Longtime New York Yankees Commentator John Sterling Retires Effectively at Age 85 Due to Concerning Health Battle

LONGTIME radio voice of the New York Yankees, John Sterling, has retired effective immediately.

The legendary sportscaster, 85, called Yankees games for 36 years – nearly half of his 64-year career.

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The Yankees announced the news along with a statement from Sterling on Monday afternoon.

The team said it will honor the sportscasting legend during a pregame ceremony ahead of Saturday’s matchup between New York and the Tampa Bay Rays.

“I am a very blessed human being,” Sterling’s statement read.

“I managed to do what I wanted, broadcasting for 64 years.

“As a boy growing up in New York as a Yankees fan, I was able to broadcast the Yankees for 36 years.

“It’s all for my benefit and I leave very, very happy. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again on Saturday.”

Before the announcement, Atlético reported that Sterling was expected to retire due to health problems.

The New York native called 5,420 regular-season Yankees games, as well as 211 postseason contests.

“Fans find some comfort in the daily rhythms of baseball,” the Yankees said in a statement.

“Day after day, season after season, and city after city, John Sterling used his seat in the broadcast booth to bring Yankees fans the pulse of the game, employing a sonorous voice and colorful personality that were distinctly and unmistakably his.

“John informed and entertained, and exemplified what it means to be a New Yorker with a brash, boisterous style that exuded his passion for baseball, broadcasting and the New York Yankees.

“There is no shortage of adjectives to describe John and what he means to this organization and to our millions of fans around the world.

“But what makes John a giant in the world of sports broadcasting is how sacred he has kept his role as Yankees spokesman.

“Appearing to perform virtually every day since 1989, he was a pillar for Yankees fans who trusted the comfort and familiarity of his voice to be the soundtrack to their spring, summer and fall.

“Given the enormous care he took for the team and his performance in the air, it is no exaggeration to believe that our fans live and die by every shot because John Sterling did the same.

As a boy growing up in New York as a Yankees fan, I was able to broadcast the Yankees for 36 years

Legendary Yankees sportscaster John Sterling

“We congratulate John on a remarkable and illustrious career.

“His contributions to this great game and to the Yankees franchise will echo long into the future.”

Sterling began his broadcasting career in Baltimore.

He served as a broadcaster for the then-Baltimore Bullets during the 1970-71 season.

The sportscaster joined New York sports media in 1971 as a radio host.

Later that decade, he began a nine-year stint covering MLB and the NBA in Atlanta, Georgia.

Sterling returned to New York to broadcast Yankees games in 1989, remaining with the franchise until his retirement.