New York Yankees radio announcer John Sterling’s 30-year streak of calling games for the Bombers will come to an end on Thursday.
This week, the long streak for New York Yankees radio announcer John Sterling will come to an end.
Sterling has called every single Yankee game on the radio since 1989, a streak that has lasted 30 years up to this point. However, he will miss the weekend’s games against the Tampa Bay Rays, beginning on Thursday, his 81st birthday.
He will be replaced by Ryan Ruocco of YES/ESPN, who will work with Suzyn Waldman in the booth for the Bombers.
WFAN executives encouraged Sterling to take some time off, due to concerns for his health.
“For the moment, I’m a little under the weather,” Sterling told Andrew Marchand of the New York Post. “I’ve put in the time. I want to feel better and they think this is the time for me to do it — and I agree.”
Sterling will have a long break ahead of him, due to the fact that the All-Star Break begins right after this weekend’s four-game series in Tampa Bay. Sterling won’t return to the booth until July 12 when the Yankees begin a 10-game homestand.
The Yanks are currently in a great spot in the standings. They’re 26 games above .500 (54-28) and lead the AL East by 6.5 games. They can really take control of the division this upcoming weekend, as the Rays are in second place.
Before the series against the Rays begins, the Yankees will continue their string of games away from Yankee Stadium when they begin a two-game series against the New York Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday.
As far as Sterling’s streak, yes it’s coming to an end, but there’s no denying how great of a streak it was. A three-decade streak of calling games is definitely something to remember for this franchise.
