Andrew Marchand
@AndrewMarchand
NEWS: Legendary Yankees broadcaster John Sterling is expected to hold a press conference Friday with retirement a strong possibility, The Athletic has learned.
to say it but considering how rushed this is (ceremony on Saturday) hard not to assume the worst.
That's what I was thinking. It's one thing to announce he'll be missing games. But, to very abruptly be retiring and then, if you're correct, and they are doing something for him, it has to be very serious.
Bryan Hoch ⚾️
@BryanHoch
John Sterling is retiring, effective immediately.
“I am a very blessed human being. I have been able to do what I wanted, broadcasting for 64 years. As a little boy growing up in New York as a Yankees fan, I was able to broadcast the Yankees for 36 years. It’s all to my benefit, and I leave very, very happy. I look forward to seeing everyone again on Saturday.”
I hope he enjoys a long retirement, and if he's healthy they can always bring him back to emcee special events.
Ryan Ruocco, whom I'm assuming takes over permanently, will do a fine job.
The speculation last year was Ruocco also. But, they've had Justin Shackil filling in, same as last year. Maybe that's temporary and for a permanent replacement they go in another direction. But, I don't even think they had Ruocco do a single game last year.
Kay said that his health is fine, that he just doesn't really want to do the job anymore.
I find that hard to believe. Last year he was distraught over not doing road games in the second half just to ease the burden. He didn't want to miss time, but felt he needed to.
Huh...I haven't listened to many radio broadcasts in the past few years, so I hadn't noticed.
I may be wrong, but I don't recall. I remember when they announced sometime in July that Sterling wouldn't be doing road games, but would do all home games, the general consensus among fans and media alike was Ruocco would be taking over. Then, every time I listened it was Shackil.
RE: RE: Really, Ruocco didn't do any games last year?
Huh...I haven't listened to many radio broadcasts in the past few years, so I hadn't noticed.
I may be wrong, but I don't recall. I remember when they announced sometime in July that Sterling wouldn't be doing road games, but would do all home games, the general consensus among fans and media alike was Ruocco would be taking over. Then, every time I listened it was Shackil.
He has done YES broadcasts, but I don't think radio for a few years. They've even gone Rickey Ricardo before Ruocco on radio. Like I said, One, I could be wrong, but 2, it may be they would offer him the full-time gig, but fill in isn't possible with his schedule or whatever.
Although, he did fill in last year for Kay when he was out.
I haven't listened to the Yanks on radio in many years, but
I sure used to a lot back in the day. I always thought the best team was Rizzuto, Bill White and Frank Messer. You could tell White thought Rizzuto was a little crazy but he was very subtle about it in a funny way. And White was a very straight shooter about the baseball side of it. Messer was kind of the straight man between those two and did a lot of the PBP.
Even when straight shooting, White still was fun, especially with Rizzuto. And Messer was a good play by play guy. Back then, they used to rotate 1 guy to the radio as well and rotate.
A real gem was the rare occasions where they got Scooter to just talk baseball. It was usually something like a rain delay. When he would reminisce he was amazing. He had very clear memories and really was great at telling them. No "huckleberry" or birthdays or even "Holy Cow!" Just pure baseball and he was a great listen. For all the times he would be all over the place in the booth, these occasions, he could talk pure baseball for an hour straight and not miss a beat and with great detail.
Is my memory faulty, or did they do Scooter a little dirty, forcing him out?
Is my memory faulty, or did they do Scooter a little dirty, forcing him out?
He was upset when he wasn't allowed to skip a game to go to Mantle's funeral in 1995 (he was so upset he couldn't even make it through the game), and announced his retirement at the end of the season. Ultimately he was convinced to come back in 1996, and then retired for good that fall.
Yankees games on the radio as a little kid back in the 1960's, the great Jerry Coleman was still a member of the broadcast team. This was before he went west to San Diego. Talk about a great listen.
