Early Life and Education

John Sterling, born John Sloss on July 4, 1938, was raised in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York City. He pursued higher education at Moravian College and later attended Boston University. He also spent time studying at Columbia University, shaping the foundation for his eventual broadcasting career.

Career in Broadcasting

Sterling began his professional journey in broadcasting as a radio jockey at a local station in Wellsville, New York, while he was still a student. A significant milestone in his early career came in Baltimore, where he served as an announcer for the Baltimore Bullets, showcasing his growing talent as a sportscaster. From there, he spent seven years (until 1978) doing play-by-play commentary for Morgan State University.

Relocating to New York marked the advancement of his career. He became a talk show host on WMCA and expanded his portfolio by announcing games for several sports franchises including the New York Raiders (WHA), New York Stars (WFL), New York Islanders (NHL), and the New York and New Jersey Nets across both the ABA and NBA. During this period, he collaborated with other broadcasters such as Bob Lawrence and Mike DeTomasso.

Sterling’s association with the New York Yankees began in 1989, where he started as a pre-game host on radio stations like WMCA and WINS. Combining his passion with professionalism, his work alongside the legendary Mel Allen on cable television further expanded his influence. Since then, he has been the Yankees' radio play-by-play announcer, broadcasting every game until he briefly missed a few in 2019 due to illness—a remarkable streak lasting nearly 30 years.