John Sterling’s streak ending after 30 years

terrynever

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Sterling is feeling shaky and will begin a short hiatus on his birthday, July 4. Might last through the All-Star break. Yanks suggested he step back for a few days. The guy is 81 on Thursday. My guess is his behavior sometimes borders on senility and that worries people. Sterling is very well-liked within the organization. He has to be, to last this long, through a million blown home run calls. His vision was terrible for many years but cataract surgery made it better. I am guessing he can’t hear well, either.
Like it or not, Sterling is the voice of the Yankees, almost iconic since 1996.

https://nypost.com/sports/
 

EvilEmpire

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I think Sterling might have an all-time great radio voice, certainly the best I've heard. Sort of mitigates the blown calls and occasional corniness for me. I hope his health improves and he broadcasts until he's ready to retire on his own terms.
 

BaseballJones

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I think Sterling might have an all-time great radio voice, certainly the best I've heard. Sort of mitigates the blown calls and occasional corniness for me. I hope his health improves and he broadcasts until he's ready to retire on his own terms.
I don't like him as a baseball announcer - his stupid Yankee home run calls are the worst. But...he does have a phenomenal radio voice, and I remember watching him call play-by-play for the Larry Bird 60-point game. Very good basketball guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rto2_oYVs0I
 
You might not remember that Sterling was a fixture in Atlanta for quite a few years, calling Braves and Hawks games, before moving to the Yankees - he was one of the voices of my youth, and I really enjoyed him back in the day. I feel like he's been parodying his younger, better self for quite a while, but then, I don't hear him that often.

[Fake edit: I see @BaseballJones got there first re: the Hawks...]
 

Murderer's Crow

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There is a clear difference in his cadence this year compared to previous years. Those who know his voice really well should be able to tell. As a matter of fact, during the London series for the first 5 minutes, I was convinced it wasn't even Sterling because of how different he sounded.

I hope this doesn't go the way of Bob Shephard. If it does, I think a Ruocco / Waldman combo could be very good. Anything to get Ruocco off of the live games, please.

Edit: Hadn't even read that it's actually going to be Ruocco who replaces him. Good move.
 

terrynever

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About a week before he died, Harry Kalas was wheezing his way through Phillies broadcasts. People noticed. And then he was dead.
Seems like every good baseball town has a radio PBP announcer whose voice is easily recognizable. Most of them do not walk away. Although Vin Scully did.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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There is a clear difference in his cadence this year compared to previous years. Those who know his voice really well should be able to tell. As a matter of fact, during the London series for the first 5 minutes, I was convinced it wasn't even Sterling because of how different he sounded.

I hope this doesn't go the way of Bob Shephard. If it does, I think a Ruocco / Waldman combo could be very good. Anything to get Ruocco off of the live games, please.

Edit: Hadn't even read that it's actually going to be Ruocco who replaces him. Good move.
There is nobody on earth they could pair with Waldman that would make for a good combination. She's godawful.
 

YTF

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There is nobody on earth they could pair with Waldman that would make for a good combination. She's godawful.
I thought that together they were godawful as a team, but yes the man has a great voice for broadcasting baseball. I wish him well and if he has indeed broadcast his final game, may he continue to enjoy the game that he spent so much time around. We should all be so fortunate to enjoy what we do for as long as he has.
 

bankshot1

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I had the second London game on in the car for a bit, and I mentioned to my wife that Sterling sounded odd or tired or whatever. Didn't think much of it at the time, but he just didn't sound like himself.
I listened to him for awhile on Saturday and thought his voice sounded a little raspy/weak. Too many GD MFY homers!.

I hope he gets his voice back, because he got some pipes, but his game calls ain't getting better.
 

jon abbey

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Oddly Michael Kay announced today he needs to have surgery on his vocal cords and will be out a month. Is it possible he and Sterling are actually the same person?