John Sterling’s time away from the New York Yankees“The broadcast booth is coming to an end as the team’s longtime radio announcer will return to do the play-in play in October.
Sterling, 86, announced his immediate retirement in April, saying he did not have the “strength and endurance” to continue in that role. He has called Yankees games since 1989, representing 5,420 regular season games and 211 playoff games.
According to Andrew Marchand of The AthleticSterling will do the Yankees home and away playoff play-by-play and will return with his longtime broadcast partner, Suzyn Waldman.
“What I really miss is broadcasting with Suzyn, who is a fabulous partner,” Sterling said. Evan and Tiki on WFAN Thursday afternoon. “This will give me one last chance and I will work with Suzyn again.”
Sterling added that he would return to the booth for the Yankees’ final home game of the season later this month.
Justin Shackil, Rickie Ricardo and Emmanuel Berbari have taken over radio commentary duties for the Yankees since Sterling’s sudden retirement in mid-April.
Sterling said he’s been keeping busy watching and listening to Yankees games and that once this short return is over, he’ll have a busy schedule with football, basketball and hockey seasons on the horizon.
“Sports will always be my life,” he said. “I love it.”
The Yankees paid tribute to Sterling a few days after his announcement in April. When he reunited with his former radio partner Michael Kay in the YES Network television booth, Sterling said his tank was empty when asked if he planned to watch a game later in the season and that he wished he could commentate on the event.
“No,” Sterling said. “I’m exhausted. Mel Stottlemyre was telling the pitcher in his last inning, ‘Empty the tank.’ Well, my tank is empty.”
Marchand noted that Sterling’s return to radio is not expected to extend until the 2025 season.
