The era of John Sterling’s iconic voice on New York Yankees radio is officially over. The Yankees have named Dave Sims as the replacement for Sterling, who retired in April after nearly four decades in the booth. Sims, who has spent the last 17 years as the play-by-play announcer for the Seattle Mariners, will join Suzyn Waldman in the WFAN booth starting in the 2024 season. The announcement was made official by the Yankees on Thursday, with the deal reportedly set for two years.
Sims, 71, is no stranger to the New York sports scene. Before his long tenure with the Mariners, Sims worked as a sports talk host on WFAN in the late ’80s and early ’90s, alongside Ed Coleman. His extensive career includes time as a reporter and broadcaster for various networks, giving him a wealth of experience that will serve him well in the high-profile Yankees job. In addition to his work with the Mariners, Sims has also gained a reputation for his charismatic style and sharp insight into the game, making him a natural choice to follow in Sterling’s footsteps.
Sterling’s retirement marks the end of an era that spanned nearly four decades, with his distinctive, often playful calls becoming synonymous with the Yankees for generations of fans. Sterling was beloved for his signature home run calls, such as the famous “It is high, it is far, it is gone!” However, his decision to step down came after a series of health issues and a more demanding travel schedule.
During the 2023 season, a rotating group of broadcasters, including Justin Shackil, Emmanuel Berbari, and Rickie Ricardo, filled in for Sterling. Sterling returned briefly during the postseason, calling the team’s playoff games in October before the Yankees were eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. While Sterling’s final season was bittersweet, it also provided a fitting close to his remarkable career.
Rickie Ricardo, who currently serves as the Spanish-language play-by-play announcer for the Yankees and the Philadelphia Eagles, was reportedly a finalist for the position, but the Yankees ultimately turned to Sims for the role. Sims’ wealth of experience in both play-by-play and sports commentary, combined with his previous ties to New York, made him the preferred choice.
Sims will join longtime Yankees color commentator Suzyn Waldman, who has been calling games alongside Sterling since 2005. Together, they will usher in a new chapter for the Yankees’ radio broadcast, continuing the team’s storied tradition of top-tier broadcasting.
