MLB Fans Share Emotional Reactions to Yankees Broadcaster John Sterling’s Retirement

Kristen Wong | Apr 15, 2024

Bob Karp/Staff Photographer / USA TODAY

John Sterling, the unmistakable voice of the New York Yankees for over three decades, is calling it quits.

The legendary Yankees play-by-play broadcaster announced his retirement on Monday and will be honored in a pregame ceremony at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, April 20. In total, Sterling called 5,420 regular season Yankees games along with 211 postseason Yankees games since 1989. 

Sterling issued the following statement on his departure:

“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 85-year-old Sterling hinted at being “near the end” of his broadcasting career earlier this April and has already cut back on road game assignments this past season. 

“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,” the Yankees said in a statement. “We congratulate John on a remarkable and illustrious career. His contributions to this great game and to the Yankees franchise will echo long into the future.”

In response to the news, MLB fans poured out their love and appreciation for the radio legend and thanked Sterling for the unforgettable memories.

Here's the final call of John Sterling's career - Dennis Santana striking out Cavan Biggio.

Sterling's final game was on April 7, 2024. The Yankees defeated the Blue Jays 8-3 pic.twitter.com/RZaMbkaTxU

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) April 15, 2024

Happy retirement to John Sterling pic.twitter.com/o3cnpSkKGV

— Steve Perrault (@Steve_Perrault) April 15, 2024

The sun will come out Tanaka.

John Sterling, forever and ever. pic.twitter.com/2lViYV2VRS

— Max Mannis (@MaxMannis) April 15, 2024

“They have surmounted every challenge, they have climbed every mountain.”

You will be missed, John Sterling 💙

pic.twitter.com/S3HgQVbl4D

— Chris (@Chris_NYY28) April 15, 2024

John Sterling giving me my own home run call was one of the best moments ever for me. A true class act. I will miss him so much. pic.twitter.com/CEyk6RRGZF

— Madyson (@Majorleaguemadd) April 15, 2024

The people whose voice I’ve heard the most in my life: my mom, my dad and John Sterling.

Even if that’s an exaggeration- gotta be 5000 three hour games- it’s not by much. Mellifluous, bombastic, wonderfully gas baggy: everything you want in your home team baseball announcer.… https://t.co/XTCVyrWMqo

— Tony Reali (@TonyReali) April 15, 2024

35 years of absolute greatness.

Thank you John Sterling 🐐 pic.twitter.com/T3EFqdXr63

— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) April 15, 2024

Dear 2024 Yankees, please win the World Series for John Sterling.

— Madyson (@Majorleaguemadd) April 15, 2024

John Sterling will never call Yankees baseball ever again pic.twitter.com/ec2HrULfYI

— Bronx Central (@BronxCentral) April 15, 2024

We throw around the word “legend” a lot. John Sterling is a legend. His impact on the game will live forever. https://t.co/pFXTVXH37X

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) April 15, 2024