John Sterling, the legendary voice of New York Yankees baseball, made a brief return to the radio booth after stepping away earlier this season. The 86-year-old broadcaster, who retired after calling over 5,000 consecutive games in a career spanning 36 years, returned on Tuesday to call the Yankees’ game against the Baltimore Orioles on WFAN.
John Sterling shared that he had kept his announcing skills sharp during his hiatus, practicing his signature home run calls while at home, especially when Yankees slugger Aaron Judge went deep.
“When someone hit one, when [Aaron] Judge hit one, I’m lying in bed, I’ll say, ‘It’s high, it’s far’ …,” he explained.
His return will cover the Yankees’ final six home games of the regular season and continue throughout the team’s postseason run. WFAN executive Chris Oliviero proposed the arrangement, which allows John Sterling to lend his iconic voice to the broadcasts without the grueling demands of a 162-game schedule.
John Sterling has hinted that while he may be stepping back from calling games full-time, he’s not ready to leave radio entirely. He has expressed interest in hosting a weekly show, though he admitted that securing a radio deal would be the first step. In typical Sterling fashion, he quipped about the importance of being on air on February 1, 2024, which would mark exactly 65 years since he launched his radio career.
Speaking with The Post, John Sterling admitted to mixed feelings about coming back, expressing both excitement and apprehension. While his enthusiasm for calling games remained strong, he cited the challenging travel schedule as a key factor in his decision to retire. This limited stint, focusing on home games and potentially shorter playoff series, seemed like a more feasible option.
With his usual humor, John Sterling joked about the effort involved in returning to the Yankees booth.
“It’s a little frightening [being back], actually,” Sterling said. “I didn’t want to do this every day. Chris (WFAN owner) asked me, ‘How are you traveling [to the playoff games], are you OK with that? I said, ‘In the playoffs, the most you go away for is three games.’ I think I’m ready. I’ll see.”
Waldman hints at why John Sterling took retirement
John Sterling’s longtime broadcast partner, Suzyn Waldman, weighed in on his return. Though surprised, Waldman acknowledged Sterling’s deep love for broadcasting Yankees games. She explained that it wasn’t the game itself John Sterling had tired of but rather the extensive travel that had become difficult with age.
“I had a feeling that eventually he was going to miss it,” she said. “Not necessarily come back but I knew he was going to miss it. Because the games were what he loved so much. It was the other stuff. The travel. The 162 games. And he’s entitled at this age not to want to travel. But he’s going to do it now and he’s all excited.”
John Sterling’s return to the Yankees’ radio booth has underscored the special bond he shares with his long-time broadcast partner, Suzyn Waldman. Their collaboration, which has spanned decades, is defined by a deep mutual understanding of the game and a shared approach to what they call it.
At 78, Waldman reflected on their professional relationship, noting that both she and John Sterling bring a generational perspective to the game that sets them apart from modern, data-heavy broadcasting trends. She explained that they analyze baseball through traditional observation and player instincts, rather than relying on analytics and statistical predictions, a method that resonates with fans who appreciate the “feel” of the game.
Waldman also praised John Sterling’s impact on Yankees fans, likening his status to that of the legendary Mel Allen. She remarked that multiple generations have grown up hearing only his voice narrate Yankees baseball, making the task of finding his successor a formidable challenge.
WFAN has tested various announcers alongside Waldman this season, but none have been able to fully fill the void left by John Sterling’s retirement. The search highlights just how unique the legend’s style and connection with listeners have been over the years.
His return offers him a chance to reconnect with his passion for the game, and for Yankees fans, it provides another opportunity to hear the familiar voice that has become a staple of their baseball experience for decades.
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