After 36 seasons as the voice of the New York Yankees, John Sterling delivered a brief farewell in just 90 seconds. Honored in an on-field ceremony before Saturday’s 2-0, 10-inning loss to Tampa Bay, the 85-year-old broadcaster, flanked by his family, received gifts including a jersey with the total of his 5,631 games announced.
Addressing the sellout crowd of 47,629, Sterling expressed gratitude: “What I really want to do is to thank you and I’ll tell you why. Individual after individual, and group after group, have approached me with kindness, respect, and affection. You, the fans, have truly been exceptional to me throughout the last 36 years.”
During the first inning Roll Call, Bleacher Creatures resounded with chants of his name. Explaining the timing of his retirement at an age of 85, John Sterling, who will turn 86 on July 4, expressed his exhaustion during a pre-ceremony news conference, stating, “I’m exhausted, so I’m eager to step away from the airwaves.”
Reflecting on his decision, Sterling remarked, “I did it all wrong. I should have quit on March 1st or March 15th, but I decided I’d do one exhibition game, which is useless… When we went on that long trip, we went to Houston and Arizona, and let me tell you, I knew that was the end of it.
I didn’t want the daily grind anymore – and considering how long I’ve been at it, you can understand why. After putting in 64 years of work, and realizing that I’ll turn 86 on my next birthday, I believe it’s time for a change.”
Throughout his career, Sterling called 5,420 regular-season games, with his last against Toronto on April 7, in addition to 211 postseason games. Notably, he broadcasted 5,060 consecutive games from September 1989 through July 2019, beginning with the Yankees as a pregame host.
Over the years, he partnered with Jay Johnstone (1989-90), Joe Angel (1991), Michael Kay (1992-2001), Charley Steiner (2002-04), and Suzyn Waldman (since 2005).
Highlights of his iconic calls resonated through clips played during the ceremony. Video tributes from Paul O’Neill, Bernie Williams, and Derek Jeter added to the commemoration. Tino Martinez gifted sterling silver Yankees cufflinks, while Michael Kay and Suzyn Waldman presented an engraved silver microphone.
A large-screen television was gifted, and Haley Swindal Steinbrenner, granddaughter of the late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, presented Sterling with a special jersey. The entire Yankees team gathered around Sterling for memorable photos.