Isaac Gramse ’26
EE Staff Writer
For many people, their earliest memories of baseball involve listening to the game over the radio. If you were a Mets fan you listened to Howie Rose, if you were a Red Sox fan you listened to Joe Castiglione, but if you were a Yankees fan, then you listened to the voice of legendary broadcaster John Sterling. Unfortunately, the man who had become iconic for his unique home run calls has passed away at the age of 87.
The voice of the New York Yankees had joined the broadcast team in 1989, and would call 5,060 consecutive games up until 2019, and retire just 5 years later in 2024 due to health. During his time in the booth, however, he was able to broadcast 8 different World Series berths and 5 World Series titles; and call every moment of hall of fame players like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.
What Sterling was most recognized for, was his unique home run calls and love for the National Pastime. Sterling made sure to have a creative phrase to say whenever a Yankee would go deep. Some of these iconic sayings include:
“Bern, Baby, Bern!” (Bernie Williams)
“A Thrilla by Godzilla!” (Hideki Matsui)
“Didi Gregorius Makes Yankee Fans Euphorius!” (Didi Gregorius)
“A Judgian Blast! All Rise, Here Comes the Judge!” (Aaron Judge)
His legacy wasn’t just because of his phrases, however. He was recognized as someone who loved the game of baseball by fans of all teams. What separated Sterling from the bunch was that he would cheer on the other team when they did something great and he wasn’t afraid to criticize the Yankees when they were performing below expectations.
Following his death, three different broadcasting teams have done something in honor of him. Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay used Sterling’s home run call following an Aaron Judge home run, The Mets radio used his iconic Yankees win phrase, saying “Ballgame over, Mets win! Theeeeee Mets Win!”, and the White Sox broadcasters would use the phrase “It is high, it is far, it is gone!” after a Munetaka Murakami home run.
The Yankees held a ceremony honoring him on the day of his death before their game against the Baltimore Orioles where they won 12-1. And they have announced that starting on May 18, until the end of the 2026 season, they will wear a patch on their jersey to commemorate the late broadcaster.
Thank you John for all the wonderful memories and may you rest in peace.
John Sterling, 1938-2026