Yankees games will never be quite the same on radio.
The team announced Monday that legendary play-by-play broadcaster John Sterling is retiring from the job he’s held since 1989, effective immediately, and a pregame ceremony will be held Saturday to commemorate his years calling the Bronx Bombers.
One of the things that endeared Sterling to Yankees fans was his endless enthusiasm for creating fun aphorisms on his home run calls.
After zealously announcing that, “It is high, it is far, it is gone!” Sterling would add a tagline unique to the Yankee who hit the home run.
The Post has compiled 10 such recurring calls that have stood out over the years.
Bernie Williams
Bernie Williams is atop many fans’ list of favorite Sterling home run calls.
This one, in which Williams’ home run tied the Yankees and Mariners at 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 4 of the 2001 ALCS, stood out.
“Bern baby Bern!” Sterling exclaimed.
Robinson Cano
Cano hit 204 home runs for the Yankees between 2005 and 2013.
Sterling brought out the rhymes for his dingers, saying, “Robby Cano — dontcha know!”
Alex Rodriguez
Sterling didn’t have the most politically correct call for Alex Rodriguez, who was on the Yankees from 2004 through his retirement following the 2016 season.
“An A-bomb from A-Rod!” Sterling would say when the 14-time All-Star went yard.
Jorge Posada
Posada played his entire big-league career, which began with one appearance in 1995 and concluded in 2011, with the Yankees.
“Jorgie juiced one!” Sterling said excitedly when the five-time All-Star got ahold of one.
Mark Teixeira
Teixeira joined the Yankees in 2009 and remained there until he retired following the 2016 season.
“He sent a Tex message!” Sterling would exclaim on Teixeira’s moon shots.
Aaron Judge
Judge has given Sterling ample opportunities to call home runs since he joined the Yankees’ roster in 2016, including the 62 he hit in 2022 to set a new American League record.
“All rise!” Sterling announced. “Here comes the Judge!”
Gio Urshela
Sterling didn’t just get up for superstars.
Urshela is a utility infielder who played for the Yankees from 2019-21, and Sterling broke into song for him.
“Gio Urshela, the most happy fella,” Sterling said, before singing the “most happy fella” part.
Gleyber Torres
Torres has played second base and shortstop for the Yankees since 2018.
For his home runs, Sterling has channeled Allstate’s slogan.
“Like a good Gleyber, Torres is there,” Sterling has said.
Jason Giambi
Sterling’s home run call for Giambi, who played for the Yankees from 2002-08, was a concise nod to Babe Ruth, whose nickname was the Great Bambino.
When Giambi homered for the Yankees, Sterling referred to him as the Giambino.
Hideki Matsui
Sterling invoked the third fight of the trilogy between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier — called the Thrilla in Manila — whenever Matsui homered for the Yankees.
“A thrilla from Godzilla!” Sterling announced on Matsui’s homers.
