John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman have worked together as the New York Yankees radio commentary team for the last 18 seasons, but the team is now preparing its next generation which could very well be on display this weekend in Pittsburgh. Justin Shackil, 36, who serves as a stadium host for the team and has called several games on the radio, will be making his return to the radio booth this weekend with 24-year-old Emmanuel Berbari.
Berbari has hosted several night shifts for WFAN over the years after a college career at Fordham University. Since Sweeny Murti left WFAN, he has also been the host of the team’s pregame and postgame shows in addition to calling games for the team’s High-A affiliate, the Hudson Valley Renegades. Outside of his work with Audacy and the Yankees, Berbari has performed play-by-play duties for the Atlantic 10 Softball Championship. St. John’s University athletic events and the Chatham Anglers, which all started from his time at a Chaminade High School sportscasting camp in Mineola, N.Y.
The duo will be making history this weekend from PNC Park marking the first time that neither Sterling nor Waldman will call a Yankees game since 1989. Berbari understands the gravity of the moment and is excited and prepared for the momentous occasion.
“My passion for broadcasting began listening to and watching Yankee games,” Berbari told Andrew Marchand of the New York Post. “When I realized I had just as much interest in how the game was called as the game itself, I knew it’s exactly what i wanted to do.”
Throughout his years in sports media, Berbari has frequently sent out his play-by-play tapes for critiques and looked to receive advice from people who have experienced sustained success. The 2021 Fordham University graduate was the recipient of the Marty Glickman Award for Excellence in Play-by-Play in his sophomore, junior and senior years at the institution.
“Emmanuel has been sending me his play-by-play work for critiques since he was a freshman in college,” Shackil said. “I have never seen another young broadcaster smoothly apply constructive criticism back into his work as quickly as Emmanuel. His persistence, ambitious drive and intelligence have always stood out.”
Sterling and Waldman are both anticipated to return to the radio booth next season, but have received fill-in help this year from various broadcasters such as Ryan Ruocco, Rickie Ricardo and Brendan Burke. Sterling has been working on a reduced schedule for road games since last season and had an extended absence from the booth earlier this year due to personal matters. The legendary voice of the Yankees continues to distinguish his home run calls from others and deliver his signature win announcement after each successful contest.
Berbari was on hand for the 2020 Barrett Sports Media Summit in New York City as a winner of the company’s contest for college students. The industry conference will officially be making its return to the “Big Apple” in March 2024, as announced by Barrett Media President Jason Barrett Thursday morning.
