John Sterling’s hiatus as a radio host for the New York Yankees is coming to an end. The team’s longtime radio host will return in October to cover the playoff games.
Sterling, 86, announced his immediate retirement in April, saying he lacked the “strength and stamina” to continue in the role. He had covered Yankees games since 1989, covering 5,420 regular-season and 211 playoff games.
According to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, Sterling will announce home and away playoff games for the Yankees and will return with his regular partner, Suzyn Waldman.
“What I really miss is broadcasting with Suzyn, who is such a fantastic partner,” Sterling told Evan and Tiki on WFAN Thursday afternoon. “This gives me a chance to have one last hurrah, and to work with Suzyn again.”
Sterling added that he will return to the booth later this month for the Yankees’ final home game of the season.
Justin Shackil, Rickie Ricardo and Emmanuel Berbari have been covering the Yankees’ radio coverage since Sterling’s sudden retirement in mid-April.
Sterling said he has been busy watching and listening to Yankees games and that after this brief return he will have a busy schedule with the football, basketball and hockey seasons looming.
“Sports will always be my life,” he said. “I love it.”
The Yankees honored Sterling a few days after his announcement in April. Reunited with his former radio partner Michael Kay in the YES Network television booth, Sterling said his tank was empty when asked if he imagined watching a game later in the season and wished he could have announced the move.
“No,” Sterling said. “I’m exhausted. Mel Stottlemyre would tell the pitcher in his last inning, ‘Empty the tank.’ Well, my tank is empty.”
Marchand noted that Sterling is not expected to return to radio until the 2025 season.
