Yankees' radio broadcaster Dave Sims sends message to fans after first full year on the job

In an ongoing reflection about the New York Yankees' 2025 season, a discussion is warranted about the debut campaign for Dave Sims as WFAN’s play-by-play announcer. Sims entered the season with big shoes to fill, having signed a two-year deal (through the 2026 season) in November of 2024 to replace the legendary John Sterling in the radio booth.

Sims brought with him a wealth of experience, however. Before hopping on board with WFAN, the veteran micsman spent eighteen years calling Seattle Mariners games as a television broadcaster, a role for which he was beloved in the Pacific Northwest. There’s a reason Sims was highly sought after as a viable Sterling successor.

Sims took to social media recently to send a message to Yankees fans, now that his first year in the booth has come and gone.

Yankees radio voice Dave Sims sends message to fans after first season with WFAN

“Well, I hate the way the season ended, but I enjoyed the heck out of my first season as Yankees radio announcer,” Sims said.

“Very, very tough ending. Toronto does a lot of good things, man. They're going to be formidable in the ALCS. It's going to be very interesting. They put the ball in play, (they) catch the ball, they pitch … (the bullpen) is shaky … (but) they do a lot of good things.”

Sims also previewed some of his non-Yankees projects that will be rolling out in the coming weeks.

“I’ll be doing some basketball …  got a podcast coming back, and I'll be on social media, (staying) active here with my team,” Sims said. “All the best, everybody. Take care.”

Dave Sims will probably take a leap in his second year as the Yankees’ radio guy

Sims’ first season replacing the imitable Sterling came with plenty of criticism, naturally. Keep in mind that Sims was also transitioning from TV to radio, which warrants an adjustment period, even for someone with decades of broadcasting reps under their belt.

Despite Sims’ growing chemistry with color commentator Suzyn Waldman and some undeniably awesome moments in the booth, Sims recently received some tough feedback about his first-year performance, with some fans questioning whether his style is suited for radio.

A common critique of Sims was that he isn’t descriptive enough about the on-field action, having grown accustomed to the visual medium taking care of that element.

At the end of the day, Sims deserves some grace. He’s clearly a talented broadcaster, with legions of admirers in Seattle to show for it. There’s a strong bet that Sims will improve markedly in year two (2026), now that he’s dipped his feet back into the radio waters for a full season.

Yankees fans who haven’t yet embraced Sims have every reason to do so. Sims is a Yankees fan at heart, as he began his career in New York in 1980 as a sportswriter for the New York Daily News. Sims actually worked for WFAN in 1989. As such, becoming the new voice of the Yanks is a full-circle moment for Sims.