RIP Bob Sheppard

I guess heaven needed someone to page Joel Rifkin to the stadium office.

 

Not THAT Joel Rifkin!

 

This is pretty freeking cool...

Notice who hits eighth for the Gaints. I guess that did not last for long. Kid named Mickey was hurt earlier in the Series.

 

Thought I would upload a clip from Game 5 of the 1976 ALCS ... unfortunately, it cut out in the middle of announcing the Yankees' starting lineup, but you get the idea ...

 

I did a column on him in the university's student newspaper when he received an honor from the St. John's athletic department.A week later I had a hand-written note mailed to me on Yankee stationary with "From the desk of Bob Sheppard" at the top.

I met him a few years later in the Yankee dugout, coutesy of Jim Hall, who had been my speech teacher, and when he heard my name he knew exactly who I was and remembered the piece I wrote. And at that time I believe he was 92 or 93.

Amazing effect on a lot of people.

 

The story to end the Times piece is fantastic.

 

Once worked with a guy who was at a picnic when he was a kid and Bob Sheppard happened to be there.

My former co-worker and the rest of the kids were in a makeup game of whiffle ball and Sheppard was the impromptu announcer.

How cool would that be?

 

Liked him even more as PA man for NY Giants.

 

Would add Gus Johnson to list but agree otherwise.

Yankee Stadium never felt the same again one Shepard left.

One of my most treasured pieces of memorabilia I have is a recording of Shepard announcing my name at the stadium.
RIP to one of the greats.

 

What a booth! Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Reggie... (pre Yanks?)

 

Yes, Reggie came to the Yankees the following year. He played for Baltimore in 1976.