The voice of the New York Yankees has gone silent. Legendary MLB broadcaster John Sterling has passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy that is inseparable from Yankees baseball. For decades, Sterling didn’t just call games—he defined moments, turning routine home runs into unforgettable pieces of theater. In honor of his career, here are five of his most memorable and iconic home run calls:

MORE: Tributes pour in for Yankees broadcaster who dies at 87

“A Thrilla from Godzilla!” — Hideki Matsui

When Hideki Matsui arrived in New York in 2003, he already carried the nickname “Godzilla” from his time in Japan. Sterling didn’t waste time.

“A thrilla from Godzilla!” became an instant classic—perfectly capturing Matsui’s power and presence. It was catchy, creative, and uniquely Sterling.

“Bern Baby Bern!” — Bernie Williams

Bernie Williams wasn’t just a cornerstone of the Yankees dynasty—he was also the inspiration behind one of Sterling’s earliest signature calls.

“Bern baby Bern!” became synonymous with the late-’90s Yankees and helped spark the tradition of personalized home run calls that would define Sterling’s style. Simple. Timeless. Iconic.

“Like a Good Gleyber, Torres Is There!” — Gleyber Torres

Sterling’s creativity never faded. With Gleyber Torres, he tapped into pop culture, riffing off the State Farm slogan with: “Like a good Gleyber, Torres is there!”

He also added variations like “It’s Gleyber Day!” and “He is the Gleyber of the month!”—showing his ability to keep things fresh even decades into his career.

“An A-Bomb from A-Rod!” — Alex Rodriguez

This might be Sterling’s most recognizable call. Alex Rodriguez hit 361 home runs as a Yankee, and Sterling was there for every single one of them.

“An A-bomb from A-Rod!” wasn’t just a call—it became part of baseball culture. Consistent, powerful, and instantly recognizable, it perfectly matched Rodriguez’s presence in the lineup.

“The Bam-Tino!” — Tino Martinez

Sterling loved a good pun—and Tino Martinez gave him the perfect opportunity. “The Bam-Tino!” played off “The Great Bambino,” tying Yankees history into the present.

Martinez delivered plenty of moments worthy of the call, including his unforgettable grand slam in the 1998 World Series.

The Legacy of a Voice

John Sterling called over 5,000 consecutive games, spanning generations of Yankees baseball. But more than the numbers, it was his personality that stood out. He made the game fun. He made moments bigger.

And he gave fans something to smile about every time the ball left the yard. Home runs come and go. But calls like these? They last forever. And thanks to John Sterling, Yankees fans will always hear those moments, not just see them.

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