The passing of Yankees announcer John Sterling has led to a flood of heartfelt tributes from players, fans, and colleagues who cherished his voice as part of their baseball experience.
Among those honoring him is former Yankees captain and four-time World Series winner, Derek Jeter. On social media, Jeter reflected on his memories of Sterling. “John Sterling is as much a part of the New York Yankees structure as any other player,” he wrote. “It was an honor to have him call every game of my career, and I appreciated getting to know him on a personal level. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed.”
Sterling was the voice behind many pivotal moments in Jeter’s career, from his 3,000th hit to his final at-bat in the big leagues.
Fellow former Yankees player Alex Rodriguez also shared his thoughts, calling Sterling “one of one.” He expressed his gratitude for Sterling’s kindness throughout his own career, adding, “No one loved baseball more than John. He was truly an ambassador for the game, beloved by everyone who heard him speak or knew him. I’ll always cherish listening to him and Sujin’s game calls and his incredible stories about Hank Aaron.
“The baseball community will profoundly miss him, but he will remain unforgettable. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”
Sterling’s longtime broadcast partner, Sujin Waldman, also paid tribute, stating, “There is no one like him, and there never will be,” ahead of a game against the Orioles.
Michael Kay, another Yankees broadcaster, became emotional while discussing Sterling during his ESPN New York radio show, recalling their partnership from 1992 to 2001 when they were on AM770 AM WABC.
