NEW YORK — For the past couple of seasons, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has marked every victory with a familiar call that instantly brings a smile to longtime baseball fans.
“I still do this, and my coaches look at me like I’m nuts,” Boone said Monday. “I don’t even know if they know what I’m doing. But as soon as the final out is made and I get up to shake players’ hands, I go, ‘Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeee Yankees win!’ And I’m shaking all my coaches’ hands. I got goose bumps thinking about that.”
That signature call belonged to John Sterling, the beloved Yankees radio voice for parts of 36 seasons across a remarkable six-decade broadcasting career. Sterling passed away Monday at a New Jersey hospital at age 87, months after heart surgery. His enthusiastic “Theeee Yankees win!” and creative home run calls became part of Yankees lore and summer soundtracks for generations of fans.
Boone called Sterling “a giant in the sport” who did things his own way and was truly one of a kind. Before Monday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, the Yankees held a moment of silence in his honor. Longtime broadcast partners Michael Kay and Suzyn Waldman placed flowers at home plate in a touching tribute.
Sterling called 5,426 regular-season games and 225 postseason contests. He was behind the microphone for 24 Yankees playoff appearances, seven World Series trips, and five championships. He captured unforgettable moments like Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit, Alex Rodriguez’s 500th home run, and Aaron Judge’s record 62nd homer in 2022.
Judge spoke warmly about Sterling’s style: “I’m just gonna remember he brought the New York theater to the ballpark. He just brought such enthusiasm. He’s almost a kid up there on the broadcast.”
When Judge homered in the first inning Monday, Kay honored Sterling by delivering a classic call: “It is high! It is far! It is gone! Aaron Judge! A Judgian blast! Here comes the Judge!”
Boone shared lighter memories too — Sterling’s kind and encouraging words during tough stretches on the road, and his boyish reaction after getting hit by a foul ball in the booth. Boone also recalled receiving a tape of Sterling calling his famous 2003 ALCS walk-off homer, a nice gesture that perfectly captured Sterling’s personality.
Sterling was an original who brought joy and energy to every broadcast. His unmistakable voice and passion for the game will be missed, but the memories and those unforgettable calls will live on with Yankees fans forever.