The baseball world lost a true original this week. Legendary New York Yankees radio voice John Sterling passed away on Monday at age 87, leaving behind a legacy that stretched far beyond the Bronx.

While the Yankees and YES Network naturally led tributes during Monday night's broadcast, it was a moment across town that truly showed Sterling's impact. During the New York Mets game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, SNY announcers Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez—who had just returned to the booth after back surgery—paused to honor the man whose voice defined Yankees baseball for generations.

The tribute came naturally after SNY aired a highlight of the Yankees' 1999 World Series victory, with Sterling's unmistakable call ringing through the broadcast.

"Well, like everybody else around baseball, and all of broadcasting, Keith and I were very sad today to hear of the passing of John Sterling," Cohen began, his voice carrying the weight of the moment. "John was one of a kind. He was unique in everything he did. He was a sweetheart of a man. And I was very proud to call him my friend."

Hernandez, never one to miss a chance for a good story, shared a lighter memory. "Yeah, he was a gentleman," the former Mets first baseman recalled. "He always came up and said 'Hello' to me. I kind of did his 'Yankees win' like this (showing the iconic hand motion), and I mimicked him. He thought I was making fun of him. I had to say, 'John, I'm not making fun of you. I love that call.'"

Cohen then took listeners on a trip through New York sports history, reminding fans that Sterling's voice was part of the city's fabric long before he became synonymous with Yankees radio. "When I was growing up, John was one of the first to have a call-in talk show on WMCA back in the early '70s," Cohen said. "He was bombastic at times, but knowledgeable. Everybody who was into sports in New York listened to John on that show. They'd all imitate him."

Sterling's career was remarkably versatile. He called hockey games for the New York Raiders of the WHA alongside former Yankees pitcher Fritz Peterson. "John would lose his voice by the third period," Cohen added with a knowing smile, "and Fritz would have to take over play-by-play."

For fans who grew up with the crackle of a transistor radio in their ears, Sterling wasn't just an announcer—he was the soundtrack of summer in New York. His signature home run calls and theatrical style made him an icon, whether you rooted for the pinstripes or against them. In a city that loves its sports rivalries, moments like this remind us that the game itself—and the voices that bring it to life—can bring everyone together.