John Sterling had his bloopers, his botched calls, and his critics. But here are 10 things he never did

Today, the Yankiverse will converge upon the long-outdated, horse-and-buggy media known as radio for one last fling with a disappearing world. 

With joy and sadness, we will rejoice and grieve over John Sterling Day. While we mourn the looming loss of "the legendary voice of the New York Yankees," let's be grateful for a chance to say farewell. At age 86, the shadows are steadily creeping toward home plate. John would be first to agree: It's not always easy to find the right words.

Over the last 36 years, Sterling has said a lot of nutty things, some of which earned him detractors, particularly those who were predisposed to hate the Yankees. But in this cancel culture age, let us give credit for some of the things he never did. Here are 10. 

1. He never spoke of the Yankees using the first-person plural, as in: "We're behind, two to one."

2. He never expounded on his political views.

3. He never called in sick after a Yankees collapse.

4. He never referred to the Yankees as "the good guys."

5. He never condemned a player, always siding with athletes and remembering that they are people, not machinery.

6. He never shouted to a fly ball, "Get out, get out!" or "Go foul, go foul!"

7. He never made a lecherous comment about a young woman in the stands.

8. He never took it for granted that he would continue to have a job.

9. He never said things off-mic that he wouldn't have said during a broadcast.

10. He never gave up on the Yankees - or his critics.

Following the Yankees will never be the same.