The sports world is mourning the loss of a broadcasting giant. John Sterling, the iconic radio voice of the New York Yankees for 36 seasons, passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the age of 87. His unmistakable, exuberant calls of “It is high, it is far, it is gone” and the celebratory cry of “Thuuuuuuuh Yankees win!” were the definitive soundtrack of summers and postseasons for generations of fans.
Sterling’s death comes just months after he revealed a significant health scare. In late February 2026, the legendary announcer spoke openly on WFAN for the first time about suffering a heart attack at the beginning of that January. While he assured listeners his heart was fine, he noted the event had seriously affected his mobility. “I’m kind of waiting for the force to leave my legs and I can get back out there,” he told WFAN’s Rickie Ricardo, crediting his four children for being “sensational in taking care of me”.
A History of Health Challenges
The heart attack in early 2026 was the most dramatic in a series of health issues John Sterling faced in his later years. He stepped away from the broadcast booth for good in April 2024, citing the rigors of travel and declining stamina. This decision came after he’d already been forced to truncate his legendary consecutive-games-played streak.
We are devastated to hear about the passing of John Sterling, a WFAN and Yankees radio icon whose voice was synonymous with an entire generation of Yankee fandom.
Rest in peace, John ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BF267gPGnJ
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) May 4, 2026
In July 2019, after 30 years and 5,060 consecutive regular-season games, Sterling missed a series due to an illness. The following year, he was sidelined by a blood infection that required a brief hospital stay and caused him to reduce his road schedule as travel became more taxing. These incidents collectively painted a picture of a man whose body could no longer keep up with his tireless spirit.
Cause of Death: Complications from a Heart Attack
While the immediate announcement of his passing noted Sterling had suffered a heart attack just months prior, the official cause provides a clear picture. According to his son Bradford Sterling, who confirmed the death to the New York Times, John Sterling died in a hospital in Englewood, New Jersey, from complications following a heart attack.
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The health event in January ultimately proved fatal. Despite being initially “on the mend” and in “good spirits” after the attack, his body could not overcome the subsequent complications. His death at 87 marks the end of an era, but his unique, bombastic style ensures the voice of the Yankees will never be forgotten.
