John Sterling, the famous radio voice of the New York Yankees, will come out of retirement to announce the postseason for WFAN, according to individuals familiar with the agreement. Sterling, 86, who retired in April, will call the Yankees’ home and away games in October, as required by WFAN officials.He will collaborate with his longtime partner, Suzyn Waldman. Sterling is anticipated to tune up by calling the final six regular-season games, all of which will be played at home.
“The thing I missed the most was working with Suzyn,” Sterling told The Athletic. This year, Justin Shackil, Rickie Ricardo, and Emmanuel Berbari have taken over as play-by-play announcers, replacing Sterling.
When The Athletic initially reported Sterling’s potential comeback last month, he said he would feel horrible for the trio if he came in.
Chris Oliviero, president of WFAN and Audacy New York, made the offer to Sterling on Thursday, and he accepted, according to sources. Top Yankees management approved the move last week.
While Sterling will return in October, this is believed to be his final appearance in the booth. He plans to retire after calling postseason games for New York. He broadcast Yankees games for 36 of his 64-year career.
Sterling started the season in the booth but retired soon after. In April, the club conducted a ceremony to honor him, during which New York presented him with an 83-inch television as a tribute to Sterling’s love of watching sports in his spare time.
Sterling’s October return is expected to be a one-time appearance, since WFAN and Yankee executives believed the fan base would want him to be the voice of what they hope would be a long postseason run.
Ricardo, Shackil, and Berbari are all prospects for full-time positions next season. Dave Sims, the Seattle Mariners’ play-by-play announcer, was also mentioned by a caller to WFAN’s morning show, “Boomer & Gio.”
Sims, 71, a former WFAN host, is 15 years younger than Sterling. The Yankees and WFAN may also seek to other teams for their next main voice.
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