Monday was emotional day for all Yankees fans and the news hit hard on WFAN.
The death of beloved Yankees voice and radio announcer, John Sterling, was announced on the “Boomer and Gio” show. He was 87.
“We got some sad breaking news from Al [Hughes] just now and has been confirmed that one of the great voices in New York sports history has passed away. John Sterling has died,” said co-host Gregg Giannotti as shocked faces went around the room.
“Did not see that coming,” Giannotti continuted. “Obviously, we know he was but he seemed so spry and energetic the last time we have heard from him. Definitely just brutal news this morning. John was as good as it gets. Entertained us for so many years. Had so much fun with him.
“He was just everything that a play-by-play man should be in loving his audience, loving the sport and loving the Yankees. And delivering it in a way that was truly his own and a voice that will certainly never be forgotton because a lot of people come through these jobs, come through this city and not a lot of them can say we will remember them and reference them for many many years until we pass away. His memory will live on through those calls, through our memories. As long as we are on this planet.”
“Tonight is gonna be an amazing night at Yankee Stadium,” fellow co-host Boomer Esiason went on to add.
“Entertaing and as you said Gio, he loved the sport and he loved the Yankees,” Esiason said. “He loved it so much that he last as long as he did. I mean there were many times where he could have retired and he didn’t. He stayed right there and man, I’ll tell you what there were moments where he was just — he was amazing. He reminds me of what Marv Albert used to be. What Sam, big Sam for us for the Rangers, Sam Rosen. Just that level of broadcaster that you as a fan become so comfortable with that when you turn on the game and you hear his voice, it meant something.”
Reactions poured in from the sports world to mourn the legendary voice behind 36 Yankees seasons.
“The Yankees mourn the loss of legendary broadcaster John Sterling. Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and loved ones at this time,” the club wrote in a statement.
Radio voice and play-by-play announcer of the Mets, Howie Rose, also paid tribute.
“I’m terribly sad to hear of the passing of John Sterling,” he wrote on X. “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.”
Mike Francesa added: “Just heard about John Sterling. I knew him a long time and through many broadcasting stops. But when he stepped into the Yankee radio booth he found the perfect stage. He owned it for the rest of his career. Voice of the Yankees. RIP.”
Suzyn Waldman, who was Sterling’s longtime teammate in the booth, took to Instagram on Monday.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out! Very tough day, but a celebration of the life of a man who lived life exactly the way he wanted is in order! 💔💔” she wrote.
The Post’s Joel Sherman also re-shared a video of him remembering the touching way Sterling and then radio partner Michael Kay treated his dad when Joel’s mom passed away at the end of the 1998 season.
“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,” he wrote.
