What I learned from my airport conversation with John Sterling — as we were suddenly surrounded by adoring Yankees fans
The article recounts a chance meeting between sports columnist Mike Vaccaro and legendary New York Yankees broadcaster John Sterling at Newark Airport. Their conversation turned to their early careers in Wellsville, New York, reflecting on how youthful ambition shaped their paths in sports media. The encounter was briefly interrupted by Yankees fans who recognized Sterling, underscoring his lasting connection with the team's fanbase.
- ▪John Sterling and Mike Vaccaro met at Newark Airport's C terminal while traveling to Tampa for spring training.
- ▪Both men began their careers in Wellsville, New York, with Sterling working at WLSV-AM radio and Vaccaro at the Times-Herald in Olean.
- ▪Sterling shared how he approached high school sports broadcasts with the intensity of covering a major national game.
- ▪Yankees fans unexpectedly surrounded Sterling during the conversation, showing his enduring popularity.
- ▪Sterling once described Wellsville as a 'one-stoplight town,' though he wasn't sure the light had ever existed.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
New York Yankees Mike Vaccaro What I learned from my airport conversation with John Sterling — as we were suddenly surrounded by adoring Yankees fans By Mike Vaccaro Published May 4, 2026, 11:06 a.m. ET New York Yankees announcers John Sterling on the field during Derek Jeter night at Yankee Stadium in 2022. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post This was at Newark Airport, C terminal, maybe 10 years ago. John Sterling and I were on the same flight bound for Tampa, the start of another spring training for both of us, and as we whittled away the time toward boarding the plane we found ourselves, quite remarkably, transported to a place called Wellsville, N.Y.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
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