Under The Glare Of The Spotlight Jeter Still Has Ice Water In His Veins

Last night's game 2014 Yankee Stadium finale between the Baltimore Orioles and the Yankees will be like Woodstock. Everyone will claim they were there due to the incredible start, middle, and especially the ending of Derek Jeter's career in pinstripes.

With the fans on pins and needles waiting to see if Jeter would exit the 9th inning early to a standing ovation, closer David Robertson gave up a pair of home runs to blow a 3-run lead. Tied 5-5 in the bottom of the 9th, Robertson was quickly forgiven by the fans. The tie meant that Jeter would get at least one more at-bat in his home away from home, and what an at-bat it was.

John Sterling's call of Jeter's game winner: 

Jose Pirela, who has played 2,741 less games than Jeter, started off the bottom of the 9th with a single through the left side of the infield. Brett Gardner bunted to move the winning run into scoring position and set a showdown between Evan Meek, who was making his 23rd big league appearance, and Jeter. Would Buck Showalter walk Jeter to set up the double play? Just as Jeter plays until the final out or winning run, Showalter manages in the same manner.

When Orioles' catcher Caleb Joseph got into his normal squat behind home plate, you knew the 46,000-plus in attendance and anyone watching or listening on the TV or radio were relieved. And Jeter didn't wait long to let Showalter change his mind. In a very "Jeterian" moment, the Yankees' shortstop jumped on Meek's first pitch, and drilled it through the right side, just like he has done thousands of times before. Right fielder Nick Markakis has a cannon for an arm, but his throw was late as speedy pinch-runner Antoan Richardson slid across home plate with the winning run. Jeter raised his arms in exaltation and jumped in the air as he saw Richardson. (Incredibly, it was the Captain's first walk off winner in seven years).

Jeter's teammates quickly flooded the field and lifted him off the ground. And the smiles and tears flowed, Jeter included. He greeted all of his current teammates, manager, and coaches, his former teammates Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, and Gerald Williams, and his former manager Joe Torre. His parents, sister, nephew, and girlfriend all got hugs and kisses. And as the YesNetwork's Meredith Marakovits interviewed him on the field, he even allowed CC Sabathia and Gardner to give him a Gatorade shower.

The way the game ended left everyone mumbling, "did I just see that". Yes you did. Sadly, for the last time.

Bob Sheppard's Voice to Ring Out Again: The Return of Derek Jeter

Jeter will be all smiles today...unless you ask him about his ankle.

Thursday, July 11, 2013, a holiday, festive day...weather permitting. It's the day that Derek Jeter returns to the Yankees lineup in a day time contest with the Kansas City Royals.

The Yankees captain has not manned his position in Yankee Stadium since he broke his left ankle in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against Detroit last October. He had hoped to be ready for Opening Day this year, but had a setback and then a new fracture was found on the ankle.

Jeter spent the past week rehabbing with the Triple-A Scranton Railriders and appeared to be moving free and easy in the field and when running.

Outside of the cup of coffee he got in 1995, Jeter has never played less than 119 regular season games in any season. The prior low total occurred in 2003 when Toronto Blue Jays catcher Ken Huckaby landed hard on his left shoulder and dislocated it.  Hopefully Jeter's ankle injury soon becomes a distant memory like his shoulder injury.

Expect Alberto Gonzalez (most likely) or Luis Cruz to be DFA'ed to make room for Jeter on the roster.

Here's to the Captain, Bob Sheppard, and some normalcy in Yankeeland.


UPDATE - Jeter will be the DH in his first game back. Totally off on the roster off. Travis Ishakawa, who played one game, struck out twice, and got booed, was designated for assignment. I gather another move will be made within a few days to add a pitcher or outfielder/first baseman to the roster once Jeter shows everything is cool.

Another Loss in the Yankees Family

It's been a tough year for anyone that's been associated with the Yankees. Sadly tonight I read that former Yankees pitcher Tommy Underwood died this afternoon after an 18 month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was just 56 years of age.

Underwood was 13-9 for the Yankees in 1980. He was traded early the next season, along with Jim Spencer, to Oakland for Dave Revering, Mike Patterson, and Chuck Doughty.

Underwood spent 11 seasons all told in the majors, finishing with an 87-89 mark. He played for five organizations, retiring after playing for Baltimore in 1984.

Though his pro career was nothing special, Underwood and his brother Pat (also a former big leaguer) were legends in their hometown of Kokomo, Indiana.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.

Bob Sheppard Honored By NY Congresswoman

NY congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy honored Mr. Sheppard on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday and asked that her colleagues do the same.

