The New York Yankees are ushering in a new era for their radio broadcasts, with the team reportedly close to a deal with veteran broadcaster Dave Sims to take over as the new play-by-play broadcaster on WFAN. As first reported by The New York Post's Ryan Glasspiegel, Sims has reached a verbal agreement, and a two-year contract is expected to be finalized soon, according to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand.
A familiar face in sports broadcasting
At 71, Sims brings decades of experience to the Yankees' radio team. He has spent the past 17 seasons calling games for the Seattle Mariners on TV but will now return to the New York sports scene, where his career began. Sims will replace longtime Yankees broadcaster John Sterling, who retired early last season after 35 years due to health concerns.
Sims will team up with veteran analyst Suzyn Waldman on the radio broadcasts. Waldman, who has been with the Yankees since 2005, will continue her role as the radio colour commentator. Last season, Justin Shackil stepped in as the primary play-by-play voice, with Emmanuel Berbari also part of the mix, filling the void left by Sterling's departure.
A return to New York for Sims
For Sims, joining the Yankees marks a full-circle moment in his career. His journey in media began in New York as a reporter for the New York Daily News, before he transitioned to radio, where he hosted WNBC’s “SportsNight” and co-hosted WFAN’s midday show alongside Ed Coleman.
He also served as a weekend sports anchor at WCBS and as a host for the New York Knicks radio broadcasts, all before moving west to cover the Mariners.
Throughout his career, Sims has demonstrated his versatility, broadcasting a wide range of sports. He covered track and field for NBC during the 1988 Summer Olympics, called college basketball for Fox and FS1, and even lent his voice to NFL broadcasts for Westwood One, including Sunday Night Football.
A storied career in Baseball broadcasting
Sims is no stranger to the spotlight in the world of baseball. He began calling Major League Baseball (MLB) games for ESPN before joining the Mariners' broadcast team in 2007. He is also a finalist for the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award, which honours excellence in baseball broadcasting, and he joins John Sterling as one of the top ten contenders for the 2025 award.
Among his career highlights are calling two perfect games, one by Philip Humber in 2012 and another by Félix Hernández in 2012 and covering the Mariners’ 2022 postseason run.
Now, with the Yankees, Sims will hope to add even more iconic moments to his resume, especially as Yankees fans eagerly anticipate future postseason appearances.
Sims’ arrival marks an exciting chapter for Yankees radio broadcasts. Fans can expect a fresh, experienced voice calling the action as the team continues its pursuit of championships. With his deep ties to New York and extensive broadcasting background, Sims is well-positioned to bring his unique energy to one of baseball's most storied franchises.
