New York Yankees PA announcer Bob Sheppard has decided to retire at 99. Once described by Reggie Jackson as “The Voice of God,” Sheppard began PA duties for the Yankees in 1951.
Even though he is retired, a recording of Sheppard’s voice rings out whenever Derek Jeter steps to the plate: “Now batting for the Yankees, No. 2, Deh-rick Jee-tuh.”
The list of players that Sheppard has announced at Yankee Stadium(aka “The House That Ruth Built”) over the last 50-something years is a collection of Hall of Famers, free-agent busts and World Series heroes. He’s called out the names “Joe DiMaggio,” “Mickey Mantle,” “Don Mattingly,” “Roger Clemens,” “Roger Maris,” “Reggie Jackson” and countless others thousands of times.
In his time with the Yankees, Sheppard announced over 4,500 games, seeing the Yankees win 22 American League pennants and 13 World Series championships.
Click here to read the Wikipedia entry on Bob Sheppard. It features more details on his life.
Below is a video of a tribute for Bob Sheppard that took place at Yankee Stadium on May 7th, 2000.
