NEW YORK, NY — When icons in any type of industry pass away, those from corners of all over the world appear with special tributes and heartfelt messages.
The passing of John Sterling last Monday elicited a ton of tributes which was not surprising given that he was the radio voice of the Yankees for 36 years. Most of the reminiscence dealt with Sterling’s theatrical home run calls which were tailor-made for each Bronx Bomber.
Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
What has been overlooked has been Sterling’s first media job in the New York market. Many baby boomers who were in high school in the New York area fondly remember his nightly sports call-in show on WMCA when it was known as “dialog radio” in the early 1970s.
While sports talk radio has been a popular format across the United States for years, it was a novelty in 1973 when John Sterling came to WMCA. Bill Mazer was the first sports talk radio host in New York on WNBC in the late 1960s, while Jack Spector, who Sterling succeeded, followed in 1970.
Both Mazer and Spector were genial types who welcomed callers. Sterling took a different tact. He believed being confrontational with callers was the way to grab ratings. He created a persona which was a mix of Joe Pyne, Morton Downey, Jr., and Don Rickles. Listening to Sterling snap at callers who did not measure up made for compelling radio.
My cousin Dave enjoyed parrying with him on the air. Dave would propose preposterous, one-sided baseball trades, as well come up with fictitious Russian hockey players who had naught double- entendre names who the Rangers should try to defect from the USSR. Sterling would pretend to be enraged.
Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
I remember a call I made to him in 1974. One of his side gigs was doing play-by-play for the New York Raiders of the World Hockey Association, and the New York Stars of the World Football League. Within a few months of their inception, the Stars relocated to Charlotte, NC, while the Raiders moved to the Philadelphia suburb of Cherry Hill.
I recalled his fledgling New York sportscasting career and then said, “John, I believe if the Yankees made you their play-by-play man, they would be playing their home games in Albuquerque by July!” “Some of my friends have said the same thing!” he candidly replied.
Many years later, when I met John Sterling in person in the Yankee Stadium media dining room, I recounted those WMCA days to him. He told me he appreciated the creativity of the callers. “Please send my regards to Dave!” he chuckled as we were finishing our conversation.
John enjoyed it when I gave him copies of my columns of the Queens Chronicle. “You should be writing for the dailies or Sports Illustrated!” he exclaimed. I told him I appreciated the kind words, but I was very content to be part of Queens’ newspaper of record.
Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
John Sterling will be sorely missed.
Remembering and Paying Tribute to Ted Turner
Ted Turner’s contribution to the media world and sports cannot be overstated. His founding on CNN helped fuel the growth of cable television in the early 1980s. He owned both the Atlanta Braves, and a local television station, Channel 17, in the early 1980s. The Dallas Cowboys may be known as America’s team, but from the Ragan era, right up until the end of the 20th century, the Braves deserved that moniker because Turner used his leverage with CNN to get cable operators across the country to carry his station.
Turner was a big wrestling fan, and his World Championship Wrestling promotion on cable’s TBS Network got higher ratings years over Vince McMahon’s WWE on USA Network when they went head-to-head on Monday nights. Legendary grappler Ric “Nature Boy” Flair paid tribute to Turner when he learned of his passing by publicly thanking him for helping him, and so many of his peers, earn a good living.
I met Ted Turner when I was covering the 2014 Sports Emmy Awards and he was the worthy recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. I asked him about the Goodwill Games he created in the 1990s as an Olympics-like competition between the United States and Russia in various sports, winning the America’s Cup when he was the skipper of Courageous, and the time he put on a uniform and managed the Atlanta Braves for a game.
“Are you a newspaper man?” he asked me excitedly. I was proud to reply affirmatively.
Ronny Mauricio lands on Injured List with broken thumb
With Francisco Lindor out of action with a calf injury, this was finally the opportunity for perennial prospect Ronny Mauricio to prove himself at shortstop when the Mets needed him the most. Last week, however, Mauricio broke his thumb foolishly sliding into first base trying to beat out a single. He is now on the injured list and there is no timetable for his return. You must wonder whether Mauricio will be playing with another organization next year.
