Within Our Hearts
A special tribute poem for Mr. John Sterling
Thank you for those spring, summer, and fall nights.
Thank you for sharing your vocal soundtrack under the lights.
Thank you for taking the broadcast booth to theatrical heights.
Thank you for teaching us the game of baseball & the passion it ignites.
Within our memory are the days.
Within our memory are the plays.
Within our memory you amaze.
Within our hearts you remain, always.
Each ball “all the way to the wall.”
Every home run your voice, still makes the call.
When there’s a flash of the leather a, “how do you like that?” follows.
Echoes of your golden pipes shake Monument Park’s legendary hollows.
With sweet energetic magic the microphone was your glove.
You tickle the clouds when you speak with kindness, respect, & love.
From the Joe Garagiola phrase, “a room service double play”,
To the “back to back & a belly to belly”, & the songs of Broadway,
The, “You can’t predict baseball.” &, “That’s baseball, Suzyn!” without delay,
The booth was your stage for vocal ballet.
Pa Pinstripe, every game you entered our ears.
Sharing wisdom & stories through all the years.
Tailored suits with a scarf added when the weather got cold,
Taught us true style never grows old.
Behind every pitch and, “there’s a strike.”,
Along with each swing you made radio dreamlike.
Our minds could see each play you described,
Words with power among historic Yankee moments that are forever inscribed.
“It is high.” “It is far”. “It is gone.” , Is the fabric of Bronx Bomber mystique.
“He’s gonna get it.” “He’s done it”. That’s beautiful play by play technique.
“Stepping up to the microphone, the voice of the New York Yankees,
John Sterling!” We thank you! We love you! God bless you!
Thank you for those spring, summer, and fall nights.
Thank you for sharing your vocal soundtrack under the lights.
Thank you for taking the broadcast booth to theatrical heights.
Thank you for teaching us the game of baseball & the passion it ignites.
Within our memory are the days.
Within our memory are the plays.
Within our memory you amaze.
Within our hearts you remain, always.
In loving memory of John Sterling.
Keep painting those words, & mind how you go!