In an unprecedented turn of events, a New York Yankees icon will miss an MLB game for the first time in over 16 years, bringing an astonishing streak of 1,339 consecutive games to a close. Paul Olden, the beloved public address announcer whose voice has echoed through Yankee Stadium since its opening in 2009, will be absent from the team’s home game against the Chicago Cubs on Friday, July 11, 2025, due to personal reasons.
The Yankees confirmed that Olden, a fixture at every regular-season and postseason home game for more than a decade and a half, will step away from the microphone for the team’s upcoming series from July 11 to July 13 to attend a personal obligation. This marks the end of an extraordinary run that has defined Olden’s tenure as the voice of Yankee Stadium, a streak that embodies dedication and resilience.
Stepping into Olden’s shoes for this historic moment is Mark Fratto, a seasoned announcer known for his work with NYC FC since its inception, as well as the Washington Commanders, Washington Wizards, and major boxing and college basketball events at Madison Square Garden. Fratto expressed his awe and gratitude on X, writing, “Well friends, still in disbelief but we’re going to The Show with the #Yankees this weekend. An absolute honor to be on the big mic in The Bronx as the great Paul Olden — who hasn’t missed a game since his 2009 appointment — attends a family function.
Olden’s final game before this break was nothing short of spectacular, as the Yankees staged a jaw-dropping comeback to defeat the Seattle Mariners 6-5 in extra innings. Trailing by five runs and held hitless through seven innings, the Yankees rallied with five runs in the final two frames, capped by Aaron Judge’s walk-off sacrifice fly with the bases loaded. The MLB noted that this victory marked the first time since the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1977 that a team overcame a five-run deficit with no hits through the eighth inning to win a game.
The Yankees, now riding a four-game winning streak after enduring their second six-game skid since June, hold a 52-41 record. They sit just two games behind the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays with only three games remaining before the All-Star break. Olden’s absence, though temporary, marks a poignant moment in Yankees history, as fans and players alike pause to reflect on his remarkable 1,339-game legacy.
As the Bronx prepares to welcome Fratto’s voice for this rare occasion, the Yankees community salutes Paul Olden — a true MLB ironman whose streak will be remembered as one of the most enduring in baseball history.