DETAIL NEWS: John Sterling, the iconic voice of the Yankees for 35 years, announced his retirement with immediate effect.

Per Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, 85-year-old Sterling who has been a broadcaster for 64 years is anticipated to retire, citing health concerns.

The team will recognize his contributions during Saturday’s pregame ceremony for the Yankees-Rays game, and will also visit the WFAN radio booth during the game.

Sterling shared in a statement,

“I am a very blessed human being. I have been able to do what I wanted, broadcasting, for 64 years. As a little boy growing up in New York as a Yankees fan, I was able to broadcast the Yankees for 36 years. It’s all to my benefit, and I leave very, very happy. I look forward to seeing everyone again on Saturday.”

He has been broadcasting the Yankees games on the radio since 1989, then for WABC Radio, and for WFAN called 5,420 regular-season Yankees games and 211 more in the postseason.

Since the Yankee Entertainment and Sports Network was officially launched in 2022, he has become an integral part of Yankees’ programming on the YES Network. Also, a mainstay and voiceover for Yankeeography and Yankees Classics.

Per updates, WFAN will replace Sterling with 37-year-old Justin Shackil and 24-year-old Emmanuel Berbari, who combined are 24 years younger than Sterling. They have already slated to call a majority of the road games this season with Suzyn Waldman.

According to officials with sources of information, Sterling had informed Yankee and WFAN officials that he planned to retire last week.