RIP Bob Sheppard

[EStreetJoe]

A piece of my childhood and a piece of Yankees history has passed. It is a sad day.


http://www.wcbs880.com/Bob-Sheppard--Voice-of-Yankee-Stadium--Dies/7661907

Bob Sheppard, Voice of Yankee Stadium, Dies


NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- Bob Sheppard, the renowned Voice of Yankee Stadium whom Reggie Jackson once called "The voice of God" for his intonations as public address announcer, has died at home in Baldwin. He was 99.

He died peacefully, surrounded by family members, early this morning, said his youngest son, Chris.

Robert Leo "Bob" Sheppard (born October 20, 1910) was the public address announcer for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball from 1951 to 2007, and was the public address announcer for the New York Giants of the National Football League from 1956 to 2006.

In his time with the Yankees Sheppard announced over 4,500 Major League Baseball games, seeing the team capture 22 American League pennants and 13 World Series championships. Yankee Hall-of-Famer Reggie Jackson dubbed him "the Voice of God".

 

[wicked]

What a classy, dignified voice. RIP.

 

[MileHigh]

How every PA announcer should sound. Dignified, perfect voice. RIP.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Sheppard in person was as gracious as his voice was dignified. A sad day indeed.

 

[spnited]

In addition to the magnificent voice, a dignified gentleman who always had a smile on his face and a good word for everyone he met.
RIP to a true New York legend.

An interesting coincidence: Sheppard's first year as Yankees announcer as 1951, Mickey Mantle's rookie year. Bob and the Mick both were born on Oct. 20.

 

[imjustagirl]

RIP to a legend.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

He taught speech at, correct me if I'm wrong, St. John's. I always imagined how his voice would have made even the biggest slacker pay attention.

RIP to a New York icon.

 

[D-3 Fan]

I walked out of church 20 minutes ago to see the news on my BlackBerry.

The Voice of God.

There's nothing else to say.

 

[spnited]

Sadly, he never made it to the new Yankee Stadium, although he probaby would have been appalled by the excessively loud music and canned chaeering that never stops.

His voice will live on because Derek Jeter long ago requested that a tape of Sheppard introducing him always be played when he comes to bat.

 

[Steak Snabler]

He and John Wooden both died just short of 100. One of our local high school baseball PA guys (who is an English teacher) models his style after Sheppard. Always thought that was very cool.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

I was fortunate enough to make it to old Yankee astadium and hear The Voice of God. RIP

 

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

Now entering heaven (insert echo here)...BOB(insert echo here)...SHEPPARD(insert echo here)!!!!

RIP to the voice of Yankee Stadium.

 

[spnited]

Sheppard's philosophy that all of the current PA screamers need to adopt:

"I'm not a cheerleader; I don't think a public address announcer should be one. I'm not a circus barker, who strings out the announcement of a home team player. That curdles my spirit when I hear it."

 

[taller hack]

A big part of my childhood and times I spent with my dad. RIP.

 

[dooley_womack1]

Was lucky enough to hear him live, too. A close second to James Earl Jones as best voice ever.

 

[GuessWho]

Think someone with his style of presentation would get hired today? I don't, unfortunately.

 

[JR]

A lovely tribute in the New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/sports/baseball/12sheppard.html?_r=1&hp

“The Yankees and Bob Sheppard were a marriage made in heaven,” said his son Paul Sheppard, a 71-year-old financial adviser. “I know St. Peter will now recruit him. If you’re lucky enough to go to heaven, you’ll be greeted by a voice, saying, ‘Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to heaven!’ ”

 

[DanOregon]

Went back east in 2000 when talk first surfaced about the Yankees and Red Sox dumping or renovating their stadiums. Hearing Sheppard was awesome - similar to seeing Johnny Cash or George Jones live.

 

[Dyno]

I am so sad. Nothing more to say.

 

[playthrough]

A lovely tribute in the New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/sports/baseball/12sheppard.html?_r=1&hp

“The Yankees and Bob Sheppard were a marriage made in heaven,” said his son Paul Sheppard, a 71-year-old financial adviser. “I know St. Peter will now recruit him. If you’re lucky enough to go to heaven, you’ll be greeted by a voice, saying, ‘Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to heaven!’ ”

When your obituary is in the NYT, and quotes your 71-year-old son, you have led a good life indeed. RIP.