Quick thoughts after John Sterling announces his retirement

The radio voice of the Yankees has called it a career. John Sterling announced his retirement Monday afternoon, effective immediately. The Yankees will honor him with a pregame ceremony this Saturday. He’ll make an appearance in the WFAN booth during the game as well.

“I am a very blessed human being,” Sterling said in a statement. “I have been able to do what I wanted, broadcasting for 64 years. As a little boy growing up in New York as a Yankees fan, I was able to broadcast the Yankees for 36 years. It’s all to my benefit, and I leave very, very happy. I look forward to seeing everyone again on Saturday.”

Now 85, Sterling has called over 5,000 Yankees games since stepping into the booth in 1989. He’s had some health trouble in recent years and has cut back on his travel and overall workload, and I hope the sudden retirement is not a sign things aren’t going well health-wise. I hope Sterling is doing well and now gets to enjoy life for many years to come. 

(I didn’t hear it myself, but supposedly Michael Kay said on his radio show this afternoon that it has more to do with Sterling being tired and ready to step away than declining health.)

Sterling is the only radio announcer I’ve ever known. I don’t listen to as many games on the radio as I once did, but all throughout high school and college, John and Suzyn were the daily listen. Even earlier than that. I used to lay in bed and listen to the last few innings on my Walkman when I should have been sleeping. There was nothing quite like waiting to hear Sterling’s home run call for a new player.

I selfishly hoped we’d get to hear one last “Well Suzyn, I thank you” or “Howdaya like that!” or “Ballgame over! Yankees win! Thaaaaa Yankees win!” John was not great at the most important part of his job (describing the action on the field), especially later in his career, but he is one of a kind. He is an institution and the soundtrack to so many great Yankees moments. If he’s not going into Monument Park on Saturday, he should soon.

I don’t know what will happen with the radio booth now. Justin Shackil and others have filled in the last few years and they’re all fine. The best fill in was Rickie Ricardo, but he’s full-time in the Spanish language booth, so he won’t replace Sterling. Announcers these days all sound the same. Sterling was unique, himself through and through, and I will miss him. We’ve known this day would come, but I’m still sad. 

Enjoy retirement, John. And go win the World Series for him, Yankees. I want to see Sterling on a float going down the Canyon of Heroes one more time this November.