John Sterling

John Sterling was a tremendous baseball announcer.

Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

Sure, sometimes he’d say:

“The bases are loaded and there are two outs, and the Yankees are up one. They need to get this out or they won’t be leading anymore.”

But he had tremendous calls for every Yankee who hit a homer.

“Bernie Goes Boom!” Was a favorite and he would end that call with “Burn, baby burn.”

I have always loved listening to baseball on the radio, but it takes a great announcer to make that work. Sterling knew how to pace himself. Baseball is a game that doesn’t need endless chatter, and allowing the game to breathe is essential.

And of course, “Theeeeeeeeee Yankeeeeeeeees Wiiiiiiiin!”

Was what we all waited for.

John Sterling wasn’t Vin Scully who was the absolute master, but he was great.

That simple.

A good announcer can make a kid love a game.

Sterling and Kay (and then Suzyn) on the radio and Scooter and Frank White on television were the voices I heard every night as a Yankees fan.

They painted the picture, and they encouraged the love of the game.

When Sterling retired there was a sadness, but time waits for no one.

87 years is a great run, and his generosity is also well known.

Sterling’s home run call will live forever in my mind:

“It is high.”

“It is Far.”

“It is GONE!”

A legend.