When the New York Yankees presented legendary play-by-play announcer John Sterling with an 83-inch TV as a retirement present in April, fans were not impressed. But while social media raked the Bombers over the coals for their cringey gift, the legendary broadcaster said he doesn’t see what the big (83-inch, even) deal is.
“Now, I can’t believe all the fuss and feathers about my retirement, and the Yankees staged a beautiful day,” Sterling told Jimmy Traina on a recent episode of the “SI Media With Jimmy Traina” podcast. “My kids were all there, and it was great. I didn’t want any gifts!”
Sterling surprised Yankees faithful by announcing his retirement from the broadcast booth in April, early in the MLB season. The Yankees held a ceremony celebrating the broadcaster’s 36 years of service on April 20, during which the team presented him with the enormous TV.
Talkin’ Yanks took to X to post a video of Yankees manager Aaron Boone and second baseman Gleyber Torres carrying the TV out of the first base dugout and plopping it in front of Sterling: