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Former WFAN host and longtime New York resident Dave Sims was named the new radio play-by-play voice of the New York Yankees this week. Sims was welcomed back to the station this morning by WFAN morning hosts Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti. He had been the television voice of the Seattle Mariners since 2007.
Sims, 71, will take over for 86-year-old John Sterling who retired a few games into last season before coming back at the end of the season and post-season, which saw the team advance to the World Series. Sims will work with his longtime friend Suzyn Waldman.
After exchanging pleasantries, and offering congratulations, Sims said, “This is one of the big moments in my life, to come back home to do the Yankees, forget about it. It’s tremendous. I couldn’t be more excited, and psyched to work with Suzyn. We stay in touch all the time, and see each other during games and everything, so we go way back.
Sims and Esiason worked together in the past and reminisced about those times. Giannotti marveled at how good Sims looked and Sims shared that he had been a lot heavier but dropped weight, feels good and looks forward to what’s ahead.
Esiason added, “It’s amazing. They actually went to a much younger man this time!”
The three then discussed the team and the job, noting that baseball broadcasters really need to love the game to get through the long seasons, especially when the team is not doing well.
“You’ve got to love the guys, the guys on your team, and love meeting and interacting with everybody. I think I was taught a long time ago that that is one of the primo, you know, foundations of doing the gig, because it’s such a conversational sport,” Sims said.
“I like to think I know just about everybody in the league over the last 18 years, the managers and everything. It’s an absolute thrill to come back here, I mean, you talk about the New York Yankees, it’s the brand of brands in sports. When you’re talking about not only domestically, but internationally, it’s one of the top three logos, one of the top three brands in the world.”
Giannotti later added, “I think you’re the perfect guy at the perfect time for this job, as well. I know some younger guys were filling in. They did a great job, but you’ve got such a legend like John [Sterling] who has been doing it, and his style is what his style is. And then a younger guy comes in to try to find their voice, and sometimes it’s tough for them. Should I go over the top? What should I be? And you’re someone who’s been doing it for so long, at such a high level. You can come in, be yourself, and be Dave Sims, and one of the best play-by-play guys. I think that’s why it works.”
Sims responded, “John’s great. I’m glad he came back for the postseason, and he certainly will be missed.”
“Well, you can’t write the history of WFAN without Dave Simms,” Giannotti added. “And now you’ve got another chapter here as you come back.”
Sims said, “Really, I mean, it’s crazy. I mean, I’m still trying to sort it out. It’s like, wow, this has really happened, man.”
