Legendary Yankees radio voice John Sterling received a special gift from Justin Turner on Sunday less than a day after the Red Sox slugger’s foul ball hit the 84-year-old broadcaster during New York’s win over Boston.
Sterling, a Yankees announcer since 1989, made headlines Saturday after he took Turner’s errant hit off his head in the ninth inning and kept calling the game. Amazingly, Sterling not only avoided serious injury, though he did experience some bleeding, but he also declared he would be on-hand for Sunday’s rubber match.
A true man of his word, Sterling was, as promised, at Yankee Stadium for the latest showdown between the longtime rivals. However, this time, Sterling was welcomed, instead of rudely interrupted, in the booth by a baseball that thoughtfully included Turner’s signature.
Fellow Yankees radio broadcaster Suzyn Waldman shared an Instagram post of Sterling taking a picture with a ball signed by Turner prior to the game. The classy gift even included a band-aid across the top, as a playful nod to Sterling’s matching bandage on the left side of his face.
Turner’s gesture made for a nice follow-up to a scary moment for Sterling, whose close encounter was shared online earlier in the day in an incredible video courtesy of the team.
Needless to say, Sterling certainly displayed his toughness by not missing a beat and returning to his seat Sunday. But, while the veteran’s actions exemplify having a “hard hat and a lunch pail” mentality, Sterling likely still can’t believe, after 34 years of broadcasting, that the mantra actually became a literal suggestion.
"I took one for the team." -John Sterling, Legend. @WFAN660 pic.twitter.com/ec9FA7xSnt
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 11, 2023
