John Sterling will be stepping away from the microphone shortly after being the voice of the Yankees since 1989, but before hanging up his headphones, fellow broadcaster Michael Kay asked why the legendary voice hasn’t called the last game. I wondered.
Kaye reacted to this announcement Monday on ESPN New York and YES Network’s “The Michael Kay Show,” wondering aloud why Sterling wouldn’t give fans one last chance to hear the game call. .
“I don’t see why he wouldn’t do one more fight just to give people closure,” Kaye said on the radio show. “People want to hear the last game. They experienced that last game, but they didn’t know it was his last game.”
Although he won’t be back in front of the microphone for a game, the Yankees plan to honor Sterling in a ceremony on Saturday, and he is scheduled to head to the WFAN booth during that day’s game.
Still, Don La Greca, co-host of The Michael Kay Show, agreed with Kaye that he wanted Sterling to play one more game, and Kaye said later on the show that he would like to see him play YES later in the season. He added that he would like to call a match against Sterling. .
“I can’t say I’m surprised by this announcement because he’s already 86 years old,” La Greca explained. “I think we thought that day would come sooner or later, people would know the last game. And even though we were given the chance to play just one last game, we saw the outpouring of emotion from the fans. I just wonder if he’ll take advantage of that opportunity.”
Sterling hasn’t been behind the microphone for a Yankees radio broadcast since April 7, when the Bombers defeated the Blue Jays 8-3 at Yankee Stadium.
His final call was Dennis Santana striking out Cavan Biggio.
“This time the right-hander will be rewarded,” Sterling said in his final phone call. “Strike three is called. The ball game is over. And the Yankees win. The Yankees win. They win 8-3. They beat Toronto in 2 of 3 games, 8-2. It was a loss.”
When Giancarlo Stanton hit a grand slam in the bottom of the third inning, Sterling hit the winning home run in the same game.
“Non-dimensional! That ball definitely went far! Giancarlo!” Starling sung as part of the home run call That afternoon.
In an interview on WFAN’s “Evan and Tiki,” Sterling said the idea of retiring had been on his mind for a while and expressed regret for not making the decision sooner.
“I don’t want to work anymore,” he said. “I’ve been working for 64 years and I’ll be 86 in July. Honestly, my time has come.”