I guess I misremembered, lol. Could have sworn I listened to him in HS in the '60's but it says he started in NY in '71, at WMCA, by the way. Must have been confusing the early years with Bill Mazer
It's being reported (and everything I can find corroborates this) that his professional career began in 1970 covering the Washington Bullets. Not saying you're wrong, that's before my time.
no, you're right. I was just referring to when I would have first heard him, in NY
Maybe it's a case of romanticizing my childhood in the late 1970s, but these three are the barometer by which all other announcers are measured. Paul O'Neill is far & away my favorite of the current announcers.
I never really got the hate for John Sterling--yes, he butchers calls--but he seems like a good guy and that's part of his charm. Kay, on the other hand, is an insufferable windbag.
Spoke with sterling and told him not to say anything. He did say, it’s not medical. BTW, I really enjoy Kay. It’s amazing how many fans of their home team announcers are dislked.
I remember listening to him going all the way back to 1971 on WMCA. Back then he may have been one of the very first sports talk radio hosts, before it was even called sports talk radio. Back then his personality was very different than the Pa Pinstripe of today. He was even more volatile and temperamental than Francesa, but he was fun to listen to. Later on he became a play by play man for other sports and eventually came to the Yankees in 1990. From the time he started up until after the Yankee/Red Sox series in London a few years ago, he never missed a game. People mention Rizzuto/Messer/White, but they forget that in those days, they split the games doing three innings each. Sterling did at least half of every game and since Suzyn has been here he's done every inning of every game despite being in his 70's and 80's.
Despite the unjustified criticism of him, much of which I suspect comes from Met fans, his announcing style and home run calls are loved and celebrated thoughout baseball .
If its true that he's packing it in I hope he will be given the same accolades as some other play by play announcers who I won't mention here.
Is my memory faulty, or did they do Scooter a little dirty, forcing him out?
He was upset when he wasn't allowed to skip a game to go to Mantle's funeral in 1995 (he was so upset he couldn't even make it through the game), and announced his retirement at the end of the season. Ultimately he was convinced to come back in 1996, and then retired for good that fall.
Thank you. That's right. I never would have recalled that on my own. But, it jogged my memory reading your post.
Is my memory faulty, or did they do Scooter a little dirty, forcing him out?
He was upset when he wasn't allowed to skip a game to go to Mantle's funeral in 1995 (he was so upset he couldn't even make it through the game), and announced his retirement at the end of the season. Ultimately he was convinced to come back in 1996, and then retired for good that fall.
Thank you. That's right. I never would have recalled that on my own. But, it jogged my memory reading your post.
One of my favorite summer memories was a twilight view of the GWB coming up on the screen somewhere around the 5th inning and the ribbing would start about the traffic Phol was about to get into on the way home. It always made me smile.
I don't care for that schtick, but he's an institution. He's as important to this generation of Yankee fans as Mel Allen, Red Barber and Phil Rizzuto were. Or Harry Carey was to Cubs fans.
I am not a Yankee fan but we'll miss him when he retires.
He really became a running joke in the household because the kids and I listen to the Yanks in the car when we're driving around during a game. The last decade or so it's unlistenable because he would constantly try and jump the call and end up screwing it up. It's sad because from the very origins of my sports fan hood in the late 70's he's been there. First believe it or not as the Islanders radio play by play guy. Every time the Islanders scored his pattented call was " goal. Islander goal. Islander goal Islander goal!"
Then when I was in college at Maryland in the late 80's my buddy and I used to listen to Yankees games right around the time he started. It was summer classes and with nothing to do week nights it was our saving grace even though the Yanks were so awful. I'll never forget one night in Seattle the Yanks rallied from a big deficit to take a lead he was going crazy only to have Seattle take the lead right back in like 2 or 3 batters he utters this great Sterling line: "well euphoria in Yankees land doesn't last long" we cracked up and that was our battle cry for years till they got good. His championship years calls in the 90's were epic and as big a part of that run as anything else. I miss that but sadly I won't miss what he has become. The people filling in the past few seasons made for a much more informative listen. Boy him and Mike Gorman the Celtics and old Big East play by play guy hang it up within days of each other.
