Yankees broadcaster John Sterling, 84, is left bloodied after getting hit with a foul ball

New York Yankees radio broadcaster John Sterling got closer to the action than he may ever have before after being plunked by a foul ball in Saturday night’s game against the rival Boston Red Sox.

In the top of the ninth of what would be a 3-1 Yankees victory, 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.

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

New York Yankees radio announcer John Sterling was hit with a foul ball on Saturday night

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

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.

Sterling was struck on the left eyebrow and told viewers that aside from ‘a little bit of blood’ that he’d be ready to go back into the booth for Sunday’s series-deciding matchup.

‘I’m not going on the IL,’ Sterling assured his listeners – who have been used to his voice calling Yankees broadcasts since 1989.

Sterling was hit on the eyebrow, but continued calling the game and says he’ll be okay

Emmanuel Berbari, a WFAN Yankees postgame show host, was in the booth when Sterling was hit and he and another employee reportedly went to the scoreboard booth to ask for a Band-Aid.

‘He not only called the next pitch,’ Berbari told The Athletic, ‘he gave the classic oomph on the final call as well. It was an awesome performance.’

And, Berbari said, Sterling joked about the scary incident after the final out: ‘That’s how tough you need to be a Yankees broadcaster.’

Since starting in 1989, Sterling didn’t miss a single game until July 2019. He reportedly did miss 23 games from May 11 to June 6 due to a cold and his children’s graduation.