Veteran broadcaster John Sterling, 86, is stepping back into the booth for one final postseason with the New York Yankees. After retiring in mid-April following 36 years of calling Yankees games, Sterling accepted an invitation from WFAN to return in late September, giving him one last chance to potentially call a World Series.
In an interview with Sports Business Journal, Sterling expressed his deep love for broadcasting, praising his longtime partner Suzyn Waldman and describing the act of calling games as second nature. However, he acknowledged that other parts of the job had become more difficult as he was aged. The long-time voice of the Bombers sees this return as his “final hurrah,” fueled by the possibility of becoming lucky for the Yankees for another championship run.
“The games I love. The games are easy to do. I have the greatest partner (Suzyn Waldman) in the world. And sitting down and broadcasting, that’s easy,” Sterling said. “Everything else is tough for me at my age. But I look at this as kind of a final hurrah. Well, they (WFAN) asked me to. I thought I’d give it a couple days (to consider). And I figured, ‘Go ahead and do it.’ This will be the last hurrah, and maybe you’ll get lucky and they’ll go to the (World) Series. I just figured, ‘Hey, let’s give it one more shot.’”
Sterling’s decision to return came after some deliberation, but he ultimately saw it as an opportunity for “one more shot” at covering a potentially memorable postseason. His return also coincides with his nomination as a finalist for the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award, which honors excellence in baseball broadcasting.
Yankees president Randy Levine called Sterling an icon and a legend, expressing excitement about his temporary return while emphasizing the organization’s concern for Sterling’s health and well-being.
Baseball attracted Sterling to make a brief comeback
Reflecting on his brief retirement, Sterling admitted that while he enjoyed stepping away, and spending time with family and friends, he couldn’t ignore how much he missed the game. He stressed that his decision to return wasn’t out of necessity, but simply because of the joy he finds working with Waldman. After 20 years together, the two have built a seamless partnership, often skipping formal production meetings in favor of relying on their natural chemistry and ability to play off one another during games.
“Well, gee, I did it all my life. I guess I missed it,” Sterling said. “But I’m very happy being home and watching the games and going to dinner with my family and friends and all that. It isn’t like, ‘Oh my god, I miss it. I’ve got to have it.’ Not at all. But when I do the game itself, sitting down next to Suzyn, nothing could be easier for me. Just open my big fat mouth and talk. We don’t have any production meetings. We just feed off each other, and it’s been very good for 20 years.”
During his break from broadcasting, Sterling revealed that he didn’t miss a single Yankees or Mets game, taking the opportunity to enjoy baseball as a fan. He also relished the chance to spend more time with his four children during his time away from the booth.
Sterling shared that public reaction to his return has been overwhelmingly positive, noting that for 35 years, people he encounters regularly have expressed their support. Though Sterling doesn’t use computers or smartphones, his children have kept him updated on the strong reception he continues to receive online.
As for the Yankees’ chances of securing a World Series title, Sterling expressed a balanced outlook. He acknowledged the team’s strengths but was also aware of their shortcomings while noting that other contenders have their own vulnerabilities.
Looking beyond the postseason, Sterling plans to return to retirement but hinted at the possibility of staying connected to broadcasting through a weekly talk show. Though he’s not interested in resuming full-time work, he is open to exploring a more relaxed schedule that allows him to maintain a presence in the industry without the same level of commitment.
This thoughtful approach reflects Sterling’s intent to balance his passion for broadcasting with a desire to enjoy a quieter retirement, while still keeping a foot in the game he loves.
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