Fun with John & Suzyn 2023

[JDPNYY]

He's got potential. I like that he is schtick-free and doesn't insult your intelligence by raving about how great guys like IKF and Willie Calhoun are, which Sterling does constantly.

He needs a lot of work on "painting the word picture," though. I was driving to North Carolina last Wednesday so had to depend on the radio-cast and he seemed to get flustered and tongue-tied on plays that unfolded in an unconventional way. One ball hit to first was a "line ball ... heading back toward first." A 2-strike Judge foul tip at the plate was "tapped back ... to the mound ... Judge stays alive."

I'd definitely be willing to bear with him while he sharpens up, though. Brendan Burke who does the Islander games auditioned last year and he's my favorite so far of the post-Sterling candidates. Rickie Ricardo is schtick-prone like Sterling but at least his eyes are good, doesn't mess up calls.

I'm up for letting him grow into a larger role. His "need to improve" deficiencies are a more enjoyable listen than:
John who can't see and shtick is the most important part of any broadcast
Michael who rarely watches the game because reading wikipedia is the most important part of any broadcast.
Ryan who should stick to basketball.

[HelloNewman]

Burke would have been a great choice but he was passed over by the Yankees because besides his Islanders work he also announces hockey games for TNT/TBS and will be doing baseball play by play for the Sunday Peacock games starting later this month.

Does that rule him out for the future gig, though? I'm assuming Johnny will be here for a few years yet.

[ymike673]

Does that rule him out for the future gig, though? I'm assuming Johnny will be here for a few years yet.

Good question. I hope it does not rule Burke up but I guess we will have to wait a few years to see how it plays out.

[scine20]

Speaking of Sterling, where is he? They said he may miss road games but he’s now missed 5 home games and I can’t find any explanations as to why. I know his kids graduated from college so I assumed that’s why he missed the last 3 series but I would have thought he’d be back by now, especially with this being a home series.

[HelloNewman]

Speaking of Sterling, where is he? They said he may miss road games but he’s now missed 5 home games and I can’t find any explanations as to why. I know his kids graduated from college so I assumed that’s why he missed the last 3 series but I would have thought he’d be back by now, especially with this being a home series.

He was under the weather with a supposedly minor illness when this "streak" of not announcing started. I assumed he'd be back for the homestand as well and was surprised he wasn't back last night. Not sure what's going on.

[ymike673]

He was under the weather with a supposedly minor illness when this "streak" of not announcing started. I assumed he'd be back for the homestand as well and was surprised he wasn't back last night. Not sure what's going on.

I hope it's nothing serious.

[Portbb]

The only articles I read about Sterling said that he was reducing his schedule in 2023 similar to what Vin Scully did in 2015 and 2016 prior to his retirement. Could be nothing specific as to illness or family events, just a reduced schedule. I'd take off days during colder April and May days too.

[HelloNewman]

The only articles I read about Sterling said that he was reducing his schedule in 2023 similar to what Vin Scully did in 2015 and 2016 prior to his retirement. Could be nothing specific as to illness or family events, just a reduced schedule. I'd take off days during colder April and May days too.

I read those too but Suzyn definitely said at the start of this absence that he was "under the weather."

[ymike673]

I read those too but Suzyn definitely said at the start of this absence that he was "under the weather."

Yes. Missing a few road trips is one thing. But missing home games tells me that John might be sick.

[scine20]

Michael Kay said on his show yesterday that Sterling is currently “under the weather.”

[JL25and3]

Michael Kay said on his show yesterday that Sterling is currently “under the weather.”

That sounds serious.

[HelloNewman]

https://nypost.com/2023/05/25/john-s...0AqTDrP1uDY5Rs

John Sterling will miss this weekend’s home series against the Padres and will skip the Yankees’ West Coast trip next week because he is under the weather.

Sterling, 84, is expected to return to the Yankee broadcast booth on June 6.

While his illness is keeping him out, it was not described as serious.

[sjb23]

https://nypost.com/2023/05/25/john-s...0AqTDrP1uDY5Rs

Thanks for posting this. I was (and still am) concerned.

[HelloNewman]

Of course, "it was not described as serious" means something different than "it was described as not serious." Since Post writers and editors aren't known for having an unerring command of the English language, it's hard to know what exactly is being reported.

[HelloNewman]

John got hit by one of Justin Turner's 9th inning foul balls tonight. Gave him a glancing blow on the forehead. You could hear him yelling "OW, OW" in the background before he got back on the mike to finish the game. Swore it was the first time he'd ever been hit by a foul ball.

Seriously they need to put some plexiglass in front of him, at his age. An inch lower and it sounds like it could have killed him.