It’s a Sterling walkoff call ever time I open a bottle - “it is high, it is far, it is gone! Ball game over! Thuuuuuuuuuh Yankees win!”
Good times, and indelibly part of the fabric of the dynasty years. But, as Stu said, what was endearing when he was still competent at his profession became very annoying after he lost his fastball.
Even when straight shooting, White still was fun, especially with Rizzuto. And Messer was a good play by play guy. Back then, they used to rotate 1 guy to the radio as well and rotate.
A real gem was the rare occasions where they got Scooter to just talk baseball. It was usually something like a rain delay. When he would reminisce he was amazing. He had very clear memories and really was great at telling them. No "huckleberry" or birthdays or even "Holy Cow!" Just pure baseball and he was a great listen. For all the times he would be all over the place in the booth, these occasions, he could talk pure baseball for an hour straight and not miss a beat and with great detail.
Is my memory faulty, or did they do Scooter a little dirty, forcing him out?
"Fly ball to right field...and while we have a moment we'd like to thank Angela Russo from the Bronx for the fine cannolis she sent to the both this evening..they were delicious, huh White?...caught by Pinella and there are two away"
It’s a Sterling walkoff call ever time I open a bottle - “it is high, it is far, it is gone! Ball game over! Thuuuuuuuuuh Yankees win!”
Good times, and indelibly part of the fabric of the dynasty years. But, as Stu said, what was endearing when he was still competent at his profession became very annoying after he lost his fastball.
Ha ha Greg those bottle openers are great. I have one witn Jim Gordon announcing wide right.
Kay sucks, but PLEASE for God's Cup get rid of Suzyn Waldman. SOOOOOOOOOO ANNOYING. More so now that John hasn't been on, she thinks she has the floor to herself.
Sterling did have a great radio voice. And he's an interesting guy
I gained alot of respect for him when he used to fill in on WFAN during Christmas week. Was very well rounded, lots of different ineterests, great story teller. He hung on too long though.
It’s a Sterling walkoff call ever time I open a bottle - “it is high, it is far, it is gone! Ball game over! Thuuuuuuuuuh Yankees win!”
Good times, and indelibly part of the fabric of the dynasty years. But, as Stu said, what was endearing when he was still competent at his profession became very annoying after he lost his fastball.
I had this and it got "lost" first week of junior year. It magically reappeared the day I left, as my roommates had apparently hidden it.
Yankees games on the radio as a little kid back in the 1960's, the great Jerry Coleman was still a member of the broadcast team. This was before he went west to San Diego. Talk about a great listen.
and had a very long career. I wish him well and a very happy retirement!
.
He had a long career, it's time. Hope he doesn't have a health issue, Kay said he didn't last night? It is weird to start the season for two weeks, and then quickly announce retirement though?
Even when straight shooting, White still was fun, especially with Rizzuto. And Messer was a good play by play guy. Back then, they used to rotate 1 guy to the radio as well and rotate.
A real gem was the rare occasions where they got Scooter to just talk baseball. It was usually something like a rain delay. When he would reminisce he was amazing. He had very clear memories and really was great at telling them. No "huckleberry" or birthdays or even "Holy Cow!" Just pure baseball and he was a great listen. For all the times he would be all over the place in the booth, these occasions, he could talk pure baseball for an hour straight and not miss a beat and with great detail.
Is my memory faulty, or did they do Scooter a little dirty, forcing him out?
"Fly ball to right field...and while we have a moment we'd like to thank Angela Russo from the Bronx for the fine cannolis she sent to the both this evening..they were delicious, huh White?...caught by Pinella and there are two away"
.
Frank Messer was an underrated play-by-play man, nationally speaking I would say. I think Yankee fans appreciated him though, I know I did, back when those games were on WPIX.
Said was not health related, just that he's old and he doesn't want to work anymore LOL.
