Announcing Mannerisms
Sterling has several idiosyncrasies that mark his broadcasts as distinctive, if also divisive. In addition to a colorful vocal personality, Sterling has distinguished himself for sometimes characterizing plays differently than they may appear and for his announcing errors, habits that spark high feelings in fans and lead to comparisons with announcers like Phil Rizzuto.
Following the final out of a Yankees victory, Sterling calls "Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!" The length of the word "the" is held longer after dramatic victories, as well as after victories resulting in championships (which Sterling also punctuates by saying the name of whichever series is over). It has been played over the public address system at Yankee Stadium after every Yankees victory for the past several seasons, right before Frank Sinatra's cover of "Theme from New York, New York" is played. The phrase evolved from Sterling's call of Mel Hall's game-winning three-run homer in the ninth inning on May 27, 1991, to give the Yankees a dramatic Memorial Day win over the Boston Red Sox.
One of his signature radio remarks is his home run call "It is high, it is far, it is gone!" He devises a personalized catchphrase for every Yankee player.
For back to back home runs, especially homers from opposite sides of the plate, Sterling references Harry Belafonte's "Zombie Jamboree" by saying "its a back to back!...and a belly to belly!" In addition, sometimes before a pitch he will say "theeeeeee pitch," lengthening the word the. If a batter swings and misses, Sterling will often say "cuuuuut on-and-missed," elongating the word cut, followed by on-n-miss pronounced as one quick word. After a strikeout swinging, he says "STRUCK HIM OUT SWINGING!", and for a strikeout looking he calls "STRIIIIKE THREE!", elongating the 'I' in strike.
In all cases when Sterling emphasizes the word "the," as is one of his signatures, he uses not the long ē ("thee") but the schwa ə ("thuh").
Read more about this topic: John Sterling (sportscaster)
Famous quotes containing the word announcing:
“At night thousands of names and slogans are outlined in neon, and searchlight beams often pierce the sky, perhaps announcing a motion picture premiere, perhaps the opening of a new hamburger stand.”
—For the State of California, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)