Englewood, New Jersey. May 4, 2026. The baseball world mourns the loss of John Sterling, the iconic radio voice of the New York Yankees for more than 35 seasons. Sterling passed away this Monday at the age of 87, due to heart failure in a hospital in Englewood, New Jersey.
An Unforgettable Legacy
Born on July 4, 1938, in New York, Sterling became a fundamental figure in baseball by taking over the narration of the Yankees games in 1989. His voice, full of enthusiasm and easily recognizable, accompanied fans for decades.His commitment and longevity are reflected in the 5,060 consecutive games he narrated between 1989 and 2019. Sterling was famous for his distinctive phrase at the end of each victory: “The Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!”, a hallmark that resonated with millions of listeners.John Sterling was more than a voice: he was the soul of the Yankees broadcasts.Sterling retired in April 2024, after a 64-year career in broadcasting. In January 2026, he suffered a heart attack from which he was recovering, although with complications that affected his mobility. His death comes shortly after this health episode.The Yankees organization and the baseball world remember one of their most beloved and recognizable narrators. Sterling leaves an indelible legacy in the history of the sport and in the hearts of the “Bronx Bombers” fans.