His missed calls and lack of actual game info. used to drive me crazy, but I grew to love his crazy stick and everything else. Even him and Suzan whining about modern baseball and begging for bunts and small ball became amusing.
So I will certainly miss him and his smooth voice calling the games.
I feel the same way, he can go at the trading deadline.
They should have Peraza back in about a month. They should have D.J., and they have 'Waldo'.
No Yankees threads?
@BryanHoch
John Sterling is retiring, effective immediately.
“I am a very blessed human being. I have been able to do what I wanted, broadcasting for 64 years. As a little boy growing up in New York as a Yankees fan, I was able to broadcast the Yankees for 36 years. It’s all to my benefit, and I leave very, very happy. I look forward to seeing everyone again on Saturday.”
THIS!!!!
Ryan Ruocco, whom I'm assuming takes over permanently, will do a fine job.
You misspelled “Suzyn”.
Ryan Ruocco, whom I'm assuming takes over permanently, will do a fine job.
Quote:
Huh...I haven't listened to many radio broadcasts in the past few years, so I hadn't noticed.
I may be wrong, but I don't recall. I remember when they announced sometime in July that Sterling wouldn't be doing road games, but would do all home games, the general consensus among fans and media alike was Ruocco would be taking over. Then, every time I listened it was Shackil.
Although, he did fill in last year for Kay when he was out.
A real gem was the rare occasions where they got Scooter to just talk baseball. It was usually something like a rain delay. When he would reminisce he was amazing. He had very clear memories and really was great at telling them. No "huckleberry" or birthdays or even "Holy Cow!" Just pure baseball and he was a great listen. For all the times he would be all over the place in the booth, these occasions, he could talk pure baseball for an hour straight and not miss a beat and with great detail.
Is my memory faulty, or did they do Scooter a little dirty, forcing him out?
He was upset when he wasn't allowed to skip a game to go to Mantle's funeral in 1995 (he was so upset he couldn't even make it through the game), and announced his retirement at the end of the season. Ultimately he was convinced to come back in 1996, and then retired for good that fall.
Quote:
In comment 16469861 DanMetroMan said:
Quote:
years covering pro sports. Remarkable.
I guess I misremembered, lol. Could have sworn I listened to him in HS in the '60's but it says he started in NY in '71, at WMCA, by the way. Must have been confusing the early years with Bill Mazer
It's being reported (and everything I can find corroborates this) that his professional career began in 1970 covering the Washington Bullets. Not saying you're wrong, that's before my time.
no, you're right. I was just referring to when I would have first heard him, in NY
I never really got the hate for John Sterling--yes, he butchers calls--but he seems like a good guy and that's part of his charm. Kay, on the other hand, is an insufferable windbag.
Despite the unjustified criticism of him, much of which I suspect comes from Met fans, his announcing style and home run calls are loved and celebrated thoughout baseball .
If its true that he's packing it in I hope he will be given the same accolades as some other play by play announcers who I won't mention here.
Quote:
Is my memory faulty, or did they do Scooter a little dirty, forcing him out?
He was upset when he wasn't allowed to skip a game to go to Mantle's funeral in 1995 (he was so upset he couldn't even make it through the game), and announced his retirement at the end of the season. Ultimately he was convinced to come back in 1996, and then retired for good that fall.
Quote:
In comment 16469973 Matt M. said:
Quote:
Is my memory faulty, or did they do Scooter a little dirty, forcing him out?
He was upset when he wasn't allowed to skip a game to go to Mantle's funeral in 1995 (he was so upset he couldn't even make it through the game), and announced his retirement at the end of the season. Ultimately he was convinced to come back in 1996, and then retired for good that fall.
Thank you. That's right. I never would have recalled that on my own. But, it jogged my memory reading your post.
One of my favorite summer memories was a twilight view of the GWB coming up on the screen somewhere around the 5th inning and the ribbing would start about the traffic Phol was about to get into on the way home. It always made me smile.
I am not a Yankee fan but we'll miss him when he retires.
