Iconic voice of US Sports passes away as emotional tributes pour in

Legendary New York Yankees radio voice John Sterling has passed away at the age of 87.

Sterling called games for the Atlanta Hawks and Braves before joining the Yankees in 1989.

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He became synonymous with New York Sports before a surprise retirement in 2024.

A brief return for the playoffs was followed by a permanent exit ahead of the 2025 season, with Dave Simms replacing him in the booth.

Sterling stayed on the air with WABC in New York, having previously called Nets and Islanders games in the 1970s.

Morning hosts Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti shared the news on the network he called home.

Sterling suffered a heart attack earlier in 2026.

“We are devastated to hear about the passing of John Sterling, a WFAN and Yankees radio icon whose voice was synonymous with an entire generation of Yankee fandom. Rest in peace, John,” posted WFAN on X.

NFL insider Adam Schefter simply posted: “Legend.”

“John Sterling was a great announcer and always a joy to be around. RIP,” wrote the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.

Sterling’s boundless energy remained throughout his career and his signature calls were unmatched.

‘Yankees win’ and ‘Sterling Shake’ were two of the best known, while the majority of the players had their own calls.

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Bernie Williams was serenaded by ‘Bern Baby Bern,’ Jason Giambi was the ‘Giambino’ and there were, of course, Alex Rodriguez ‘A-bombs.’

Sterling had four children, who he thanked for taking care of him in a typically optimistic message after his heart attack.

“I have four children, and I couldn’t have done anything without them,” he said. “Over all phases of my life.

“And as far as sports are concerned, isn’t it great to be a sports fan?

“Here I am kind of laid up in bed a lot, and the Winter Olympics were great. And I watched the basketball, and the hockey, and I’ve blessed the fact, since I’ve been a little boy, that I’m a sports fan.”

Tributes will continue to flood in over the course of the day.

“Through his unique style and passionate play-by-play calls, Sterling endeared himself to generations of players and fans as radio voice of the Yankees from 1989 to 2024,” Major League Baseball said in a statement. “His signature punctuation of Yankees victories included calling the final out of five World Series championships.”

“Very tough day,” added longtime teammate Suzyn Waldman. “But a celebration of the life of a man who lived life exactly the way he wanted is in order!”