Legendary New York Yankees radio voice John Sterling has shocked fans by announcing his retirement, effective immediately.
Sterling, 85, announced that Saturday will be his final 5,632nd and final game in the Yankees radio booth.
Sterling famously called 5,060 consecutive games from September 1989 to July 2019.
The Yankees released a statement Monday afternoon on behalf of Sterling.
“I am a very blessed human being. 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.”
The statement from the Yankees reads in part the following:
“Fans find a certain comfort in the daily rhythms of baseball. Day in and day out, season after season, and city after city, John Sterling used his seat in the broadcast booth to bring Yankees fans the heartbeat of the game, employing an orotund voice and colorful personality that were distinctly, unmistakably his own.
John informed and entertained, and he exemplified what it means to be a New Yorker with an unapologetic and boisterous style that exuded his passion for baseball, broadcasting and the New York Yankees.
There is no shortage of adjectives to describe John and what he means to this organization and our millions of fans around the world. But what makes John a goliath of the sports broadcasting world was how sacred he held his role as voice of the Yankees.
Showing up to perform virtually every single day since 1989, he was a pillar for Yankees fans who relied on the comfort and familiarity of his voice to be the soundtrack of their spring, summer and fall.”
According to Yankees television broadcaster, Michael Kay, Sterling is not retiring due to health reasons but feels that it’s time.
