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AJR 171

Celebrates career of New Jersey resident John Sterling.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sterley Stanley

Ceremonial measure honoring Yankees broadcaster John Sterling and urging the Governor to issue a proclamation recognizing his impact on New Jersey residents and baseball.

Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
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Bill Summary · AJR 171

Summary: Assembly Joint Resolution No. 171 (AJR 171)

Purpose and Intent

AJR 171 is a joint resolution that honors and celebrates the long career of John Sterling, a New Jersey resident and renowned sports broadcaster best known for his play-by-play work with the New York Yankees. The measure recognizes Sterling’s contributions to baseball broadcasting, his distinctive announcing style, and his impact on New Jersey residents and Major League Baseball as a whole. It asks the Governor to issue a proclamation commemorating his career and to encourage public recognition of his impact.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: Honors John Sterling’s long career in sports broadcasting and affirms that he has provided comfort and humor to New Jersey residents over many decades.
  • Section 2: Encourages the Governor to issue a proclamation recognizing Sterling’s impact on Major League Baseball and the field of sports broadcasting, and to call upon public officials and citizens to acknowledge this impact.
  • Section 3: States that the joint resolution takes effect immediately.
  • Amendments: The bill has undergone committee amendments to correct technical aspects of the text.

Background and Context

  • John Sterling’s Career Highlights (as reflected in the version text):
    • Began radio broadcasting for the New York Yankees on WABC in September 1989 and continued until his retirement in spring 2024.
    • Reported to have called roughly 5,420 regular-season Yankees games, 211 playoff games, and 5,060 consecutive games from 1989 through 2019.
    • Known for a distinctive announcing style and nicknames/phrases such as “The Sterling Shake” and other home run calls.
    • Sterling announced every game during several landmark Yankees eras, including the 1990s, the team’s original stadium era closure, and landmark moments like Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit and Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run.
    • Although born and raised in New York, he is a resident of Bergen County, New Jersey.
  • The bill emphasizes Sterling’s ties to New Jersey and his standing as a beloved figure in sports broadcasting.

Procedural History and Timeline

  • Introduced: May 2, 2024 (Assembly)
  • Initial Referral: Assembly State and Local Government Committee
  • May 15, 2025: Transferred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee; reported out of committee with amendments (2nd Reading)
  • May 22, 2025: Assembly passed the bill (74-1-1)
  • May 29, 2025: Received in the Senate; Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
  • Status: In the Senate (as of the latest information), referred to the Senate Environment and Energy Committee
  • Related Legislation: SJR 113 (companion bill in the Senate)

Impact and Beneficiaries

  • Primary beneficiary: John Sterling, in official recognition by the New Jersey Legislature.
  • Broader impact: Public acknowledgement of Sterling’s influence on baseball broadcasting and on New Jersey residents who followed his Yankee broadcasts; potential ceremonial recognition via a gubernatorial proclamation.

Notes

  • The measure is ceremonial in nature and does not authorize spending or create new programs; it centers on recognition and a gubernatorial proclamation.
  • The official version reflects amendments for technical corrections and clarifies the text prior to final passage.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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