John Sterling Was the Voice of The Yankees; But Many Fondly Remember Him for Calling the Rick Camp HR

This morning, former New York Yankees radio broadcaster John Sterling passed away at the age of 87.

Sterling was the voice of the Bronx Bombers for more than 35 years before health issues forced him to abruptly retire early in the 2024 season although he would return for the post-season to say a proper goodbye. The Yankees would win the AL pennant fall short against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

Naturally, Sterling is remembered for his personalized home run calls. To name but a few:

Alex Rodriguez ("An A-Bomb for A-Rod!!!")

Curtis Granderson ("The Grandy Man Can!!! Oh, The Grandy Man Can!!!)

Melky Cabrera ("The Melk Man delivers!!!)

Gleyber Torres ("It's Gleyber Day!!!)

Aaron Judge (All rise!!! Here comes The Judge!!!)

He is also remembered for his emphatic declaration after every Yankees victory, "Yankees win!!! Theeee Yankees win!!!"

Alas, this didn't go over very well in Boston especially when the Yankees beat the Red Sox.

But John Sterling's calls were, well, sterling.

Yet when I think of John Sterling, I think of his time with the Atlanta Braves during the early to mid 1980's. 

To be precise, I think of one game in particular. It took place on the Fourth of July 1985 between the Braves and the New York Mets. The Mets were leading 11-10 in the bottom of the 18th inning with the Braves one out away from defeat that appeared all but certain. Because coming to bat was relief pitcher Rick Camp, a career .074 hitter.

From here, I'll let John Sterling and Ernie Johnson set the scene.

John Sterling: Now two outs and no one on, the Mets are waving their outfielders in. The whole Met team waving their outfielders in. 

Here's Rick Camp the game on the line, two outs and no one on base.

And at least he took a good cut and followed it off.

Ernie, if he hits a home run to tie this game....

Ernie Johnson: Laughter!!!  

John Sterling: This game will be certified as absolutely the nuttiest in the history of baseball.

Ernie Johnson: Well, they could go to another pitcher but after 18 innings they've used just about everybody. 

John Sterling: Well, the only three guys left are Bedrosian, Perez, and Zane Smith. 

There's a strike 0 and 2.

Ernie Johnson: So they've researched that and they figure that Camp is the best hitter of the three left.

John Sterling: Right! It'll be an 0-2 pitch.

And he hits it to deep left!!! Heep goes back!!! And it's gone!!!

Holy cow!!! Oh, my goodness!!! 

I don't believe it!!! I don't believe it!!!

Rick Camp!!! Rick Camp!!!

I don't believe it!!!

Remember what I just said. If he hits a home run. That certifies this game as the wackiest, wildest, most improbable game in history.

On an 0-2 pitch, Rick Camp hit it over the left centerfield wall. I don't believe it!!!

If you only knew on the Braves, we kid Rick Camp about his hitting more than anything.

Ernie!!!

Ernie Johnson: Nobody can believe it!!! 

John Sterling: Camp makes it 11-11!!! His first major league homer!!!

I mean that is the most improbable act!!! Let's see it again!!! Ernie!!!

Ernie Johnson: We got to look at this another 50 times!!! Back goes Heep. It's out of here. 

John Sterling: And it hit the football bleachers. 

I mean if you told me John Sterling's gonna run for President and win that would be any more improbable. And I got to tell you that's improbable.

Unbelievable!!!

Well, John Sterling being President of the United States doesn't sound like a such a bad thing.

But it illustrates the odds of Rick Camp hitting a home run moments after Sterling mused about such a possibility. Such a notion was inconceivable. And yet it happened.

The serendipity and sheer joy in John Sterling's voice is why this is one of my favorite baseball clips which I play several times a year. It never fails to improve my mood even on this sad day. R.I.P.