Major media reports indicate Sterling called 5,631 games for the Yankees, including 5,420 regular-season and 211 postseason contests. He broadcast 5,060 consecutive games from September 1989 through July 2019. Sterling retired in April 2024 citing fatigue, but briefly returned for the 2024 postseason. According to The Independent - Main, Sterling described his iconic home run calls as unplanned, starting with Bernie Williams. He created personalized calls for many players, including "A-bomb from A-Rod!" for Alex Rodriguez. Sterling started as a pregame host for the Yankees.
Sterling died at a New Jersey hospital after undergoing heart bypass surgery this past winter. Following the surgery, he received care from healthcare aides at his Edgewater, New Jersey residence. The exact cause of death was not disclosed.
Born Josh Sloss on July 4, 1938, in Manhattan, Sterling left college to work in radio. He began his career in 1960 at a station in Wellsville, New York. He cited broadcasters Mel Allen, Russ Hodges, and Jim Karvellas as influences. Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.