In a surprising turn of events, John Sterling, the iconic radio voice synonymous with the New York Yankees, is stepping out of retirement to once again grace the airwaves for the upcoming postseason. Sources close to the agreement confirmed on Thursday that the 86-year-old broadcasting legend, who initially retired in April, will rejoin WFAN to call Yankees playoff games, fulfilling a prerequisite set by station executives. He is set to reunite with his long-time broadcast partner, Suzyn Waldman, in a move that is sure to delight Yankees fans. To prepare for the high-stakes playoff atmosphere, Sterling is anticipated to warm up by calling the final six regular-season home games.
Sterling himself expressed his enthusiasm, particularly highlighting his cherished on-air partnership. “The thing I missed most was working with Suzyn,” Sterling told The Athletic, underscoring the camaraderie that has defined their broadcasts for years.
This year has seen a trio of play-by-play announcers – Justin Shackil, Rickie Ricardo, and Emmanuel Berbari – take the reins in Sterling’s absence. When the possibility of Sterling’s postseason return first surfaced last month, reported by The Athletic, Sterling voiced concern about potentially overshadowing the current team.
However, WFAN’s leadership, spearheaded by Chris Oliviero, president of Audacy New York, extended a formal offer to Sterling on Thursday, which he accepted. The decision also received the nod of approval from top Yankees management the previous week, signaling a unified front in bringing back the beloved announcer for what is hoped to be an extended playoff run.
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John Sterling is honored during a pregame ceremony at Yankee Stadium.](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5418463/2024/04/16/yankees-john-sterling-honored-retirement/)
While this return marks a thrilling chapter for fans anticipating hearing Sterling’s signature calls during crucial October baseball, it is widely expected to be a final encore. Sterling is anticipated to resume his retirement after the Yankees’ playoff journey concludes. Having dedicated 36 years of his remarkable 64-year broadcasting career to calling Yankees games, Sterling’s voice has become inextricably linked with the team’s history. He began the current season in the booth but announced his retirement shortly after, making this return even more poignant.
Earlier in April, the Yankees organization held a special ceremony to celebrate Sterling’s illustrious career, gifting him an 83-inch television, a nod to his well-known habit of watching games in his leisure time. This postseason comeback is viewed as a special, one-time event, driven by the sentiment among WFAN and Yankee executives that the fanbase deserves to have Sterling narrate what they hope will be a deep and memorable playoff campaign.
Looking ahead to next season, the current trio of Ricardo, Shackil, and Berbari are all under consideration for the permanent play-by-play role. Dave Sims, the experienced voice of the Seattle Mariners and a former WFAN host, has also emerged as a potential candidate, as first mentioned by a caller to WFAN’s “Boomer & Gio” morning program. Sims, at 71, offers a seasoned perspective and is notably younger than Sterling.
The Yankees and WFAN are also open to exploring talent from other teams as they seek to find the next voice to lead their broadcasts into a new era, even as they celebrate the return of a beloved legend for one last playoff run.
(Photo: Rich Schultz / Getty Images)
