New York Yankees legendary radio play-by-play voice John Sterling knows his broadcasting career is coming to an end. When that will be, well that depends on how he feels.
Sterling is now 85 years old and has been broadcasting for almost 65 years. Recently, he called his 36th Yankees home opener and he allowed The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty to observe.
When Kuty asked Sterling how much longer he plans to do this, his reply was, “Not very.” He then said, “Obviously, “I’m near the end. I’ve been on the air 64 years and I’m so tired of traveling. The games are fine. They’re easy.”
Sterling continued, “When I start doing the game, it’s the easiest thing that I do. By far. Everything else is tough for me at this age — and being alone and having to do everything myself.”
Sterling and his broadcast partner Suzyn Waldman are now in their 20th year working together with Sterling doing mostly home games and a few close road games this season. Justin Shackil and Emmanuel Berbari will work with Waldman when Sterling is not calling a game.
Audacy’s New York Market President Chris Oliviero told Kuty, about Sterling, “What John means to (WFAN) is what he means to fans who listen to Yankees games. He’s beloved. He’s the voice of this generation’s Yankees run. History is going to look at him as one of the most important personalities of the Yankees even though he’s never put pinstripes on.”
