Legendary New York Yankees radio announcer John Sterling has officially retired after 36 seasons of calling games for the franchise.

Anybody who cheers for the Yankees will have fond memories of the iconic announcer, who provided the soundtrack for New York fans with some of their fondest memories in franchise history.

As we look back on Sterling as an announcer, it’s worth remembering some of the reasons that Sterling became one of the most beloved announcers of a generation.

From the energy he brought to calling home runs to the various puns he could come up with, Sterling was an icon for a reason. Here are five reasons why Yankees fans loved him and his work.