Legendary New York Yankees radio commentator John Sterling may not be done in the booth after all. Sterling, who retired from broadcasting after 36 years as the Yankees’ radio voice, could return to commentate on the club’s games in the 2024 postseason, sources told Andrew Marchand. The athlete.
Marchand reports that Sterling is scheduled to speak with Audacy New York President Chris Oliviero in the coming days about a possible return to the playoffs. However, WFAN, the radio station that produces the broadcasts, would most likely require the 86-year-old Sterling to work both home and away playoff games.
Sterling, beloved by fans for his stories and quirky yet iconic home run calls for every Yankees player, resigned effective immediately in April due to health reasons and travel concerns, despite being offered a reduced role by the club.
He said he knew it was time early in the 2024 season.
“I did everything wrong,” Sterling said in April. “I should have quit March 1 or March 15. But I decided to play a tryout, which was useless. As you know. And then we took this long trip. We went to Houston and Arizona. Boy, I knew that was it. I didn’t want to work every day. And I told you how long I’ve been working. When you work 64 years and you’re going to be 86 on your next birthday, I think it’s time.”
Sterling has commentated on 5,060 consecutive games from 1989 to 2019. While the urge to report and be part of a long Yankees playoff run may lure Sterling back into the commentary booth this fall, he is expected to resume retirement afterward.
Sterling, along with his longtime partner Suzyn Waldman, commentated on the fourth and fifth innings of the Yankees’ 9-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday.
Rickie Ricardo, Justin Shackil and Emmanuel Barberi have replaced Sterling at WFAN since April.
