John Sterling, Yankees Radio Icon, Dies at 87
Beloved Yankees radio voice known for unique home run calls and 5,060 consecutive games, he died Monday at 87 after heart surgery.
FOX NewsJoe Girardi remembers John Sterling's passion, humor in emotional tribute to Yankees legend: 'I miss him'
The Gateway PunditBeloved Radio Voice of NY Yankees, John Sterling, Passes Away at 87 | The Gateway Pundit | by Margaret Flavin
Chicago Sun-TimesYankees broadcaster John Sterling, known for unique home run calls, dies at 87
ABC NewsJohn Sterling, Yankees broadcaster known for enduring home run calls, dies at 87
Overview
John Sterling died Monday at age 87 at Englewood Hospital after a heart attack and bypass surgery this winter, according to his former wife, Jennifer.
He called roughly 5,631 to 5,651 games, including 5,060 consecutive games from September 1989 through July 2019, and he retired in April 2024 before returning for the 2024 postseason.
The Yankees praised his theatrical style, and Suzyn Waldman, Joe Girardi and Aaron Boone publicly mourned him; Waldman and Michael Kay placed flowers on home plate before Monday night's game.
His signature home run calls—starting with 'It is high, it is far, it is gone!' and lines like 'Bern, baby, Bern' and 'It's an A-bomb from A-Rod'—became a Yankees touchstone.
Born Josh Sloss on July 4, 1938, he began broadcasting in 1960 and worked for the Islanders, Nets, Braves and Hawks, and he is survived by former wife Jennifer Contreras and four children.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Sterling’s death in a celebratory, nostalgic light by foregrounding his signature calls and team praise, elevating colorful anecdotes and self-deprecating quotes while omitting critical perspectives. Editorial choices — lead placement, selective quoting, and emphasis on legacy over controversy — create a reverent, personality-focused narrative.