John Sterling Cause of Death & Heart Issues: How Did Beloved Yankees Broadcaster Die?

John Sterling spent 36 years as the play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees, becoming a familiar and beloved figure known as "The Voice of the Yankees."

Sterling died on May 4, 2026, at the age of 87. That has a lot of fans wondering how Sterling died. "There will never be another John Sterling. His voice and legacy will live on forever," The Yankees wrote in a tribute. Tributes flooded in from fans. "One of the greats. Up there with Chick Hearn, Vin Scully and Al McCoy. RIP," wrote one person on X.

What Was John Sterling's Cause of Death?

There will never be another John Sterling. His voice and legacy will live on forever pic.twitter.com/66UvZWdhdb

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 4, 2026

According to The New York Times, Sterling's death "was announced by WFAN, which did not say where he died nor specify a cause." However, Sterling "suffered heart failure about a week ago," The Times reported, citing YES Network play-by-play announcer Michael Kay's ESPN radio show. Awful Announcing gave Sterling's cause of death as "heart failure."

In February, MLB.com reported that Sterling had a heart attack but was in "good spirits."

According to MLB.com, Sterling "said he is recovering well after suffering a heart attack in early January." He retired in April 2024, according to MLB.com.

"I'm kind of waiting for the force to leave my legs and I can get back out there," Sterling said to WFAN at that time. "I'm very fortunate, and all things are good."

Tragically, Sterling wanted to live long enough to see his daughter get married this summer and walk her down the aisle. But he didn't make it that long.

"But he had trouble about a week ago. Heart failure, and then he finally succumbed today," radio host Michael Kay said, according to Awful Announcing. "The only thing he wanted to do, he was unable to make it."

WFAN Sports Radio confirmed Sterling's death, writing in a statement, "We are devastated to hear about the passing of John Sterling, a WFAN and Yankees radio icon whose voice was synonymous with an entire generation of Yankee fandom. Rest in peace, John."

John Sterling Had a Former Wife & 4 Kids

According to People,Sterling was no longer married. His former wife was Jennifer Contreras, to whom he was married from 1996 to 2008.

"The former couple shared four children, three of whom were triplets," People reported.

"Well, I'm very fortunate," Sterling told the New York Post in 2024. "I have four wonderful kids. And I really mean that. They're very good people. And they have no prejudices. And they're a joy."

"I waited a long time before getting married and having children so it meant even more to me," he added to the New York Post. "In the newspapers it will read so corny, but what I did was just give them all the love I could every day of their lives."

Fans Called John Sterling 'the Voice of My Youth' & the 'Voice of Our Childhood'

"The voice of my youth. I listened to many games he called on the radio. RIP," wrote a fan.

"Voice of our childhood. The sound of his calls are scorched into our memories. It was a Wild ride.... Rest in Peace," another fan wrote. "Greatest and will never be anyone better," a fan lamented.

Related: Iconic Longtime Radio Voice for the New York Yankees Dies at 87

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 7:31 PM.