Sports world reacts to Yankees' John Sterling's death: He was truly one of a kind

Michael Kay was speechless for more than 20 seconds.

The Yankees announcer was so emotional on his ESPN New York Radio show on Monday afternoon that he had trouble getting through a story about his close friend John Sterling, who passed away on Monday at the age of 87.

Sterling suffered a heart attack in January and was undergoing rehab with a special date in mind.

"He lost the ability to walk," Kay said. "And that was frustrating for him. So he was undergoing rehab and things like that and he was really pushing it. I said, "John, don't push yourself too much' and he said his oldest daughter is getting married this summer. He said, 'Michael, I have to walk her down the aisle.' "

Kay, after taking the time to compose himself, said: “And that’s why he was hanging on.”

Kay and countless others in the Yankees, baseball and sports worlds mourned the loss of Sterling when news spread on Monday morning after first being reported on WFAN’s “Boomer & Gio” show.

“It’s a tough day,” Suzyn Waldman, Sterling’s longtime radio boothmate, told reporters before the Yankees hosted the Orioles at Yankee Stadium. “You don’t think it doing to be tough when you know something’s coming. You’re waiting for a phone call. Over the last couple of months, you knew the phone call was coming, but when it does, it’s still really shocking because it’s hard to believe a world without this man in it.”

Added Waldman: “This man is the only person I’ve ever met who did everything he wanted to do with his life.”

Waldman and Kay left flowers at home plate as part of a pregame ceremony honoring Sterling. Then, when Yankees captain Aaron Judge hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, Kay used Sterling's iconic "It is high! It is far! It is gone!" call as well as Sterling's "A Judgian blast! Here comes the Judge!", one of many unique calls Sterling had for Yankees players over the years.

Said Judge before the game: “It’s kind of tough to put into words because John meant so much to us as Yankee fans, I think also baseball fans. Just the way he described the game, the beauty he brought to it . . . He brought that New York theatre to the ballpark, I think is the best way to describe it.”

Said Yankees manager Aaron Boone: “One of a kind. An amazing career, an amazing life. The soundtrack for so many New Yorkers and Yankees fans over the years.”

Boone said he still says Sterling’s signature “Thuuuuuu Yankees win!” in the dugout after each victory.

“My coaches look at me like I’m nuts,” he said.

Others shared their thoughts on social media sites such as X and Instagram.

Former Yankees captain Derek Jeter posted: “John Sterling is as much a part of the fabric of the New York Yankees organization as any player. It was an honor to have him call every one of my games during my career and an absolute pleasure to get to know him on a personal basis. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. He will be deeply missed.”

Alex Rodriguez, the named Yankee in Sterling's "An A-bomb, from A-Rod" home run call, wrote: "John Sterling was one of one. I loved him, and I’ll always be grateful for how good he was to me throughout my career. No one loved baseball more than John. He was a true ambassador for the game, beloved and revered by everyone who knew him or heard his voice."

Wrote Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose: “I’m terribly sad to hear of the passing of John Sterling. 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.”

Mets broadcasters Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez paid tribute to Sterling during Monday’s SNY broadcast against the Rockies.

“Like everybody else around baseball and around all of broadcasting,” Cohen said, “Keith and I were very saddened today to hear of the passing of John Sterling . . . Nobody else was every like John or will ever be like John.”

The Yankees issued a statement Monday afternoon.

“We pause today — along with millions of Yankees fans around the world — to recognize the passing of one of our own,” the team wrote. “John Sterling breathed life and excitement into Yankees games for 36 years while wearing his passion for baseball and the Yankees on his sleeve. He informed and entertained generations of fans with a theatrical and unapologetic style that was uniquely his own.

“John treasured his role as the voice of the New York Yankees, and his enthusiasm for the art of broadcasting perfectly complemented our city and our fans. The symmetry between John and his audience was both undeniable and magical, and his signature calls will resonate for as long as we put on pinstripes — especially after every Yankees win.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to the entire Sterling family, as well as his long list of loved ones and friends.”

Newsday’s Laura Albanese, Erik Boland and David Lennon contributed to this story.