Image Credit: Francisco Rodriguez/Latino Sports
I am not sure if this a sign of troubled economy, a disappointing Mets season so far, or both, but the
Mets’ promotions for Subway Series
Mets have had to advertise on radio, social media, and on the platform of the “D” train 161st Street Yankee Stadium station to promote this weekend’s Subway Series. In addition, the first 15,000 fans on Saturday and Sunday will get a free Subway Series t-shirt. Things have certainly changed.
Tickets for second half of 2026 Mets season now available
The Mets delayed offering individual game tickets for the second half of 2026 because they figured they could charge higher prices for a team destined for the playoffs. File this under the category of the best-laid plans of mice and men. With their tails between their legs, the Mets’ ticketing department has now made all games available for the rest of the season.
Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
To sweeten the pot, the Mets are offering numerous giveaways including countless bobbleheads and replica jerseys. The best ticket deals, however, in my opinion, are the July 7 beach blanket, and an August 18 bucket hat offerings.
AARP’s sponsorship with Nationals
Most MLB teams have sponsors who pay for advertising on player uniforms. I must chuckle seeing the AARP insignia on the sleeves of the Washington Nationals players considering no Nationals hitter is over 28 years old.
New York Giants to host a town hall at Beacon Theater on Monday, May 18th
The New York Giants will host a town hall at Manhattan’s Beacon Theater on Monday evening (May 18) from 7-9 PM. Head coach John Harbaugh, general manager Joe Schoen, QB Jaxson Dart, and many other current and former Big Blue players will address fans, take questions, and sign autographs.
Paley Center looking forward to all the fun surrounding 2026 FIFA World Cup
The Paley Center will have a FIFA World Cup preview with panelists and retired American soccer greats Alexei Lalas and Carli Lloyd on Thursday, May 21. Also taking part will be FOX soccer air personalities Rob Stone and Stu Holden.
Image Credit: Paley Center
The Paley will also launch a history of soccer in the US exhibit on June 11 which is timed to kick off with the start of the 2026 World Cup tournament.
If you want to watch any, or all, of the 104 scheduled matches on a big screen, you can also do so at the Paley Museum.
Where to watch 2026 FIFA World Cup
If you choose to watch the World Cup in the privacy of your home, both FOX Sports and Telemundo will be broadcasting every game.
Fanatics Fest’s plans for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Attendees who attend Fanatics Fest at Javits Center in mid-July will be able to sit in the audience for the press conferences for the FIFA World Cup semifinals and finals. The championship game on July 19, the last day of Fanatics Fest, will be shown on a giant screen there.
A Must Visit in NYC: “The Mind of a Serial Killer”
True crime has always been a guilty pleasure (yes, pun intended) for the public. Cable networks Oxygen and ID are dedicated strictly to the subject; as are NBC’s “Dateline” and CBS’s “48 Hours.” And let’s not forget the countless scripted procedural television shows such as “Law & Order,” “Criminal Minds,” “Tracker,” and countless others.
Image Credit: The Mind of a Serial Killer Exhibit
The recently opened “The Mind of a Serial Killer” exhibit located in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood at 526 Sixth Avenue (the corner of 14th Street & Avenue of the Americas) tells the story of some of the most infamous murderers in history in a way that is fascinating, and yes, grisly.
The exhibit recounts the twisted stories of Jeffrey Dahmer, Aileen Wuronos, and the slayer who had movie star looks, Ted Bundy, all of whom have been portrayed by actors in films over the years.
While those are the best-known deviants, lesser-remembered killers as Richard Ramirez, Dennis “BTK” Rader and Gary Ridgway, get their due. Television news clips from when their heinous acts were occurring, will trigger memories of the 1970s and 1980s for many of us.
“The Mind of a Serial Killer” surprisingly ignores both Charles Manson and David “Son of Sam” Berkowitz, although they are part of a rogues’ gallery of oversized photos when you enter, as is the recently confessed Gilgo Beach serial killer, Rex Heuermann.
“The Mind of a Serial Killer” is open every day of the week and can be reached by taking the “F” or “M” trains. Tickets are cheapest on Wednesdays. Taking photos is permitted.
You can read more of Lloyd Carroll’s columns posted weekly on The Queens Chronicle.
