Aaron Judge says the Yankees could make John Sterling’s victory call a new Bronx ritual, played before “New York, New York.”
Aaron Judge is championing a new Bronx tradition: letting John Sterling’s iconic victory call boom over Yankee Stadium after wins, right before the first notes of “New York, New York.”
In the wake of Sterling’s death. Judge said the gesture would serve as a fitting tribute to the broadcaster who became part of the game’s rhythm for generations of Yankees fans.. After the Yankees topped Baltimore. completing a four-game sweep. Sterling’s familiar “Ballgame over” sign-off was played over the public-address system following the final out.
This kind of recurring stadium moment matters because it turns remembrance into something shared and repeatable, reinforcing how sports landmarks often become cultural landmarks.
The night was also a reminder of why Yankees fans look for pattern and personality in their baseball.. Judge delivered a major league-leading home run early, then added a two-run single later, helping fuel a lopsided win.. As he rounded the bases. he recalled the homer call Sterling created for him. a signature that has long carried the optimism of a big night.
The franchise is already building the tribute around Sterling’s presence.. Ahead of the game. there was a pregame honor. and Judge wore a cap with Sterling’s “JS” initials on the back. a detail arranged quickly with help from a Bronx vendor.. Manager Aaron Boone said he has been using Sterling’s victory phrase in the dugout for a couple of years as a nod to what Sterling meant to the team.
For fans, the goal is simple: make a beloved voice feel woven into everyday celebration, not limited to one-time ceremonies.
Boone said this time the moment expanded beyond the dugout, with fans bellowing along as the PA system carried Sterling’s call at higher volume. The manager called it an enjoyable distraction, and both he and Judge emphasized that the timing matters, especially with the song coming right afterward.
Judge also spoke to the broader arc of the season, noting how performance swings often come with a constant search for improvement. Like many hitters, he described tinkering when things aren’t going well, and continuing to refine even when results are better.
The proposed “Sterling ending” could become one more familiar Yankees beat, a way the organization connects past and present each night the team takes care of business.