Although the Yankees have worked hard to incorporate certain elements from the previous incarnations of Yankee Stadium into the newest version, one thing will most certainly be different. Bob Sheppard, who has worked the public address system for the Yankees since 1951, announced his retirement today. He is 98 years old, and while he has been in poor health in recent years, this decision was apparently not directly related to a particular ailment or condition.
Bob did not do any of the games in 2008, but did record his rendition of the starting lineups for the final game at Yankee Stadium. Furthermore, a recording of his introduction of Derek Jeter was used for all of last season, and is likely to continue to be utilized until Derek retires. The Yankees have not announced a replacement at this point, although they have confirmed that it will not be Sheppard mimic Jim Hall. Whoever it is has big shoes to fill, as Sheppard’s stately voice always added to the grandiose nature of attending a game at the Cathedral of Baseball. Good luck to Bob, and hopefully we get to see him enter the booth in the new Stadium for old times sake.
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2 Responses to Now Retiring, The PA Announcer, Bob Sheppard
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TIQ IQ
My first Yankee game was in 1962, & the first time I heard the “voice of god”. Now 47 years later its still that voice.
I don’t care if they have to wrap Mr. Sheppard up in a blanket & carry him to to the booth, he should be there on opening day to announce the Yankee lineup and the first Yankee batter- Derek Jeter- for the final time… then carry him back to his home. Its not poetic justice its DIVINE justice.
My first game was a few years ago (1948). No Bob at that time but, a few years later…there he was, the voice of god. As many others have done over the years, I took it for granted, he was one of the monuments…there for all time!
Time is the master of us all, so it is for “The Voice of God”, as like us…he is not God.
Bob, you will be greatly missed, by many of us.