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A viral clip online shows legendary New York Yankees play-by-play radio announcer John Sterling being hit in the face by a foul ball during Saturday's (June 10) win against the rival Boston Red Sox.
The footage shows Sterling, 84, in the booth calling the final at-bat of the Yankees' 3-1 win. The veteran broadcaster is heard calling a foul ball off the bat of Red Sox third baseman Justin Turner as, "a pop foul...back here," before the ball hits his face.
"Ow, ow, ow! It really hit me, I didn't know it was coming back that far," Sterling is heard saying after being hit by the ball.
The 84-year-old continued calling the at-bat as pitcher Clay Holmes forced a groundout to end the game, with Sterling providing his signature "Yankees win" line as if nothing had happened.
"You know, that ball actually hit me, it kinda glanced on my forehead," Sterling told the radio audience during the broadcast as the game ended. "So I took one for the team."
Shortly after, Sterling's broadcast partner Suzyn Waldman was on the field with Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka, who was credited as 'the star of the game' and asked if the announcer was alright after being hit by the ball.
"Yes, I am OK, just a glancing blow," Sterling responded.
The 84-year-old provided more context prior to the Yankees' 3-2 loss in the final game of the series on Sunday.
“I only said ‘Ow’ [on the call] because that’s what I always say,’’ Sterling said via the New York Post. “It wasn’t bad at all. I never thought about not finishing the game.’’