After retiring from his position as New York Yankees’ broadcaster in April 2021, John Sterling is rumored to be considering a return for the team’s postseason, according to insiders at both the Yankees and WFAN radio station. Since his retirement, which was recognized with a ceremony by the Yankees, his position has been filled by Rickie Ricardo, Justin Shackil, and Emmanuel Berbari. However, Sterling was recently back in the broadcast booth providing commentary for a few innings, sparking speculation about a comeback.
The decision lies in the hands of Chris Oliviero, the president of Audacy New York, who oversees WFAN. No formal approach has been made to Sterling yet, and Oliviero declined to comment on the situation. Sterling himself expressed concern, saying that he wouldn’t want to impact the current broadcasters’ jobs.
Initial talks suggest that if Sterling were to come back, he would be required to cover all home and road playoff games – a commitment that he struggled with before his retirement due to travel demands. However, Sterling has stated that the playoff schedule is more manageable, which could potentially sway his decision.
Should he decide to return, Sterling may have the opportunity to call a few regular-season games to prepare for the postseason coverage. However, it has been suggested that he would resume retirement after this period, regardless of his decision.
In Sterling’s potential absence, WFAN and the Yankees are considering promoting his replacements, Ricardo, Shackil, and Berbari, to take over the position permanently. They have also discussed conducting a national search for his successor.
Recently, WFAN and the Yankees invited “Breakfast Ball” co-host, Craig Carton, from FS1 to provide commentary on some games. While he is not being considered as a full-time replacement for Sterling, executives were pleased with his performance and would consider inviting him back. However, Carton’s other professional obligations may prevent him from participating this season.
