John Sterling dies at 87 years old: MLB world mourns death of iconic …

John Sterling dies at 87 years old: MLB world mourns death of iconic Yankees broadcaster originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The baseball world lost one of its iconic voices on Monday as legendary New York Yankees broadcaster died at the age of 87.

Sterling found a way to become one of the most recognizable voices in sports over the radio in an era dominated by TV, doing so by staying true to his own style. The longtime radio voice of the Yankees developed signature catchphrases, including his "Theeeee Yankees win!" call of any victory, that broke through to the mainstream. chickenroad.qpon

Sterling's longevity in his role was remarkable, as he was hired as the Yankees' lead radio play-by-play broadcaster in 1989 and didn't miss a single game until 2019, a streak of 5,060 consecutive games called. He was behind the microphone for five World Series wins over 35 full seasons before retiring in the early days of the 2024 campaign.

Here's more to know about Sterling's passing and how the baseball world is paying tribute.

John Sterling dies at 87 years old

WFAN confirmed Monday that Sterling has passed away. He was 87.

We are devastated to hear about the passing of John Sterling, a WFAN and Yankees radio icon whose voice was synonymous with an entire generation of Yankee fandom.

Rest in peace, John ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BF267gPGnJ

— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) May 4, 2026

While Sterling had whittled down his schedule primarily to just Yankees home games by the end of his career, it was still somewhat of a shock when he abruptly announced his retirement in the early weeks of the 2024 season. Sterling was a staple on Yankees broadcasts for well over three decades, becoming the voice of a golden era in the Bronx that included five World Series wins.

Sterling developed a number of signature phrases over the air, from his over-the-top call of Yankees wins to creating a unique home run call for every Yankees player.

John Sterling cause of death

Sterling died of heart failure after suffering a heart attack and undergoing open-heart surgery in January. While he made it through the surgery as well as expected, according to former broadcast partner Michael Kay, Sterling lost the ability to walk and never fully recovered.

Sterling had been in and out of the hospital in the months since, according to NJ.com, and never fully recovered.

Health issues started to plague Sterling late in his broadcasting career.

The iconic broadcaster missed time with a blood infection in 2020 and retired partly due to health reasons early in the 2024 seasons, explaining that he still enjoyed calling games but was having a hard time with the other aspects of the job, including traveling to and from the stadium and the long hours it required.

John Sterling tributes

Sterling's former colleagues at WFAN announced his death on Monday and paid tribute:

Boomer and Gio announce the passing of longtime New York Yankees radio announcer John Sterling. He was 87. pic.twitter.com/hYKjlpGDNI

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 4, 2026

The Yankees released a lengthy statement honoring the life and career of Sterling:

Statement from the New York Yankees regarding the passing of legendary Yankees Radio Voice John Sterling: pic.twitter.com/mKy6fZyDzs

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 4, 2026

MLB also paid tribute to Sterling's "unique style and passionate play-by-play calls."

We are saddened by the passing of former New York Yankees broadcaster John Sterling.

Through his unique style and passionate play-by-play calls, Sterling endeared himself to generations of players and fans as radio voice of the Yankees from 1989 to 2024.

His signature… pic.twitter.com/cKhJC368zy

— MLB (@MLB) May 4, 2026

ESPN's Adam Schefter had an appropriate one-word tribute for Sterling:

Legend. https://t.co/QrVT9XZjBF

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 4, 2026

A handful of New York media members also chimed in with kind words for Sterling:

John Sterling was a great announcer and always a joy to be around. RIP. https://t.co/7dM2cljH8T

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 4, 2026

Thanks Ryan so much for re-posting this. By coincidence (him in the booth/me on the beat) we began covering the Yankees in 1989. I have so many John Sterling stories. This was the most meaningful. He was one of a kind. A legend. Kind. Witty. May he rest in peace. https://t.co/bVBbFZqlqe

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) May 4, 2026

John Sterling had a legendary career and life. I'm always hesitant to say there will never another. In this case, I think it is true. May he Rest in Peace.

— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) May 4, 2026

John Sterling was as distinct a talent and as unique a person as I’ve ever met. John loved baseball, absolutely loved it. And he loved being behind the mic even more. From my earliest days around the Yankees, he was always kind and affable. That voice will live on. RIP, John.🙏🎤

— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) May 4, 2026

Absolutely devastating news about my dear friend John Sterling. One of the great joys of my decade at the Daily News was sharing the radio booth with John and Suzyn for the fifth inning every night. A true New York legend whose voice will be missed. Rest in peace, my friend. pic.twitter.com/6QdUys9ZNL

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) May 4, 2026

Longtime Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose paid tribute to Sterling on Monday:

I’m terribly sad to hear of the passing of John Sterling. He was truly one of a kind. A unique character who was blessed with pipes from above. Spoke to him a little over a month ago and although he didn’t sound great, this news still comes as a shock. RIP, old friend.

— Howie Rose (@HowieRose) May 4, 2026

Other New York teams sent their condolences as well:

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John Sterling. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and the New York Yankees organization. pic.twitter.com/aOZS9iouNh

— New York Mets (@Mets) May 4, 2026

Rest in peace to a New York sports icon. Sending our thoughts and prayers to the Sterling family https://t.co/hHqOvpUtxY

— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 4, 2026

Sending our thoughts to the Sterling family and the @Yankees on the loss of a New York legend and the voice of a generation of sports fans. https://t.co/d1b77dfHXH

— New York Giants (@Giants) May 4, 2026

"No one loved baseball more than John," Alex Rodriguez tweeted on Monday.

John Sterling was one of one. I loved him, and I’ll always be grateful for how good he was to me throughout my career.

No one loved baseball more than John. He was a true ambassador for the game, beloved and revered by everyone who knew him or heard his voice. I’ll never forget… pic.twitter.com/mPMqw5iFRV

— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) May 4, 2026

The Green Bay Packers have signed veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor, NFL Network reports.

Taylor will presumably take over the backup job behind Jordan Love following the offseason departure of Malik Willis.

Taylor, 36, is a 15-season NFL veteran who most recently played two seasons with the New York Jets. He’s started 29 games over the course of his career and has long been one of the NFL’s most reliable backup quarterbacks. He’ll provide stability at the position in Green Bay following Willis’ departure to Miami to become the Dolphins’ starting quarterback.

NEED TO KNOW

• Fernando Mendoza may skip the Indiana Hoosiers' visit to the White House
• The Las Vegas Raiders rookie has training camp on the same day, he told reporters
• Mendoza led Indiana to a national championship over the Miami Hurricanes in January

Fernando Mendoza is being mindful of the optics.

The rookie Las Vegas Raiders quarterback told reporters over the weekend that he’ll likely turn down the invitation to the White House when his former team, the Indiana Hoosiers, visit next week.

“If it is on the first day of OTAs [organized team activities], like I said, I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here. I gotta prove myself,” Mendoza, 22, said on Saturday, May 2. “I can’t miss practice.”

He added, “As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look. I want to try to best serve my teammates and I don't know if that'd be accomplishing that goal.”

The Hoosiers, who won the national championship against the Miami Hurricanes in January, are scheduled to visit the White House on Monday, May 11.

While his former teammates make the trip, Mendoza will be getting acclimated to the league as he prepares for his first NFL training camp later this summer.

“Out of all those great milestones, I’m really happy about these past two days because it’s back to football,” he said. “Really enjoyed college, the Hoosiers were able to end off on a high point, now it’s back to the bottom of the totem pole.”

Mendoza added, “Yesterday I was like, ‘Wow, I have a lot to work on.’ Everyone here in rookie camp, these are all really, really good players, so I need to elevate my level of play when we go to OTAs next week and training camp.”

Mendoza’s absence in D.C. comes after he recently chose to deviate from another tradition.

Last month, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft stayed home in South Florida with family instead of attending the draft festivities in Pittsburgh.

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“Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and it’s a great venue, and I’m really excited to see all the guys or most of the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night,” Mendoza told Rich Eisen on SportsCenter three days before the draft. “However, my mom really wanted to do it at home and so did my parents, it’s a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation.”

When he was selected by the Raiders with the first pick, the quarterback embraced family members — including mom Elsa, who has multiple sclerosis — who had gathered together to celebrate the big moment.

Read the original article on People