"Thuuhhh Yankees win!" — a voice synonymous with New York Yankees baseball for 36 seasons has fallen silent.
John Sterling, the iconic radio play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees from 1989 to 2024, died Monday at age 87. His death was reported by multiple sources. Sterling had suffered a heart attack and undergone bypass surgery earlier this year. According to his former wife, Jennifer, he died of complications at Englewood Hospital in Edgewater, New Jersey.
Career
- Sterling called 5,631 to 5,651 regular-season and postseason games for the New York Yankees over 36 seasons.
- He covered eight World Series appearances and five championships (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009).
- He called every game of Derek Jeter's 20-year career and every pitch thrown by Mariano Rivera.
- He missed his first game on July 4, 2019, ending a streak of 5,060 consecutive regular-season games spanning from September 1989 to July 2019.
Background
- Born John Sloss (birth name Josh Sloss per some reports) on July 4, 1938, in Manhattan. He changed his name to Sterling early in his career.
- First radio job in 1960 or 1961 in Wellsville, New York.
- Announced for the New York Islanders (1975–78), the Atlanta Braves (1982–87), and the Atlanta Hawks (1981–89) before joining the Yankees in 1989.
- Also worked for the Baltimore Colts, Washington Bullets, and New Jersey Nets.
- He retired in April 2024, briefly returned to broadcast the 2024 postseason, and later hosted a weekly radio show in 2025.
Known For
Sterling was known for a distinctive baritone voice and signature phrases, including "Thuuhhh Yankees win!" and personalized home run calls for players. Sterling stated these calls were not premeditated but began with Bernie Williams and grew organically. Examples include:
- "Bernie goes boom! Bern, baby, Bern!" for Bernie Williams
- "It's a Jeter jolt!" for Derek Jeter
- "An A-bomb from A-Rod" for Alex Rodriguez
- "The Giambino!" for Jason Giambi
- "A thrilla from Godzilla!" for Hideki Matsui
He dressed in a suit and tie for radio broadcasts and had a long partnership with color commentator Suzyn Waldman.
Personal Life
Sterling was married to Jennifer Contreras, with multiple sources indicating a marriage spanning 12 years or from 1993 to 2004. He is survived by four children: Abigail, and triplets Bradford, Derek, and Veronica.