There is something calming about listening to a ball game on the radio. Having a familiar, consistent voice calling the play by play, providing game insights and a little humor, all while you are in the backyard, on a run, in the car. My brother recently relocated to Minnesota from Long Island. The miles ticked by quickly because there was that voice. Saturday, the Yankees honored John Sterling, a boy from the Bronx that became the voice of the New York Yankees for 36 years. He opened up the game to young fans listening in with their parents. He shared milestones, championships, and heartaches with us. He is John Sterling, and he is my broadcaster, and his iconic voice will live on for generations.
“He gives you all the qualities that you would want in a broadcaster. He has the voice, the knowledge of the game, the ability to tell a story. He keeps you up to date on what has transpired in the field, and he has a great sense of humor. I think he captures the ambiance of the greatest franchise in all of professional sport,” said University of Rochester professor Curt Smith, a baseball author and historian per NJ.com.
That is what we were treated to over the last 30+ years. His wit, his passionate home run calls, they were all part of the Yankees game. I remember my son and I riding up to Sacred Heart University one May for my niece's graduation. The weather was abysmal. And John Sterling in his genuine way, welcomed us to the broadcast with "Well, Suzyn, I thank you. It is an awful, awful day here at the Stadium." Ha! Appreciate the honesty, Mr. Sterling.
Then there was the time when my son and I got to the game eight hours early to ensure we were in line to get the best bobble head ever—The John and Suzyn from the broadcast booth bobble head. And who can forget all of the home run calls- which started with "Bern Baby Bern and ended with a Soto Photo." He made us even more jacked up about the game and the Yankees winning. From "Jorge Juiced One, to You're on the Mark, Teixeira, to All Rise, Here Comes the Judge," the calls just kept on coming. Some had a jingle to them. Some went on a lot longer than what was comfortable. But he didn't care. He was enjoying the moment. And he shared that enjoyment with all of us.
What does it mean to be passionate? A passionate person has very strong feelings about something or a strong belief in something. John is passionate about his craft—and the game of baseball. He is a Unicorn. He laughs at himself when he makes a mistake. He gets frustrated with the team when they don't hit or when pitchers don't throw strikes. He even shared frustrations about dugout leadership from time to time. He is the fans' broadcaster. He said the things we were often thinking. And he made even the more laborious games tolerable.
The New York Post did a one-on-one interview with Sterling. It is a must read. It is like a manuscript documenting the words of a historian. He talks about his favorite games and players over the years. When asked what was his favorite call, his answer is classic. "I don’t think there is such a thing. I think the best call is heard by someone who likes it, and you could use that same call, and ask someone who dislikes me, and they wouldn’t like it. So I think it depends on who’s listening. Period." Typical John.
What will John do during retirement, you ask? "Here’s my plan — I plan to listen and watch 162 Yankee games, 162 Mets games, all the games on Turner and ESPN, and all the games on MLB [Network]. You know that I’m also [a] basketball, hockey, football fan. Basketball and hockey are just starting their playoffs. I can’t wait to relax, sit back and watch and listen to the games," reported The Post.
John is priceless. His imprint on this game is timeless. He crosses three generations of Yankee fans. And I am going to miss listening to him; anticipating his home run calls, his perspectives and of course the iconic "Thaaaa Yankees Win." John, you are a gem. I started listening to you in college, raised my kids listening to you, ran with you on some long runs, took many a road trip with you, did housework with you in the background. You have comforted me when life was hard, because I knew if I tuned in, you would be there. No one deserves the accolades and tributes than you. Thank you, John from a fan for life.
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--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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