The New York Yankees have been searching near and far for the heir apparent to John Sterling. While the legendary voice who retired earlier this season will return to call the playoffs for WFAN this fall, the radio giant still hasn’t landed on who will be his successor.
It was reported earlier this week that Seattle Mariners TV play-by-play voice Dave Sims had interviewed for the position. Replacing Sterling would be a full circle moment for the 71-year-old Sims, who got his start at the New York Daily News, before venturing into radio, hosting a midday show on WFAN with Ed Coleman from 1989-93. He also was a weekend sports anchor at WCBS-TV in New York, as well as a radio host for the New York Knicks.
Sims has worn many hats, but has yet to wear a Yankees cap. Perhaps that’s in the cards, but he’s not the only candidate to replace Sterling. On Friday, the New York Post reported that in addition to Sims, the other finalist is Rickie Ricardo, who has been part of a rotating contingent that’s filled in for Sterling alongside Suzyn Waldman this season.
Ryan Glasspiegel’s reporting narrows down the race to be Sims and Ricardo, but he also notes that Marlins announcer Paul Severino had some initial discussions with the Bronx Bombers, but is not among the finalists to be the Yankees’ radio voice.
As for Ricardo, the longtime Spanish language announcer made his statement to WFAN and New York Yankees fans everywhere that he should be the one to take the torch from Sterling earlier this season, with an incredible Jazz Chisholm Jr. home run call.
Whether that — and his experience working with Waldman — gives him the edge over Sims remains to be seen.
[NY Post]
