Dave Sims fails to keep pace with Sterling standard in Yankees’ grueling season

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Dave Sims struggles with the Yankees’ demanding broadcast schedule, falls short of Sterling’s marathon standard.

Dave Sims‘ inaugural season behind the Yankees radio microphone has already tested his stamina, and Sunday night finally pushed him past his limit.

As the Bronx Bombers concluded a compelling Subway Series against the Mets with an impressive 8-2 victory, Sims was conspicuously missing from the WFAN broadcast booth. The culprit? A case of laryngitis that sidelined the seasoned broadcaster during one of the season’s most anticipated matchups.

“Anyone listening to Saturday’s game on WFAN heard my voice on its way out,” Sims shared on X, formerly Twitter. “No amount of gargling, inhaling steam, hot tea with honey, or chicken soup has made the difference. First time laryngitis sent me to the IL in my 23 years of calling baseball. Bummed to miss the rubber match of the Subway Series. Go Yankees!”

His post included an image of himself hovering over a steaming container—a time-honored remedy. Yet even veteran announcers aren’t immune to the relentless demands of a 162-game schedule, particularly under New York’s unforgiving spotlight.

The Sterling legacy looms large

Sims inherited the Yankees booth following John Sterling’s retirement, whose distinctive voice and trademark home run calls had become synonymous with Yankees broadcasts across more than three decades. Sterling, even in his eighties, rarely missed a broadcast until his final seasons, building a reputation for remarkable dependability.

That standard creates immense expectations, and despite Sims’ respected career spanning decades of MLB coverage—including his extended stint with the Seattle Mariners—the New York media environment operates by its own uncompromising standards.

Even brief absences attract scrutiny, and Sims’ missed broadcast follows recent criticism from WFAN morning personality Boomer Esiason, who questioned Sims for skipping an earlier Yankees broadcast before returning to Seattle, his former home.

“You just took the Yankee job! It’s supposed to be the job of your life,” Esiason remarked on his program. “If he had been here as long as John Sterling had been here — if John wanted to take a weekend off later on in his career, totally acceptable.”

Early challenges mount

While Sims’ professional credentials remain impeccable, the initial perception hasn’t been favorable. Between vocal fatigue, early absences, and the tremendous expectations accompanying the Yankees microphone, his freshman season has generated attention for circumstances beyond his broadcasting performance.

Sunday night saw Suzyn Waldman paired with substitute Emmanuel Barbari, who handled both analysis and play-by-play in Sims’s absence. The Yankees delivered one of their most thrilling wins this season, powered by Cody Bellinger’s Grand slam, Jorbit Vivas’ persistence, and Jasson Domínguez‘s exceptional speed—precisely the type of dramatic contest where the broadcaster’s voice often becomes as memorable as the on-field action.

Instead, it highlighted how effortlessly John Sterling once navigated such evenings, with unwavering presence and dramatic flair, regardless of conditions, itinerary, or physical strain.

Recovery window opens

Fortunately for Sims, the Yankees enjoy Monday off before beginning a three-game homestand against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. This provides a crucial recuperation period—and an opportunity to regroup as the season progresses into its summer stretch.

With the Yankees riding momentum to a 27-19 record, the hope is that Sims can soon regain his rhythm and thrive in New York’s demanding media environment.

After all, being the Yankees’ voice transcends mere employment—it’s a tradition. And in this city, reliability isn’t optional.

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