Veteran WFAN voice John Sterling announced his immediate retirement on Monday, ending a 35‑year run that covered 5,420 regular‑season and 211 postseason Yankees games. Known for the exuberant home‑run call “It is high! It is far! It is gone!” the 85‑year‑old said he no longer wanted to work, capping a career that began in 1989. His exit forces WFAN to find a successor with theatrical flair.

Sterling’s partnership with fellow broadcaster Suzyn Waldman defined the booth for two decades, their banter often slipping into Broadway lyrics – a nod to their shared love of musical theater. Waldman, hired in 1987 after George Steinbrenner’s push for a female color commentator, praised Sterling’s willingness to give her space, saying their chemistry made the Yankees’ radio product distinct in a traditionally staid market.

Beyond baseball, Sterling lent his signature flair to NBA, NHL and other New York teams, turning routine calls into memorable sound bites. His retirement closes a chapter that helped shape the Yankees’ brand identity and fan engagement, leaving a void that WFAN must fill with a voice capable of matching his theatrical flair. Advertisers will monitor ratings as listeners adjust to a new voice.