Yankees radio voice Dave Sims talks new gig, replacing John Sterling

Since news broke that Dave Sims will be taking over for John Sterling as the radio voice of the Yankees next season, the broadcaster's phone has been blowing up nonstop.

He's heard from friends, family, fans on social media and what Sims referred to as a "roll call of legends in the business," other broadcasters reaching out from across different sports to wish him well.

Soon enough, the ex-Mariners TV broadcaster will be working play-by-play at Yankees games while fans are doing their own roll call at Yankee Stadium.

"I'm born in Philly, but I've been in New York all my life," Sims told NJ Advance Media over the weekend. "Everybody is like, 'Dude, it's great to have you home.' I'm really excited. Suzyn is thrilled. I'm thrilled. It's all good!"

With the new gig, Sims will join Suzyn Waldman in the WFAN booth, a homecoming for an experienced broadcaster with a history in New York.

Here's more from NJ Advance Media's conversation with the new voice of the Yankees:

What does this opportunity mean for you, considering you do have a history in New York?

DS: It's unbelievable. Having grown up a baseball fan, I remember watching my first World Series in '57. The Milwaukee Braves and the Yankees. Growing up in Philly, watching some more, more often than not, bad Philly teams, but I love baseball . You're talking about one of the top one, two or three sports brands and maybe a top-10 brand of any kind in the world. Friends of mine have been saying it's the New York freaking Yankees, come on! This is a big deal. Really, I'm just overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to be able to be in this position.

RESTORING THE GLORY

What is it like taking over for John Sterling, being the next full-time voice of the Yankees?

DS: John's a legend. John's been around for years. I know John dating back to when he was doing the Nets on Radio, and I was covered the Mets for the Daily News. We're talking about the late 70s. John's career speaks for itself. Following a guy who put in that much time and 5,000 plus games and continuing in a line with Bill White, Frank Messer, Mel Allen, Red Barber, are you kidding me? Wow! That's amazing.

How much did you admire John and his style while in Seattle? Did you find yourself listening to his calls from the West Coast?

DS: When I was on the West Coast, I would listen to a lot of things here. I'd listen to [1010] Wins to find out what's going on. Because John and Suzyn are friends, I'd always listen to them. Michael Kay. It's always checking in and listening. And as far as style, I've got my own style. I've already been in a position where I came in and worked with the late great Dave Niehaus. Hall of Famer. Basically, I was sort of the heir apparent there, and then, unfortunately he died way too soon. Took over on the TV side. I'm familiar with this position. This is not new. I always think back to when Vince Lombardi died and I remember a lot of friends said, you want to be the guy who replaces the guy. Now I've been the guy who replaces the guy twice. It's pretty interesting. John's style is totally different from mine. It worked for him. I do me. He does him.

For Yankees fans that might be listening to you for the first time this coming season, how would you describe yourself as a broadcaster?

DS: I like to have good baseball conversations. I love to bring that energy. Want to call me a homer? Go ahead. I don't care. When I was in Seattle,I always wanted the Mariners to win. I didn't denigrate anybody else. I didn't diminish other teams, which I saw a lot of [Shohei] Ohtani, [Mike] Trout and all those guys. I'm going to tell it like it is. If they're playing great, it's going to be noted. If they're not playing well, it's going to be noted. Talk to the guys in Seattle, I've established good relationships with those guys over the years. There's a reason why I was able to last 18 years there. So must be doing something right.

What would your message be to Yankees fans? You know how they can be. They live and breathe Yankees and get on everybody, even the broadcasters, when they don't like something.

DS: I grew up in Philly. I've been here for a long time. I know how it is in this Northeast corridor. They love you hard and hate you hard. I'm ready, man. It's going to be fun. I think it'll be a great relationship. The response on social media from people in Seattle has been spectacular. I think if the Yankees fan base were to interview the Mariner fan base, I think they'd hear good things.

How excited are you to get a chance to work with Suzyn?

DS: Oh yeah, we've known each other for a long time and we've been talking about a possibility of this for a long time as well. Here it is. It's right in front of us. So it's gonna happen. And couldn't be happier.

What are your impressions of the Yankees coming out of their World Series run? How closely did you get to watch them in the playoffs and what do you make of the Juan Soto sweepstakes?

DS: Obviously the fifth inning [of Game 5] was the worst fifth inning I've ever seen . I felt for the guys, I really did. I've been in that clubhouse. Some of those guys know me, [Aaron] Judge, Gerrit Cole, a few other guys, they know who I am and they know me. We chat a lot. I'm hoping Soto signs and if he doesn't, Santander is out there. Christian Walker, good player, good dude. They would be nice pieces. But I think [Brian Cashman] will do a good job putting something together. I would imagine, been around pro athletes pretty much all my life, these cats got to look at the returning dudes and even the new dudes, they're all gonna be super motivated to get back to the World Series and win the whole thing. There's good pieces on this club and it's a team worth watching. I was up there for Game 2 of the Cleveland series. You can't beat the energy. Yankee game at the Stadium in playoffs? It's electric during the regular season. But forget about it in the playoffs. It's the best!

Have you thought at all about what it'll be like stepping into the booth on Opening Day next spring, being on the call in the Bronx for the first time?

DS: I'll have butterflies, but it'll be good butterflies. I would say it's performance excitement, not anxiety. As I tell young kids that always ask me about advice and whatnot, just breathe and have fun.

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