New York Yankees announcers paid tribute to the team’s longtime broadcaster, John Sterling, during their May 4 game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Sterling, who passed away at 87 on May 4, was well known to baseball fans beyond New York City for his home run calls.
As fate would have it, Aaron Judge presented the perfect moment for the team’s current broadcasters to honor the iconic broadcaster. In the bottom of the first inning, Judge launched a two-run home run, and Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay did his best Sterling impression.
“It is high! It is far! It is gone! Aaron Judge! A Judgian blast! Here comes the Judge!” Kay roared into the microphone during the broadcast on YES Network.
MORE: Retired Yankees announcer John Sterling was so much more than a friendly voice on the radio
Before the game, Kay and fellow Yankees broadcaster Suzyn Waldman paid their respects by placing flowers on home plate.
Yankees players did their part, wearing John Sterling’s initials stitched into the back of their caps.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone admitted that he mimics Sterling’s famous “theeee Yankees win” after his team’s victories.
“My coaches look at me like I’m nuts. I don’t even know if they know what I’m doing,” Boone said. “As soon as that final out is made and I get up to shake players’ hands, I go, ‘Ballgame over, Yankees win, theeee Yankees win!”
“I’ve got goosebumps thinking about it.”
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