For over three decades, John Sterling has been the radio voice of the New York Yankees. He’s called various championship teams and has had more than his fair share of noteworthy moments.
But I’m not sure Sterling has ever experienced what happened to him on Saturday.
As Justin Turner tried to rally the Boston Red Sox from a 3-1 deficit in the top of the ninth inning, he glanced a foul ball off his bat. That foul ball would travel all the way back toward Sterling’s announcing booth and hit him in the head.
At first, Sterling appeared to be in serious danger, immediately and understandably crying out, “Ow, ow, ow!” on the broadcast. But then, he just called the game as usual on the very next pitch:
John Sterling got hit by a Justin Turner foul ball then got right back on the mic like an absolute warrior pic.twitter.com/JHsVTKEVPA
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 11, 2023
I mean, if Sterling was really OK, more power to him for valiantly continuing his announcing after acknowledging what happened. For what it’s worth, the 84-year-old broadcaster appears to be alright.
Yankees announcer John Sterling got hit hard by this foul ball 😳pic.twitter.com/qVw6JyrpnW
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 11, 2023
Sterling told The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty that he took the foul ball to his eyebrow, suffering a bloody cut. And, apparently, he’ll still call the Yankees-Red Sox game on Sunday night. I’m speechless at the turn of events, but credit is due to Sterling for soldiering on.
