Un-retired John Sterling back in Yankees radio booth for game against Orioles

John Sterling was in his seat in the WFAN booth at Yankee Stadium, his suit crisply pressed and fresh off a visit to Manhattan for a haircut.

“It’s a little strange, but now it’s not strange,” he told Newsday. “Now I’m here. I was here a lot. I’m ready.”

This was 2 ½ hours before the start of Tuesday night’s game against the Orioles, Sterling’s first game back as the Yankees’ radio play-by-play man since April 7.

It was shortly after that that he retired after 36 years on the job, saying that at age 86 he was tired from the grind, and tired of working in general.

The Yankees even had a day to honor him at the Stadium on April 20.

Then earlier this month came the news that Sterling would un-retire for the playoffs, preceded by warmup games the last week of the regular season.

That began on Tuesday night, with a chance to call a division-clinching game.

“It’s a little strange, but how can it be strange?” he said. “I didn’t miss a game from the time I started with the Yankees to the middle part of 2019.

“But it’s going to be great. Once I begin, it’ll be like old times.”

A big reason for that is that Sterling was back working with his longtime partner, Suzyn Waldman, who spent the season working with fill-ins that included Justin Shackil, Emmanuel Berbari, Rickie Ricardo, Brendan Burke and Craig Carton.

“It’ll be great,” Waldman said before making her way to the booth. “It’s very familiar. We’ve been doing this together for 20 years. I’m glad he’s back, and I can’t wait to see him.”

Sterling said, “That was a big thing. I really missed doing the games with Suzyn. We’re going to be friends forever. And we’ll talk and have dinner and all that jazz. But I miss actually doing the games, creating something with Suzyn.”

These will be Sterling’s final games. Audacy, WFAN’s parent company, will name a permanent replacement after the season. Candidates include some of this year’s fill-ins as well as longtime Mariners announcer Dave Sims.

Sterling said he has watched and listened to games avidly this season, so he knows the team well. Watching and listening rather than traveling has him more rested than he normally would be this time of year.

“I’ve gotten to an unbelievable age,” he said. “All this roaming around was very tough. It was very nice not having that.”

Sterling said he took a couple of days to consider the idea when Audacy’s New York market president, Chris Oliviero, spoke to him about returning.

Then he decided to go for it. “This is the last hurrah,” he said, “so let’s roll it out.”

Oliviero asked Sterling whether he would be able and willing to travel during the playoffs. Sterling saying yes clinched the deal.

“I told him, ‘Well, one good thing about the playoffs is the most you can be away is either two games or three games, so I’ll try to hang in there,’” Sterling said.

He said he also has learned from experience how nice it is to start playoff series at home, not only for announcers but for the team itself.

That was why he said clinching the division only was the start of a series of big games this week. Playoff seeding also matters.

“The Yankees need not just to win a game to knock Baltimore out,” he said. “They have got to keep their lead over Cleveland.”

Sterling said he has gotten positive feedback from fans about his return.

“The reaction’s been fabulous,” he said. “I don’t go on the internet. I don’t have that ability. But all my kids do, and they told me, ‘Oh, Dad, everyone’s (excited).’ Then everyone I meet, same thing.

“That’s all very nice. Now let’s see how I do.”

Notes & quotes: Relief pitcher Jake Cousins, who went on the injured list Sunday with a right pectoral strain, said before Tuesday’s game that he hopes to start throwing in a few days and is aiming to return for the start of the playoffs. “That’s the goal,” he said. “Setting the date for Oct. 5.” Said manager Aaron Boone, “We’re optimistic. I think all the testing proved pretty good.” . . . The Knicks’ Josh Hart threw out the first pitch, wearing a Yankees jersey with the No. 32 of his late great uncle, Elston Howard.

By Neil Best

neil.best@newsday.com@sportswatch

Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.