From Politicalnews.me:

- Nov 17,2010 - WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04) issued the following statement in support H. Res. 1529, commending Bob Sheppard for his respected career as the public-address announcer for the New York Yankees and the New York Giants: “Today I ask my colleagues to support H. Res. 1529, commending Bob Sheppard for his long and respected career as the public-address announcer for the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. On July 11, 2010, Mr. Sheppard passed away at the age 99 in his home in Baldwin, New York, in my district. Mr. Sheppard was a constant in sports announcing for over fifty years. His distinctive voice was recognizable to both players and fans. Each game began with his trademark cadence- "Good afternoon ..ladies and gentlemen...and welcome...to Yankee Stadium". He performed the role as public address announcer at Yankee Stadium from opening day in 1951 through 2007. And as the public-address announcer for the New York Giants from 1956 through 2005. At the age of 62 he announced the World Series games, 2 All-Star Games, and has introduced more than 72 Hall of Famers throughout his career. He will always be remembered for his clear, concise, and correct announcements and pronunciations, taking pride in the name of every player he introduced. Bob Sheppard utilized his great oratory skills not only in the sports arena, but as the chairman of the speech department at John Adams High School in Queens and as a professor of speech at St. John’s University. Bob Sheppard was honored for his fifty memorable years of service as the announcer at Yankee Stadium with Bob Sheppard Day, celebrated on May 7, 2000, and with a permanent plaque in Monument Park in Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. His memorable voice will continue to live on as the recorded introduction of Yankees’ shortstop Derek Jeter. My resolution serves to recognize the legacy of Bob Sheppard and his distinctive announcing style as a revered tradition not only to the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. But also to the games of baseball and football, and the field of sports announcing. I want to thank the fifty two cosponsors of the resolution, including members who are fans of other teams. Additionally, the resolution commends Mr. Sheppard for his fifty-two years of service in the field of sports announcing and his dedication to spreading his knowledge and skill through teaching speech at both the high school and college levels. Today I salute Bob Sheppard. I ask my colleagues to support the resolution."

Yogi Misses OT Day

A bad week in Yankeeland continued today when it was announced Yogi Berra would miss Old Timer's Day after falling near his home.

Here's the official release from the Yankees:

The Yankees' Old-Timers Day festivities on Saturday will certainly carry a reverent tone, following the loss of owner George Steinbrenner. Unfortunately, one former Yankees great, Yogi Berra, will miss the festivities.

Berra suffered a fall near his Montclair, NJ., home on Friday night, according to a statement from his family issued on Saturday afternoon. Multiple media reports suggested that Berra hadn't broken any bones, but remained quite sore following the fall. Berra suffered some bruising and is now recovering at home.

From the statement, Berra's attention still seemed to be on the event at Yankee Stadium that he will be forced to skip.

"He is extremely disappointed he is unable to participate in today's Old-Timers ceremonies and see so many of his friends," the statement said. "He appreciates all the well-wishes and hopes to be up and about very soon."

Commemorative Patches to be Added to Uniforms

Here are the two patches that will be added to the Yankees uniforms in honor of George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard.

RIP Bob Sheppard

Really sad news this morning. Bob Sheppard, "the voice of God" has passed away at age 99.

Mr. Sheppard started his duties as the Yankees public address announcer in 1951 and maintained that job until he fell in 2007. He was also the voice of the NY football Giants from 1956 thru 2005.

"Sheppard frequently cited Mickey Mantle as one of his favorite names to announce. Said Sheppard, "Mickey Mantle says 'Every time Bob Sheppard introduced me at Yankee Stadium, I got shivers up my spine.' And I said to him, 'So did I.'""

Sheppard's voice can still be heard in Yankee Stadium when Derek Jeter comes to bat as a pre-recorded message introduces him.

The voice of God will be so very missed.

Read my full article at Baseballdigest.com

The End of An Era

photo courtesy of NY Daily News

It's been unofficial for a couple of years now. Yesterday it became official. Bob Sheppard, the "Voice of God" officially retired as the Yankees P.A. announcer.

It was just a matter of time. Mr. Sheppard, 99 years old, had never fully recovered from upper respiratory issues that sidelined him over the past two seasons. And though he never used the word retired in his official statement, Mr. Sheppard did say,

"But," he acknowledged yesterday, "I don’t intend at this moment to see myself back as a public address announcer at Yankee Stadium, feeling the way I do now."

Reached at his Baldwin home, Sheppard hedged, but only slightly, saying, "It wasn’t a resignation. It wasn’t quitting. It wasn’t throwing in the glove."

So he isn’t ruling out a future return? Sheppard laughed.

"Let me start from the bottom: I am now 99 years old," he said. "I don ’t think a man 99 years old goes back to work after two years of separation."

All of us Yankees fans have missed the impeccable speech, the succinct pronunciation of each name, and the low-key manner in which Mr. Sheppard delivered his announcements. Listening to an over the top presentation like the one delivered by Detroit Pistons' P.A. man John Mason makes you appreciate Mr. Sheppard even more.

We hope one day to hear the "Voice of God" echo throughout the new Yankee Stadium, but if not, we will always treasure the memories.

Yankee Home Opener to be Voiceless

Bad news Yankees fans. Newsday's Neil Best reports that Bob Sheppard will not be able to make it to opening day. When Sheppard spoke with WFAN's Ed Randall back on February 15, "The Voice of God" was quite hopeful of attending the April 16th opener with the Cleveland Indians.

But Sheppard's doctors say his stamina is still not at a level that will allow him to return to work yet, even for just one day. Hopefully, April showers will bring Bob Sheppard to May baseball games.

The Plaques

The Plaques