May 22, 2024
John Sterling, 84, reveals positive update after being left bloodied by foul ball live on air

John Sterling, 84, reveals positive update after being left bloodied by foul ball live on air

Legendary Yankees broadcaster John Sterling, 84, reveals positive update after being left bloodied by foul ball during live call… as video emerges of the moment he was struck in the face

  • John Sterling was left shocked – and bloodied – by a rogue foul ball on Saturday 
  • He told fans he was okay and thanked them for well-wishes in a video Sunday
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news 

Legendary New York Yankees radio broadcaster John Sterling, 84, has thanked fans for their concern after he was smashed in the face by a foul ball during the team’s win over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night.

Sterling was left bloodied by the errant ball but kept calling the game, and now footage has been released of both the moment the incident occurred, and of the veteran journalist thanking his fans.

Speaking the day after he was hit, and while preparing to go back on air for the series finale in the Bronx on Sunday night, he revealed: ‘First of all, to all the Yankees fans, I am fine. It hit me in the head, but I’ve got a lot of muscle up there so I was okay.

‘I thank you for all the warm, wonderful, loving thoughts. But anyway, I’m fine!

‘It produced phone calls and texts from all the people who love me, so it really turned out to be a very good thing. But I’m 100 percent, no problem.’

John Sterling is hit by a foul ball inside the commentary booth at Yankee Stadium on Saturday

John Sterling is hit by a foul ball inside the commentary booth at Yankee Stadium on Saturday

The 84-year-old reacted with shock and clutched his face after the scary incident live on air

The 84-year-old reacted with shock and clutched his face after the scary incident live on air

The incident occurred in the top of the ninth of the Yankees’ 3-1 victory, when Red Sox third baseman Justin Turner fouled back the 3-2 pitch from New York reliever Clay Holmes.

The ball went back over the netting behind the home plate seats and flew right into the WFAN broadcast booth where Sterling was sitting.

Those listening into the game could hear Sterling getting hit, and his shocked reaction afterwards.

Sterling, above in 2009, is 84 and a Yankees legend, his voice synonymous with the team

Sterling, above in 2009, is 84 and a Yankees legend, his voice synonymous with the team 

Boston Red Sox third baseman Justin Turner's foul ball flew over the nets and into the booth

Boston Red Sox third baseman Justin Turner’s foul ball flew over the nets and into the booth

‘Ow! Ow! Ow! It really hit me,’ Sterling said live on the air. ‘I didn’t know it was coming back that far.’

Sterling’s longtime broadcast partner and analyst Suzyn Waldman had left the booth to go to the locker rooms for postgame interviews. 

But Sterling, the ever so professional veteran continued to call the at-bat, which turned out to be the game’s last.

Turner grounded out to third base which the Yankees turned with ease – grabbing the victory over their hated rivals.

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