Hey now, hey now, Seattle Mariners broadcaster Dave Sims is headed to New York.
WFAN and the Yankees are set to hire Dave Sims, 71, and his “hey now, hey now” signature phrase to be their new radio play-by-player succeeding the retired John Sterling, according to sources briefed on the agreement. Sterling, 86, stepped away from the broadcast booth earlier this year but returned to be the team’s lead play-by-player for its postseason run.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my 18 years in Seattle,” Sims said during a video posted on his x.com page. “I loved becoming part of Mariner Nation in the Pacific Northwest.”
Sims, who has a home in Manhattan, will team up with 78-year-old Suzyn Waldman on the broadcasts. His contract is for two years, according to the sources. There is a verbal agreement, and a signed deal is expected.
Sims, who has been the Seattle Mariners’ play-by-player since 2007, first emerged as a public candidate when a caller to WFAN’s “Boomer and Gio” program said that Waldman floated Sims’ name out there as a candidate.
The Mariners have not announced a replacement, though it is possible that current broadcaster Aaron Goldsmith may receive a more prominent role. Angie Mentink also performed some play-by-play duties during the 2024 season.
Sims had formerly been a mid-day talk show host on WFAN with Ed Coleman from 1989 to 1993.
The New York Post first said that a deal was close and had previously reported that the final two candidates were Sims and Yankees’ Spanish language announcer, Rickie Ricardo.
After Sterling retired in April of last season, Justin Shackil handled the bulk of the games with Emmanuel Berbari alongside Waldman. Ricardo emerged during the year, having put himself in contention for the job.
Ultimately, Sims, who wanted to return to New York for a long time, was given the job.
The Daily Herald’s Aaron Coe contributed to this report.
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