NEW YORK – The celebration of John Sterling’s legendary career spanning more than three decades as the “Voice of the Yankees” began early Friday night, as the Bleacher Creatures included the now-retired broadcaster as part of the traditional Yankee Stadium “Roll Call.”

“Joh-n Ster-ling!” the Creatures chanted, wrapping their tour around the diamond as the Rays’ Randy Arozarena batted against the Yankees’ Clarke Schmidt.

Known for his booming baritone, sing-song inflections and signature home run calls, the 85-year-old Sterling engaged and entertained fans with a distinct conversational style, calling 5,420 regular-season Yankees games and 211 more in the postseason from 1989 until his retirement this week.

Sterling will be recognized in a pregame ceremony Saturday at Yankee Stadium. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 12:30 p.m. ET for the festivities. Sterling will also visit the WFAN radio booth during Saturday’s game.

“I am a very blessed human being,” Sterling said in a statement. “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.”

“I’m sure it will be an awesome event, hearing some of the tributes roll in over the last few days,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I’m a romantic when it comes to baseball on the radio. John has been the voice of a generation for Yankees fans. That’s a pretty big audience.

“His amazing voice, his amazing calls and the theatrics of what he brings to the table, I’m going to miss that. Hopefully, tomorrow is a day that we can celebrate a guy that’s been a giant in the industry for a long, long time.”