The Yankees family and the entire baseball world are mourning the loss of legendary radio broadcaster John Sterling, who passed away at the age of 87. Sterling, the iconic voice of the Yankees for 5,631 regular-season and postseason games from 1989 to 2014, died in a hospital near his home in Edgewater, New Jersey. His remarkable run included an astonishing 5,060 consecutive games at the start of his tenure—a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for the game.
Just hours after Sterling’s passing, his longtime broadcast partner and dear friend, Suzyn Waldman, paid a heartfelt tribute during a pre-game ceremony at Yankee Stadium. Waldman, who shared the radio booth with Sterling for two decades, opened up about their unique friendship and what made him truly great. She knew this day was coming—Sterling had suffered a heart attack in January, and they had shared some good moments in the weeks that followed. Still, the phone call she knew “was coming” arrived in the middle of the night Sunday, leaving her and countless fans grappling with the reality of a world without his unmistakable voice.
“It’s not a tough day to work, that’s for sure, because John didn’t miss games,” Waldman told reporters outside the Yankees clubhouse. “He only missed one game that I can remember when his sister passed away. But no, this is not hard at all because John would want this. It’s a tough day. You don’t think it’s going to be tough when you know something’s coming. You’re waiting for a phone call. Over the last couple of months, you knew the phone call was coming. But when it does, it’s still really shocking because it’s hard to believe a world without this man in it.”
Reflecting on their first meeting, Waldman recalled being immediately captivated by Sterling’s energy and depth. Back in 1987, when she was an update person on WFAN, Sterling came in for All-Star week to host a talk show. “He stood up, cupped his hand over his ear, and talked standing up for four hours,” she remembered. “I said, ‘This must be a really interesting person.’ He could talk about anything—any sport at any time. The exchange between him and the callers was unbelievable. He also was a pretty nasty talk show host; John would really yell at people.”
Sterling was more than just a broadcaster; he was a legend who brought Yankees baseball to life with his signature home run calls and infectious enthusiasm. For fans who grew up listening to his voice, he was a constant companion through every win, loss, and unforgettable moment. As we remember John Sterling, we celebrate not only his incredible career but also the enduring bond he shared with Suzyn Waldman and the entire Yankees community. His legacy will live on in every home run call and every memory he helped create.