Then when I was in college at Maryland in the late 80's my buddy and I used to listen to Yankees games right around the time he started. It was summer classes and with nothing to do week nights it was our saving grace even though the Yanks were so awful. I'll never forget one night in Seattle the Yanks rallied from a big deficit to take a lead he was going crazy only to have Seattle take the lead right back in like 2 or 3 batters he utters this great Sterling line: "well euphoria in Yankees land doesn't last long" we cracked up and that was our battle cry for years till they got good. His championship years calls in the 90's were epic and as big a part of that run as anything else. I miss that but sadly I won't miss what he has become. The people filling in the past few seasons made for a much more informative listen. Boy him and Mike Gorman the Celtics and old Big East play by play guy hang it up within days of each other.
Good times, and indelibly part of the fabric of the dynasty years. But, as Stu said, what was endearing when he was still competent at his profession became very annoying after he lost his fastball.
A real gem was the rare occasions where they got Scooter to just talk baseball. It was usually something like a rain delay. When he would reminisce he was amazing. He had very clear memories and really was great at telling them. No "huckleberry" or birthdays or even "Holy Cow!" Just pure baseball and he was a great listen. For all the times he would be all over the place in the booth, these occasions, he could talk pure baseball for an hour straight and not miss a beat and with great detail.
Is my memory faulty, or did they do Scooter a little dirty, forcing him out?
"Fly ball to right field...and while we have a moment we'd like to thank Angela Russo from the Bronx for the fine cannolis she sent to the both this evening..they were delicious, huh White?...caught by Pinella and there are two away"
Good times, and indelibly part of the fabric of the dynasty years. But, as Stu said, what was endearing when he was still competent at his profession became very annoying after he lost his fastball.
Ha ha Greg those bottle openers are great. I have one witn Jim Gordon announcing wide right.
Kay sucks, but PLEASE for God's Cup get rid of Suzyn Waldman. SOOOOOOOOOO ANNOYING. More so now that John hasn't been on, she thinks she has the floor to herself.
Good times, and indelibly part of the fabric of the dynasty years. But, as Stu said, what was endearing when he was still competent at his profession became very annoying after he lost his fastball.
I had this and it got "lost" first week of junior year. It magically reappeared the day I left, as my roommates had apparently hidden it.
With Red Barber, Tony Kubek and Joe Garagiola.
He had a long career, it's time. Hope he doesn't have a health issue, Kay said he didn't last night? It is weird to start the season for two weeks, and then quickly announce retirement though?
Quote:
Even when straight shooting, White still was fun, especially with Rizzuto. And Messer was a good play by play guy. Back then, they used to rotate 1 guy to the radio as well and rotate.
A real gem was the rare occasions where they got Scooter to just talk baseball. It was usually something like a rain delay. When he would reminisce he was amazing. He had very clear memories and really was great at telling them. No "huckleberry" or birthdays or even "Holy Cow!" Just pure baseball and he was a great listen. For all the times he would be all over the place in the booth, these occasions, he could talk pure baseball for an hour straight and not miss a beat and with great detail.
Is my memory faulty, or did they do Scooter a little dirty, forcing him out?
"Fly ball to right field...and while we have a moment we'd like to thank Angela Russo from the Bronx for the fine cannolis she sent to the both this evening..they were delicious, huh White?...caught by Pinella and there are two away"
Frank Messer was an underrated play-by-play man, nationally speaking I would say. I think Yankee fans appreciated him though, I know I did, back when those games were on WPIX.
Link - ( New Window )
His missed calls and lack of actual game info. used to drive me crazy, but I grew to love his crazy stick and everything else. Even him and Suzan whining about modern baseball and begging for bunts and small ball became amusing.
So I will certainly miss him and his smooth voice calling the games.
I feel the same way, he can go at the trading deadline.
They should have Peraza back in about a month. They should have D.J., and they have 'Waldo'.
No Yankees threads?
I know he's not always dependable now, but he's here for 3 more years...they have to try and make the most of situation.