Michael Kay couldn't hold back the tears Monday afternoon as he honored the life of his dear friend and legendary Yankees broadcaster, John Sterling.
The 87-year-old Sterling passed away from heart failure Monday morning, following heart surgery he underwent after a heart attack earlier this year. While the news hit Kay hard, he used his radio show to celebrate the man who spent 36 unforgettable summers as the voice of the Yankees.
"I look at John as one of the closest friends I've ever had," Kay said on ESPN New York's airwaves, his voice thick with emotion. "And the funny part is, the people listening right now probably feel the same way. You spent 36 summers with him as the voice of the Yankees on the radio. The good news he brought you, the five championships, all the great moments—he was your friend. That's why baseball on radio is the greatest thing in any sport."
Sterling retired in April 2024 after a broadcasting career spanning more than six decades, with 36 of those years behind the Yankees' microphone. He made a brief return that fall to call the team's playoff run to the World Series before hanging up his headset for good. His legacy is defined by an incredible Iron Man streak of 5,060 consecutive games, a streak he started in 1989. But it was his signature home run calls, melodic voice, and gentle personality that made him a beloved figure to generations of fans.
"John Sterling was one of a kind," Kay continued. "I have never, ever, ever, ever in my life met anybody like him. And I know that as long as I live, I will never meet anybody like him. He was one of one."
Kay revealed he had spoken with Sterling's doctors after the broadcaster's open-heart surgery earlier this year. While the medical team was optimistic about how well the procedure went, Sterling himself was frustrated by his inability to walk after being bedridden for so long. Kay shared that he encouraged his friend to keep fighting, but ultimately, the loss of mobility took a toll on the man who had spent a lifetime on his feet, bringing baseball to life for millions.