There was something truly special about John Sterling—and it wasn't just his voice. The legendary Yankees broadcaster, who passed away at 87 this past Monday, was a one-of-a-kind talent who never pretended to be anything other than himself. And that's exactly why we loved him.

Sterling called an astonishing 5,651 games for the Bronx Bombers, most of them consecutively. He was as much a part of Yankee Stadium as the iconic facade itself. For generations of fans, his voice was the soundtrack of summer—unforgettable, theatrical, and unapologetically unique. He brought joy to the game without ever taking himself too seriously.

I'm a broadcaster too, though I've only called 109 games so far. That's a long way from 5,651, but even in this short time, I've learned that Sterling wasn't just a professional—he was an artist. And like any art form, you start by imitating the greats. I could name a hundred broadcasters whose styles I've borrowed pieces from. But John Sterling? He's not on that list. His style was simply inimitable.

Comparing Sterling to other legends always felt off. Vin Scully was baseball's poet laureate, a voice for the entire nation. Sterling was something different—more personal, more like a local talk show host who just happened to call the World Series eight times. While Scully transcended the Dodgers, Sterling was pure New York. His magic didn't always travel beyond Yankee fandom, and rival fans often didn't get the schtick. But that was the point. He wasn't for everyone—he was for us.