Tributes Pour in for John Sterling
When thinking about John Sterling, Sujin Waldman is often one of the first names that comes to mind.
Following the announcement of the beloved Yankees announcer’s passing on Monday morning, Waldman took to Instagram to honor her longtime partner in the broadcast booth.
“Thank you to everyone who reached out! It’s been a really tough day, but it’s a good time to celebrate the life of a man who lived fully!” she expressed. 💔💔
Waldman was Sterling’s final partner at Yankee Stadium, continuing alongside him until his retirement in April 2024 after an impressive 36 years as the Yankees’ play-by-play announcer.
The duo had been working together since 2005, with Michael Kay being Sterling’s previous radio partner before transitioning to TV commentary on the YES Network.
WFAN confirmed Sterling’s death on-air at the age of 87, with Waldman later discussing their friendship and his lasting impact.
“What you really heard was who he was as a person. This was his dream job since he was six. He wanted to be Mel Allen and do this forever,” she recalled. “He never understood why someone would be cruel to him or anyone else. He had the kindest soul I’ve ever known, and I doubt we’ll ever see that again.”
Waldman commended Sterling’s approach to broadcasting, making it feel more like a Yankees game rather than just any national coverage.
“I’ve never cared for broadcasts that say, ‘We’re 15-0, isn’t it fantastic?’ That’s just not us. New York fans expect more. I mean, Sam from the Bronx is probably thinking the same thing as John: ‘What are they doing?’
She reflected on how Sterling could express frustration while maintaining a sense of optimism. “What annoyed him was when someone called him a home run. He could get angry about the team’s performance, but he did it positively, as though saying, ‘We need to improve.’
Sterling had various home run nicknames over time, one of which was given to him during his brief stint at an NBA game before joining the Yankees in 1990.
Waldman shared how Sterling typically kept things to himself until live broadcasts. Listeners might often hear her laughter or silence during those moments.
“I appreciated our entire group; I enjoyed the first team. Jorge really brought the energy. ‘Bern, Baby Bern’ remains a favorite of mine,” she mentioned.
Waldman noted that she and Sterling have been friends for over 40 years, dating back to the 1987 All-Star break. She even bought him an iPad, which she believes is still tucked away in a cabinet at Yankee Stadium.
However, technology wasn’t Sterling’s strong point.
“He had never been online. He had a flip phone,” Waldman recalled. “He was perfectly content in his ways. Reading newspapers and listening to the radio news was his life, and he loved it.”
Currently, Waldman shares the booth with Sterling’s successor, Dave Sims. A radio tribute will air during the Yankees’ game against the Orioles on Monday night in the Bronx.
