The 2025 MLB season marks a historic shift in New York Yankees radio broadcasts. It will be the first time in over three decades that the unmistakable voice of John Sterling won’t be on the call for the team’s season opener. For millions of fans who have grown accustomed to his signature “Theeeeeee Yankees win!” and colorful commentary, this is a seismic change. 

But as Sterling steps back, handing over the microphone to Dave Sims, the new voice of Yankees baseball, you might expect the weight of 30 years of iconic calls to be a heavy burden on Sims’ shoulders. The pressure to live up to Sterling’s legendary status seems like it could crush even the most seasoned broadcaster. But Sims? He’s taking it in stride. 

Like John Sterling? Nope, the new Yankee broadcaster has got its own style 

On Thursday, Dave Sims joined Michael Kay on Yankees Hot Stove. As for the pressure of replacing a legend? Well, Sims isn’t sweating it. “I’m just gonna be me,” he says matter-of-factly. “That’s all I can be. I’m not gonna imitate anybody. If I was looking to imitate somebody, I’d become an actor.” Sense pride in Sims’ voice? Why wouldn’t there be? He’s a New York native who’s lived and breathed the city’s media landscape for years, building up a rapport with local fans that goes beyond just calling games. 

“I’ve done Daily News, WFAN, WNBC, MSG, NBC, CBS, I’ve done it all. So it’s a homecoming. I’m not a guy who just landed from Mars. People know who I am. People who have the radio and TV packages available at MLB.com, the MLB At-Bat app, they know who the heck I am.” Sims said. Well, he WAS the radio host for the New York Knicks for eight years, from 1986 to 1993 – almost a part of the city’s sports culture. So, to be fair, this season, don’t expect Sims to pretend to be someone he’s not.  

Dave Sims is far from a stranger to the world of New York sports broadcasting 

While Sims developed his calling abilities during those years in the NBA’s fast-paced action, his connection to New York sports continued. He also spoke regularly on WFAN for four years (1989–1993). Sims’ journey to the position really started intriguingly: his name was initially mentioned as a possible contender by a WFAN caller. The excitement surrounding Sims’ possible hire soon became indisputable as Suzyn Waldman casually mentioned on-air that his name was in the running.  

Naturally, Sims’ career did not stop in New York. He has been the Seattle Mariners‘ play-by-play announcer since 2007, establishing a strong reputation as one of the game’s most engaging commentators. According to his X profile, he has won three Washington Sportscaster of the Year awards for his work in Seattle, among many other honors. However, there’s something even more remarkable in Dave Sims’ career – his strong dedication to conserving the history of Black baseball.  

When Seattle hosted the midsummer classic in 2023, he had the privilege of serving as the broadcaster for the first-ever HBCU Swingman Classic at T-Mobile Park during the All-Star Weekend. That game was a celebration of the rich history and continuing contributions of Black athletes to baseball, showcasing the skills of players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). So, here’s something for the Yankees fans! Fasten your seatbelts! With the formal arrival of the Sims Era, you won’t want to miss this exciting journey. Would you?