Longtime Yankees radio broadcaster John Sterling has passed away at the age of 87, first reported by WFAN Sports Radio. He was the voice of the club from 1989 to 2024. Sterling’s “The Yankees win!” call was one of the more iconic post-victory catchphrases in the sport.
1. Mack heading to Miami
The Marlins are expected to call up catcher Joe Mack for his big-league debut on Monday against the Phillies. The 23-year-old backstop is a consensus top 100 prospect and one of the more promising bats in Miami’s system. Mack has hit at just about every level of the minor leagues, but his most intriguing attribute, considering team context, might be his defense. Mack has a huge arm and has earned strong marks for framing and blocking. FanGraphs gave him a 60 current grade as a defender. The Marlins have struggled mightily behind the plate and in controlling the running game, as Darragh McDonald broke down last week.
2. Petty back with Reds
The Reds are planning to recall right-hander Chase Petty to start against the Cubs, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Petty’s 2025 debut didn’t go as planned, but a six-inning sample isn’t enough to determine his MLB future. The righty was pounded for nine earned runs in his first career start. Petty finished his brief big-league stint with a 19.50 ERA over three appearances. He had more walks (8) than strikeouts (7) and allowed three home runs. Petty’s 10.4% walk rate at Triple-A this year is a slight concern, but he’s punching out minor leaguers at a strong 27.4% clip. Cincinnati is heading to Chicago for a fascinating four-game series against the division-leading Cubs.
3. Cubs streaking again
Speaking of those Cubbies, the team has ripped off five wins in a row after sweeping the Diamondbacks over the weekend. Chicago had a 10-game winning streak come to an end in Los Angeles last weekend, but the club is back on track with another stretch of victories. The NL Central is turning into one of the more compelling battles in the league. Every team in the division is comfortably over .500 after the Pirates swept the Reds over the weekend. Pittsburgh’s 19-16 record would be good enough for first place in the AL Central and the AL West. Instead, the Pirates are in last place in the NL Central. Cincinnati is two games back of Chicago and can make a move up the standings this week.
Photo courtesy of Sam Navarro, Imagn Images
What was your favorite John Sterling home run call?
Always loved: Back to Back anda Belly to Belly!
RIP
MLBTR Fans Fantasy league weekly update:
SeanP jumped into 1st place with a rousing 11-1 victory over WadeBoggsWildRide last week!
Standings:
SeanP-
Ignorant SOB (3 games back)-Gwynning (8)-FLANSTER (9.5)-Salzilla (9.5)-StudWinfield (9.5)-Oppo nacho (12)-Iwalt27 (15.5)-WadeBoggsWildRide (17.5)-RunDMC (19.5)-Choof (21)-MeowMeow (25)
Trades:
N.Lodolo for T.Turner
D.Lile for C.Burnes
K.Griffin/D.Rassmussen for I.Happ/M.King
+/- 2, +/- 4, or no change. Could be a season altering standings impact.
Little early for season altering, but always nice to stack wins. Build towards 90 and take your chances.
For any team now—just avoid sweeps to stay in tiebreakers. You really have no idea, in early May, who you are really going to be battling in September.
For all we know the Cubs could be head to head down the stretch with the division teams—or it could come down with the Dbacks or Padres or Dodgers.
Holds card to forehead: “Chase Petty”
Reads card: “What did NASCAR drivers do in the 70s?”
If ever there was a NASCAR name, Chase Petty is it. This guy missed his true calling.
Chase Petty to chase Chase Burns in Reds rotation.
As a Red Sox fan couldn’t stand “ Theeee Yankeesssss win…. Especially vs Boston but he was very entertaining… Rip John with , all the Yankee great announcers now….
RIP John Sterling. Legend