Dave Sims excited to fill big shoes in Yankees booth, Sterling mulls weekly show

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Dave Sims, the newly named radio voice of the Yankees, has been overwhelmed with congratulations following the announcement of his appointment. Messages have poured in from personal contacts, social media followers, and a host of distinguished colleagues from across the sports broadcasting world.  

Sims, who previously served as the Mariners’ TV play-by-play announcer, is gearing up for his new role calling Yankees games. He looks forward to witnessing the iconic roll call from the bleacher faithful at Yankee Stadium, but now from the booth rather than as a visitor.  

Sims reflected on his strong ties to New York, even though he hails from Philadelphia. He shared his excitement over the warm reception he’s received and highlighted the enthusiasm he and his soon-to-be broadcast partner, Suzyn Waldman, share about the opportunity ahead.  

“I’m born in Philly, but I’ve been in New York all my life,” he said in a weekend interview with NJ Advance Media. “Everybody is like, ‘Dude, it’s great to have you home.’ I’m really excited. Suzyn is thrilled. I’m thrilled. It’s all good!”

The move marks a return to familiar territory for Sims, whose extensive broadcasting career includes time in New York. His partnership with Waldman on WFAN promises to bring a wealth of experience and energy to Yankees broadcasts.

Sims proud to join the Yankees booth

The sportscaster also opened up about the personal significance of his new role with the Yankees. He fondly recalled his early memories of baseball, dating back to watching the 1957 World Series between the Milwaukee Braves and the Yankees. Though Sims grew up in Philadelphia during a time when the Phillies struggled, his passion for the game never wavered.

“Having grown up a baseball fan, I remember watching my first World Series in ‘57,” he said. “The Milwaukee Braves and the Yankees. Growing up in Philly, watching some more, more often than not, bad Philly teams, but I love baseball . You’re talking about one of the top one, two or three sports brands and maybe a top-10 brand of any kind in the world. Friends of mine have been saying it’s the New York freaking Yankees, come on! This is a big deal. Really, I’m just overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to be able to be in this position.”

Sims expressed pride in joining a franchise he views as one of the most iconic sports brands worldwide. He shared the excitement of friends who recognized the prestige of the Yankee‘s position, and he voiced deep gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of such a storied organization.

On succeeding John Sterling, Sims spoke with great admiration for the legendary broadcaster. He reminisced about their early professional connection in the late 1970s when Sterling called Nets games and Sims covered the Mets for the Daily News. Sims expressed awe at becoming part of the Yankees’ rich broadcasting legacy, following in the footsteps of legends like Bill White, Frank Messer, Mel Allen, and Red Barber, while also acknowledging Sterling’s extraordinary accomplishment of calling more than 5,000 games.

“John’s a legend,” he said. “John’s been around for years. I know John dating back to when he was doing the Nets on Radio, and I was covered the Mets for the Daily News. We’re talking about the late 70s. John’s career speaks for itself. Following a guy who put in that much time and 5,000 plus games and continuing in a line with Bill White, Frank Messer, Mel Allen, Red Barber, are you kidding me? Wow! That’s amazing.

In discussing his West Coast experience, Dave Sims shared how he maintained a strong connection to New York media, frequently tuning in to 1010 WINS and following broadcasts by John Sterling, Suzyn Waldman, and Michael Kay. Reflecting on his broadcasting style, Sims noted that his approach is shaped by his past experience succeeding Hall of Famer Dave Niehaus in Seattle. He likened stepping into these iconic roles to a well-known sports management principle, emphasizing that this is his second time following a legendary figure.

Sims outlined his broadcasting philosophy for Yankees fans, stressing his commitment to engaging discussions and energetic delivery. While he embraces team loyalty, he also respects opposing players, citing his fair coverage of stars like Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout during his Mariners tenure. His 18 years with the team, he said, helped him build strong relationships within baseball, proving the success of his approach.

“I like to have good baseball conversations, he said. “I love to bring that energy. Want to call me a homer? Go ahead. I don’t care. When I was in Seattle,I always wanted the Mariners to win. I didn’t denigrate anybody else. I didn’t diminish other teams, which I saw a lot of [Shohei] Ohtani, [Mike] Trout and all those guys. I’m going to tell it like it is. If they’re playing great, it’s going to be noted. If they’re not playing well, it’s going to be noted.”

Drawing from his Philadelphia roots and years of experience in the Northeast, Sims expressed confidence in his ability to connect with the passionate Yankees fan base. He pointed to the positive feedback he received from Mariners fans as a testament to his broadcasting skills and suggested that Yankees supporters might appreciate his style in a similar way.

Sims acknowledged the dramatic shifts in fan sentiment common to Northeast sports culture, but he was enthusiastic about the challenge ahead. He cited the strong endorsements from his time in Seattle as an indication of his potential success in New York.

H also spoke with enthusiasm about his upcoming partnership with Suzyn Waldman, noting their long-standing professional relationship and the discussions they had about potentially working together. He expressed excitement about the opportunity finally coming to fruition.

Reflecting on the Yankees’ recent World Series performance, Sims pointed to the pivotal fifth inning of Game 5, acknowledging the heartbreak of the moment. He shared empathy for the team, mentioning his personal connections with players like Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, which were cultivated through regular interactions over the years.

Looking ahead, Sims analyzed potential roster moves, naming Juan Soto as a key target for the Yankees, while also identifying Anthony Santander and Christian Walker as viable alternatives. He expressed confidence in general manager Brian Cashman’s ability to make impactful additions and suggested that the team—both returning players and newcomers—would be highly motivated to chase another World Series title.

He also reflected on his firsthand experience of the Yankees’ playoff atmosphere, recounting his attendance at Game 2 of the Cleveland series. He praised the electric energy at Yankee Stadium, particularly during postseason games, calling it unmatched in sports.

Sterling plans for weekly talkshow hosting

During a recent appearance on Foul Territory, John Sterling reflected on Dave Sims’ appointment as his successor in the WFAN Yankees broadcast booth. Sterling, who helmed Yankees radio broadcasts full-time from 1989 until this past season, praised Sims as a worthy choice and noted their professional relationship stretches back to the 1970s. At the time, Sterling was calling New Jersey Nets games, while Sims was covering the Mets for the Daily News.

Sterling highlighted the strong rapport between Sims and Suzyn Waldman, his longtime broadcast partner, predicting a seamless transition. Rather than offering specific advice, Sterling encouraged Sims to stay authentic, sharing that his own hallmark has always been spontaneity, both in broadcasting and in life.

“Dave and I have been friends since the 70’s when he was writing for the Daily News and I was broadcasting the New Jersey Nets out Piscataway. And Dave and Suzyn [Waldman] are good friends — very good friends,” he said. “So they’ll have no problems at all. And I don’t give advice. I broadcast the way I broadcast, by the seat of my pants. I also live life that way — by the seat of my pants. I would tell Dave Sims, or anyone else who does that job, just be yourself! Sell yourself on the air and people will listen to it.”

Sterling, 86, capped his full-time broadcasting tenure earlier this year but returned to call the Yankees’ playoff games. He hinted at future media endeavors, including a potential weekly talk show with Audacy New York, and reminisced about his decades of experience hosting such programs. While open to occasionally calling games at Yankee Stadium, Sterling noted he has no plans to travel for broadcasts, signaling the end of an era on the road.

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