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.

All-Star Flock to be Sheppard-less

Unfortunately, Bob Sheppard will not be in the PA booth for the All-Star game next Tuesday. In fact, as Steve Polliti reports, Mr. Sheppard is still not sure when he'll return.

"I am not going to be physically able to perform my duties during the All-Star activities," Sheppard told The Star-Ledger from his home in Baldwin, N.Y. "I notified the Yankees that my back-up, Jim Hall - H-A-L-L - will be filling in for me.

"After 57 years of doing every game at Yankee Stadium, it is deeply disappointing," he said. "But I have no control over my well being. I have faith that God will get me back to the ballpark whenever he's ready for me to get back."

"I'm not satisfied that I can give a professional performance. And if I can't do a professional performance up to my stands, as I have done for the last 20 or 30 years, I will turn it over to my back-up, Jim Hall - H-A-L-L."

Get well soon Mr. Sheppard! We miss ya!

All-Star Flock to be Sheppard-less

Unfortunately, Bob Sheppard will not be in the PA booth for the All-Star game next Tuesday. In fact, as Steve Polliti reports, Mr. Sheppard is still not sure when he'll return.

"I am not going to be physically able to perform my duties during the All-Star activities," Sheppard told The Star-Ledger from his home in Baldwin, N.Y. "I notified the Yankees that my back-up, Jim Hall - H-A-L-L - will be filling in for me.

"After 57 years of doing every game at Yankee Stadium, it is deeply disappointing," he said. "But I have no control over my well being. I have faith that God will get me back to the ballpark whenever he's ready for me to get back."

"I'm not satisfied that I can give a professional performance. And if I can't do a professional performance up to my stands, as I have done for the last 20 or 30 years, I will turn it over to my back-up, Jim Hall - H-A-L-L."

Get well soon Mr. Sheppard! We miss ya!