John Sterling, the legendary voice of the New York Yankees on WFAN, has passed away at the age of 87. His friend Rickie Ricardo, the Spanish-language radio play-by-play announcer for the Yankees, confirmed the news to NJ.com on Monday morning, noting that Sterling had been hospitalized since Saturday.

Sterling retired in 2024 after an incredible 36-season run as the Yankees' radio broadcaster. He was a true iron man of the booth, once calling an astonishing 5,060 consecutive games. Fans will forever remember his iconic home run call—"It is high, it is far, it is gone!"—and his triumphant sign-off after every victory: "The Yankees Win!"

Over his career, Sterling called 5,420 regular-season games and 211 postseason contests. His consecutive game streak stretched from September 1989 to July 2019, a testament to his dedication. He shared the booth with a roster of talented partners over the years, including Michael Kay, Charley Steiner, and Suzyn Waldman, who worked alongside him from 2005 onward.

The news has sparked an outpouring of tributes from across the sports world. WFAN posted on X, saying, "We are devastated to hear about the passing of John Sterling, a WFAN and Yankees radio icon whose voice was synonymous with an entire generation of Yankee fandom." Others echoed the sentiment, with fans and colleagues alike remembering the man who made baseball broadcasts unforgettable.

In 2024, the Yankees honored Sterling with a special ceremony. Former stars like Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, and Paul O'Neill sent video messages, and he received an 83-inch television and a Yankees jersey bearing the number 5,631—the total number of games he called on the radio. "I never, ever dreamt that I'd be recognized," Sterling said at the time. "I told my boss earlier this might be the biggest day of my life—outside of marrying Jennifer, of course."

For generations of Yankees fans, John Sterling wasn't just a broadcaster; he was the soundtrack of summer, the voice that turned every at-bat into an event. His legacy will echo through the Bronx for years to come.