EDGEWATER, NJ (VINnews)-John Sterling, the unmistakable radio voice of the New York Yankees for 36 seasons and a beloved figure whose bombastic calls became synonymous with Yankees baseball, died on May 4, 2026, at the age of 87. His passing was announced by WFAN, the team’s radio flagship. He died at a hospital in Englewood, New Jersey, from complications related to heart failure following recent health issues, including a heart attack earlier in 2026.

Born John Sloss on July 4, 1938, in New York City, Sterling grew up on Manhattan’s Upper East Side as a Yankees fan, absorbing radio broadcasts and dreaming of one day calling games himself. He attended Moravian College, Boston University, and Columbia University’s School of General Studies before launching his broadcasting career at a small station in Wellsville, New York. He later changed his last name to Sterling for its professional appeal.

A Storied Career Across Sports

Sterling’s early work included play-by-play for the Baltimore Bullets (NBA), Morgan State football, New York Islanders (NHL), New Jersey Nets (ABA/NBA), and a stint with the Atlanta Braves and Hawks. He returned to New York in 1989 to become the Yankees’ primary radio play-by-play announcer on WABC, later moving to WFAN.

Over his tenure, Sterling called more than 5,600 games, including a remarkable streak of 5,060 consecutive regular-season games from 1989 to 2019. He broadcast every game of Derek Jeter’s Hall of Fame career and every pitch thrown by Mariano Rivera. He was on the call for eight World Series, including the five championship runs in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009.

His partners in the booth included Michael Kay (1992–2001) and, most enduringly, Suzyn Waldman (2005–2024), forming a partnership filled with chemistry, inside jokes, and shared passion for the team.

Signature Style and Iconic Calls

Sterling was known for his theatrical, larger-than-life delivery, deep baritone, and unapologetic Yankees fandom. His most famous sign-off after victories — “Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!” — echoed through car radios, beaches, and living rooms for generations, growing longer and more emphatic after dramatic wins or titles.

He pioneered personalized home run calls, a tradition that delighted fans:

Bernie Williams: “Bernie goes boom!” or “Bern, Baby, Bern!”

Derek Jeter: “Jeter, Jeter, Jeter!”

Alex Rodriguez: “An A-bomb from A-Rod!”

Aaron Judge: “All rise! Here comes the Judge!” or “It’s a Judgian blast!”

Others included “The Giambino!” for Jason Giambi, “Robbie Canó, don’tcha know!” and creative ones for later players like Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto.

His standard home run call — “It is high! It is far! It is gone!” — became a staple, though he was occasionally criticized for jumping the gun on fly balls due to his enthusiastic style. Supporters saw it as part of his charm: a broadcaster who lived and died with every pitch.

Later Years, Retirement, and Legacy

Sterling slowed his schedule in his final seasons, citing travel fatigue, and announced his retirement in April 2024. He returned for the final homestand and postseason, with his last call coming in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. Post-retirement, he hosted a weekly talk show on WABC.

A 12-time Sports Emmy winner (including for his work on YES Network’s Yankeeography), he was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame and was a multiple finalist for the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award.

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and the organization praised Sterling as a “pillar” who brought excitement and passion to broadcasts. Michael Kay called him part of the “Yankee firmament,” while Aaron Boone and players like Aaron Judge remembered his dedication and wit.

Sterling is survived by his children, including triplets born in 2000. He lived in Edgewater, New Jersey, and faced health challenges later in life, including a blood infection in 2020 and a foul ball incident in 2023 that he shook off to continue broadcasting.

John Sterling wasn’t just the voice of the Yankees — for millions of fans, he was Yankees baseball on summer nights. His calls will echo in highlight reels and memories for decades. The pinstripes have lost one of their most enduring icons.

Theeeeee Yankees — and their fans — will miss him dearly.