NEW YORK -- John Sterling has called all but two New York Yankees game since taking over as the team's radio play-by-play announcer in 1989. That streak, which began after he missed two games that first season, is about to end.
Feeling a little run down, Sterling will finally take a breather this weekend when the Yankees play a four-game series at Tampa Bay beginning Thursday -- his 81st birthday. Ryan Ruocco will fill in, giving Sterling an eight-day respite that includes the All-Star break next week.
Sterling just got back from London, where the Yankees swept two games from the rival Boston Red Sox last weekend.