John Sterling, the eccentric radio play-by-play voice of the New York Yankees since 1989, has stepped down effective immediately, according to the team in an announcement on Monday afternoon.

The 85-year-old Sterling, who has cut back dramatically on coverages in recent years, cited health reasons for retiring, according to a report in The Athletic. The Yankees, who apparently offered to cut his work days more before he decided to call it quits, will honor the long-time broadcaster before their home game against Tampa Bay on Saturday (1 p.m.).

“I am a very blessed human being,” said Sterling via a release. “I have been able to do what I wanted, broadcasting for 64 years. As a little boy growing up in New York as a Yankees fan, I was able to broadcast the Yankees for 36 years. It’s all to my benefit, and I leave very, very happy. I look forward to seeing everyone again on Saturday.”

Suzyn Waldman, who has done color commentary alongside Sterling for the last 18 years, will remain in the same position in the Yankees’ radio booth. Sterling, however, won’t be replaced by one person as the play-by-play man as both 37-year-old Justin Shackil and 24-year-old Emmanuel Berbari will split the duties.

WFAN praised Sterling for his contributions to the Yankees and network through the years.

“Yankees radio will never quite sound the same without the signature voice, wit and humor of John Sterling,” the radio Giant said in a prepared statement. “To generations of Bronx Bombers fans, he was a beloved companion that when you heard John, you knew it was time for baseball. Though he never wore the pinstripes, except of course for his fine tailored suits, he was one of the most colorful personalities in Yankees history and in all of New York City radio. All of us at WFAN tip our cap and salute our colleague and friend on a truly iconic career.”

Sterling, of course, was known for his quirky calls, including homers (”It is high, it is far, it is gone”) and at the conclusion of Yankees victories (”Yankees win, theeeeee Yankees win”), but has also made a number of mistakes in recent years (”There’s a strike, but the umpire called it a ball”).

Although some fans took exception to his style, a large portion of Yankees fans adored Sterling.

Sterling began his radio career in 1970 with the Baltimore Bullets and has also called games for the Nets (basketball), Islanders (hockey), Atlanta Braves (baseball) and Atlanta Hawks (basketball).