When Juan Soto went deep for his inaugural homer in Pinstripes, John Sterling reached into his bottomless well of Broadway brilliance. As the sizzling slugger’s shot sailed over the opposite-field wall, propelling the Yankees ahead against their Houston foes, the hallowed radio narrator had the perfect theatrical tribute ready.
Juan Soto’s scorching start for the Yankees continued with that seventh-inning blast, a go-ahead solo shot that handed New York a 4-3 advantage over the Astros at Minute Maid Park. And true to form, Sterling serenaded the monumental moment with a melodic masterpiece invoking the timeless Gershwin brothers’ gem, “‘S Wonderful” from their 1927 smash, Funny Face.
The longstanding voice of the Yankees deftly paid homage to both Juan Soto’s heroics and the Great White Way’s golden age with his rousing home run call. As the Yankee newcomer’s blistering bat summoned echoes of Bomber greats, Sterling’s musical magic ensured the moment’s immortality.
Juan Soto’s first homer assures Yankees 3-0 win over Astros
The crowd at Minute Maid Park exploded with deafening cheers as Juan Soto blasted a colossal home run over the left-field wall. This powerful hit by the Bronx Bombers’ newest star slugger during the seventh inning propelled the Yankees to a thrilling 5-3 triumph over the Astros, with reliever Bryan Abreu on the receiving end.
“These comeback wins are truly extraordinary,” remarked Juan Soto.
Sterling narrated the action, describing the ball’s trajectory soaring high toward the left-field fence before confidently labeling it a home run once it cleared the barrier. He proceeded to announce it as Juan Soto’s inaugural home run for the Yankees, specifying it as a fly ball down the left-field line.
Moreover, Sterling emphasized the significance of the moment, dubbing it a “Soto photo” and highlighting it as a home run to the left-field stands. Employing his trademark wordplay, he affectionately referred to Juan Soto as “Juanderful, marvelous,” melodically singing out the last three words. Concluding his commentary, he updated the score, indicating that the Yankees were now in the lead, 4-3.
Although the official statistics recorded Juan Soto’s inaugural home run with the Yankees at 349 feet and 102 mph, Sterling’s fervent commentary infused an undeniable surge of additional energy into the occasion.
Oswaldo Cabrera, who himself delivered a game-tying two-run homer, showered Juan Soto with praise. Cabrera emphasized that Soto’s excellence extended beyond the baseball diamond; he described him as a remarkable individual off the field. Cabrera conveyed the widespread admiration for Soto among teammates and fans alike. He candidly confessed that while practicing hitting alongside Soto, he couldn’t help but feel like a wide-eyed child witnessing a legendary hero in action.
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