Bob Sheppard retires at age 99

Sorry, but resurrecting an 18-month old thread that says he'll return to Yankee Stadium is not nearly sufficient for the greatest voice in the history of sports PA announcers.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091125&content_id=7717078&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

 

Worth posting twice:

Man, he comes off as so dignified and distinguished and raises the hair on the reader's arms even in his QUOTES. I could READ this man speak all day long.

The saddest thing I've ever heard at Yankee Stadium was Sheppard asking for a moment of silence the morning after Josh Hancock's death. I thought that it had to be the dream of just about every ballplayer to have his name announced by Bob Sheppard at Yankee Stadium, even if they didn't realize the magnitude of the honor until it actually occurred.

And yet the first time Hancock had his name announced by Sheppard--Hancock never pitched at Yankee Stadium--it was to announce his death. So unspeakably sad.

 

I've basically figured he was already retired, since he hasn't worked in two years.

I hope he's at least able to come to the Stadium for one game to be honored, and if possible, to announce one more inning.

 

I would think God sounds similar to Bob Sheppard.

 

Very nice.

 

Say what you want about Jeter, but the fact that he had Sheppard record his introduction and still uses it for his at-bats I think shows what tremendous respect he has for the history of baseball. Jeter is adored by fans, makes millions of dollars, has won five World Series and is at the top of his profession, but he's honored and humbled to simply have his name announced by the same man who announced names like Joe Dimaggio (in his final season), Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson.

 

A nice man with no ego but his voice is scary. I will miss him.

 

You wonder if Sheppard will still be heard next year at the stadium during Jeter's at-bats. Hell, that would be a class act on Derek's part.

 

No one outside the Bronx really gives a shit.

 

Yes he will. Jeter had Sheppard record the intro so he could use as long as he plays.

 

Heard that Jeter is pretty shy when it comes to girls and would have Bob Sheppard make the first call for him to arrange dates. That is how he first got hooked up with Minka Kelly.

"I'm calling on behalf of Derek Jeter......."