If you’ve spent any time driving through the Tri-State area on a humid July evening, you know the sound. It's that crackle of the AM dial, the rhythmic hum of a crowd in the Bronx, and the voice of someone describing a slider that just didn't slide. For generations, listening to the New York Yankees radio broadcast wasn't just about catching the score. It was a ritual.
But things are different now.
We aren't in the John Sterling era anymore. That legendary "Win... Harris... Win!" or the "it is high, it is far, it is gone" calls are memories stored in YouTube archives and old family stories. As we move through the 2026 season, the booth has a new rhythm, the tech has changed, and finding the game isn't always as simple as turning a knob to 660.
The New Voice in the Bronx: Life After John Sterling
Honestly, it felt weird at first. For 36 seasons, John Sterling was the soundtrack to Yankees baseball. When he retired—really retired this time, after that final 2024 postseason cameo—the vacuum was massive.
Enter Dave Sims.
If you're a die-hard who also watches West Coast games, you know Sims from his nearly two decades with the Seattle Mariners. He’s a New York guy originally, though, and his return to the WFAN booth alongside the incomparable Suzyn Waldman has been one of the biggest stories in local sports media. Sims brings a massive amount of energy. He’s vibrant. He’s "loquacious," as some critics like to say.
👉 See also: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
But let's be real: replacing a legend is a thankless job. Last season, some listeners complained that Sims’ style—honed on television—didn't always translate perfectly to the "theater of the mind" that is radio. Critics from places like Awful Announcing noted he sometimes forgot to give the score often enough. However, the chemistry with Suzyn is actually clicking way faster than people expected. She’s the steady hand, the institutional memory of the Yankees, and Sims is the high-octane engine.
Who Else is on the Mic?
It’s not just Dave and Suzyn. The Yankees radio network has a deep bench:
- Emmanuel Berbari: The 25-year-old wunderkind. He’s the primary postgame host on WFAN and the first guy off the bench if Sims needs a night off. People love him because he’s a "radio native"—he knows exactly how to paint the picture without the help of a TV screen.
- Rickie Ricardo: Still the king of the Spanish broadcast on WADO 1280 AM. If you haven't heard his "¡No, señor!" call on a home run, you haven't lived. He also fills in on the English side occasionally and is a fan favorite for his sheer passion.
- Justin Shackil: Often seen on YES, but he remains a key part of the broader radio family, handling various hosting duties and fill-ins.
How to Listen to New York Yankees Radio in 2026
Where you find the game depends entirely on where your feet are planted.
1. The Local Mainstays (New York Metro)
The flagship remains WFAN. You can find the games on 101.9 FM or the old-school 660 AM. The signal is a beast—on a clear night, you can sometimes pick up the 660 signal as far away as eastern Canada or down in the Carolinas.
2. Streaming and Apps
This is where people usually get tripped up. You can’t just go to the WFAN website and click "play" to hear the game for free. Due to MLB's draconian (but lucrative) digital rights, those free streams are usually geo-blocked or replaced with talk shows during game time.
✨ Don't miss: Cowboys Score: Why Dallas Just Can't Finish the Job When it Matters
- The Audacy App: If you are within the New York market, you can often stream the broadcast here, but check your local listings as blackouts still haunt the digital landscape.
- MLB At Bat: This is basically the gold standard. For about $29.99 for the year (or roughly $3.99 a month), you get every single Yankees radio broadcast with no blackouts. It’s the most reliable way to hear Dave and Suzyn if you're sitting in a hotel in Chicago or a beach in Florida.
- SiriusXM: The Yankees are always on here. Usually, they’ll carry both the home and away radio feeds, which is great if you want to hear how the "other side" is calling an Aaron Judge moonshot.
3. The Affiliate Network
The New York Yankees Radio Network is massive. It stretches from KKEA in Honolulu (yes, Hawaii!) to WENE in Binghamton. If you're driving through upstate New York or Connecticut, you’re looking for stations like WTMM 104.5 in Albany or WELI 960 in New Haven.
Why Radio Still Matters (Even with 4K TV)
You might wonder why anyone bothers with the radio when every game is on YES or Amazon Prime or Apple TV+ or whatever streamer bought the rights this week.
It's the pacing.
Baseball is a slow-burn sport. It’s designed for conversation. On the radio, the announcers have to fill the gaps between pitches with stories, stats, and observations about the humidity or the way the grass is cut. When you listen to a New York Yankees radio broadcast, you aren't just watching a game; you’re hanging out with Dave and Suzyn.
There's also the "Mutes" crowd. A growing segment of fans literally mutes their television and syncs up the WFAN radio feed. Why? Because local radio announcers are allowed to be "homers" in a way national TV crews aren't. They care if the Yankees win. You can hear it in their breath when a ball is hanging in the air with two outs in the ninth.
🔗 Read more: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
Common Misconceptions About the Broadcast
- "Is the game on ESPN Radio?" Usually, no. While ESPN 1050 AM is a big sports station in NYC, the Yankees have been a WFAN/Audacy staple for years. Don't waste your time scanning the dial for them on 1050.
- "Can I listen for free on my iPhone?" Only if you have a literal FM tuner (which most iPhones don't). Otherwise, you're looking at a paid subscription through MLB or SiriusXM.
- "Is Suzyn Waldman retiring?" Every year people ask this. Every year she comes back. She’s a pioneer—the first woman to be a full-time color commentator on a major league radio staff. Her knowledge of the farm system and her relationships with the players are irreplaceable.
The 2026 Schedule: Key Dates for the Radio Dial
If you’re planning your summer around the pinstripes, keep these high-stakes series on your radar. These are the games where the radio broadcast truly shines—the tension in the booth is palpable.
- Opening Day (March 25, 2026): The Yankees start on the road against the Giants. Hearing the first "batter up" of the season is a spiritual experience for some.
- The Subway Series: Games against the Mets always feel different on the radio. The city is divided, and the WFAN hosts (who often talk about both teams all day) are at their peak.
- The Red Sox Rivalry: Late April (April 21-23) sees the first trip to Fenway. There is nothing like hearing the Fenway crowd being silenced through a radio speaker.
Actionable Insights for the Best Listening Experience
If you want to get the most out of the broadcast this year, do these three things:
- Invest in a dedicated radio: If you live in the Tri-State area, buy a high-quality AM/FM radio (like a Sangean or a C. Crane). Digital streams have a 15–30 second delay. If your neighbor is watching on cable, they’ll cheer for a home run while your radio is still describing the walk-up music. A real radio signal is instantaneous.
- Get the MLB App for the Road: If you travel for work, the $30 annual fee is the best value in sports. It’s cheaper than two beers at the stadium and covers every game of the season, including the playoffs.
- Check the Spanish Feed: Even if your Spanish is shaky, listen to Rickie Ricardo for an inning. The energy is infectious and will give you a whole new appreciation for the pace of the game.
The voice of the Yankees has changed, but the soul of the broadcast hasn't. Whether it's Dave Sims finding his footing or Suzyn breaking down a pitching change, the New York Yankees radio tradition remains the heartbeat of the Bronx. Turn it up.
Next Steps:
- Check your local affiliate list to see if your favorite station still carries the games.
- Download the MLB app if you're planning a road trip during the Red Sox series.
- Tune in 20 minutes before first pitch to catch the "Yankees Clubhouse" pre-game show for the latest lineup changes and injury news.