On November 14, 2024, WFAN announced the name of Dave Sims as the replacement for legendary John Sterling, who dominated the Yankees booth for four decades.
Dave Sims ‘ journey epitomizes the American dream in sports broadcasting from the bustling streets of Philadelphia to the hallowed broadcast booths of Major League Baseball. Born Valentine’s Day in 1953, in Philadelphia, PA, Dave Sims has transformed himself from a young sports enthusiast at Chestnut Hill Academy into one of baseball’s most distinctive voices and is now set to command the airwaves for the legendary New York Yankees.
Prior to the Yankees booth role, Dave Sims was the television play-by-play announcer for the Seattle Mariners. His contributions to sports media have earned him multiple accolades, including being named the Washington State Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Additionally, he co-hosted “Basketball and Beyond with Coach K” alongside Mike Krzyzewski on Sirius XM Satellite Radio.
It all began for Dave Sims during college days
At Bethany College in West Virginia, Dave Sims wasn’t just studying mass communications – he was living the athletic life he would later narrate. The sportscaster played as a catcher for the Bison baseball team and participated in varsity football, where he ranked third in kickoff returns in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. His unique perspective as a former athlete would later inform his insightful commentary style.
Breaking ground in multiple arenas
Dave Sims’ career trajectory reads like a masterclass in versatility. He cut his teeth as a sportswriter for the New York Daily News but transitioned to television, working as a sports reporter for the Satellite News Channel in the early 1980s. His career got a huge boost with pioneering sports talk radio at WNBC’s “SportsNight,” a five-hour nightly sports call-in show that was a precursor to the all-sports talk format later popularized by WFAN, which he was part from 1986 to 1988.
The 1988 Olympics marked his debut on the national stage, covering track and field for NBC Sports. Dave Sims then co-hosted the midday show with Ed Coleman on New York’s Sports Radio 66 WFAN from September 1989 to February 1993. The sportscaster also served as a weekend sports anchor at WCBS-TV in New York between 1995 and 1998 and was a radio host for the New York Knicks from 1986 to 1993.
The voice of the game
Dave Sims’ play-by-play announcing career commenced between 1990 and 1992 as the radio voice for Temple Owls football in the Big East Conference. He then became the television voice for the Big East Conference football game of the week during 1993 to1994 and again from 1998 to 2007. In 1991, Dave Sims joined ESPN as a play-by-play announcer for college basketball and expanded his repertoire to include college football in 1998, primarily covering Big East contests on the ESPN Plus regional network. Starting in 2016, he began broadcasting college basketball games for FOX and FS1.
His signature style emerged during his Seattle Mariners tenure, where catchphrases like “Giddy up! Baby!” and “Boomstick Baby!” became part of baseball’s modern lexicon. Each call carried not just excitement but authenticity – a Dave Sims hallmark that sets him apart in the broadcast booth.
He held the position of the second broadcaster for NFL on Westwood One Sports’s Sunday afternoon doubleheader before securing the permanent play-by-play role for Sunday Night Football in 2006, replacing Joel Meyers. He continued in this capacity until 2012. From 2013 to 2014, Dave Sims returned to Sunday afternoon NFL broadcasts, collaborating with former NFL quarterback Mark Malone. Additionally, he called college basketball games for Westwood One from 1998 to 2014, with a notable highlight being the 2006 regional final where the 11th-seeded George Mason upset top-seeded Connecticut to reach the Final Four.
While engaged in other sports, Dave Sims occasionally provided MLB play-by-play for ESPN between 1993 and 1994 and hosted an internet radio show for MLB.com from 1999 to 2000. In 2007, he embraced a full-time role in baseball as part of the Seattle Mariners’ television broadcast team, becoming one of the few African-American broadcasters in the sport’s history. His broadcast partner was former Mariners third baseman Mike Blowers. In 2009, Dave Sims also served as the television play-by-play host for the United Football League on Versus.
Making history
In 2012, Dave Sims achieved a broadcasting feat for the ages – calling two perfect games in a single season. First came Philip Humber’s masterpiece on April 21 against the Mariners. Just four months later, Felix Hernandez threw the first perfect game in Mariners’ history, with Dave Sims calling the game for Root Sports in Seattle. This marked the first time a broadcaster called two perfect games in the same MLB season.
The Yankees voice
The 2024 marks a new era as Dave Sims steps into one of broadcasting’s most prestigious roles – the voice of the New York Yankees. Following the legendary John Sterling, he brings his wealth of experience and distinctive style to baseball’s most storied franchise.
Dave Sims is known for his energetic and engaging broadcasting style, often incorporating memorable catchphrases during Mariners broadcasts. Some of his notable expressions include “Giddy up! Baby! Giddy up!” used during exciting plays or potential home runs, “Bye-Bye!” for home runs, and “Boomstick Baby!” whenever Nelson Cruz hit a home run. He also used “Holy Mackerel” or “How about that?” for exciting plays, “Bro-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-ther” after particularly dispiriting losses or plays, “Hey Now!” following game-changing moments, and “Got him!” when a Mariners pitcher struck out an opposing batter. Dave Sims believes in informing his audience when a pitcher is working on a no-hitter, emphasizing the importance of keeping viewers aware of the game’s developments.
Legacy beyond the booth
Dave Sims’ impact extends beyond his calls. As one of MLB’s few African-American broadcasters, he’s been a pioneer for diversity in sports media. His multiple Washington State Sportscaster of the Year awards (2018-2020) reflect not just excellence but consistency at the highest level.
Dave Sims represents more than just a broadcaster; he embodies the evolution of sports media itself. From his early days covering multiple sports to becoming a cornerstone voice in baseball, he continues to demonstrate that authentic passion, combined with professional excellence, creates an enduring legacy in American sports.
His journey from Philadelphia’s playing fields to the Yankees’ broadcast booth isn’t just a career progression – it’s a testament to the power of pursuing one’s passion while breaking barriers along the way. As he brings his distinctive voice to Yankees broadcasts, Dave Sims continues to write new chapters in an already remarkable story.
What do you think? Can he fill in Sterling’s legendary shoes? Leave your comment below.
