NEW YORK -- John Sterling, the legendary radio play-by-play voice of the Yankees, is stepping away from his microphone.
The team announced on Monday that Sterling, who has been a fixture calling Bronx Bombers games for more than three decades, has decided to retire, effective immediately.
Sterling, who will turn 86 on July 4, will be honored during a pregame ceremony on Saturday before the Yankees play the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.
"I am a very blessed human being. I have been able to do what I wanted, broadcasting for 64 years. As a little boy growing up in New York as a Yankees fan, I was able to broadcast the Yankees for 36 years.