Bob Sheppard May Miss the Final Season at Yankee Stadium

Legendary Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard has had some health issues over the last two seasons, limiting his appearances at Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately, the 97-year-old (!) Sheppard may not see any time at the Stadium in 2008.

Bob Sheppard, who has been the public-address announcer at Yankee Stadium since 1951, may not be able to resume his duties this season.

"He's struggling to regain his health," Yankees spokesman Howard Rubenstein said. "He's in poor health. He and the Yankees both hope he's back in the booth. For now he's not."

Sheppard missed the final homestand of last season and the playoffs with what the team called laryngitis.

Rubenstein said Sheppard's son, Chris, will "try out" for a spot as a substitute by working some spring-training games.

You might have known that Sheppard was also the PA announcer for the New York Giants for many seasons. What you may not have known unless you were there (or if you check Sheppard's Wikipedia page) is that Sheppard also did the public address announcing for St. John's basketball and football games (he was a professor at the school as well). It always amazed me that the same voice known the world over for announcing names like Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, and Reggie Jackson in front of crowds of over 50,000 was the same voice that announced Division III football in front of crowds of 800. But whatever the sport, whatever the crowd size, he brought the same professionalism to every game he worked. Hopefully, there will be more announcements from Sheppard at some point in '08.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

2-08-2008 @ 9:51AM

August West said...

If I live to be 96, I'd kill to be active enough to work like that! Just amazing.

nyc said...

Looks like this is the end of a legend. What a shame, but happens to us all...

2-08-2008 @ 10:17AM

Kevin said...

Professor Sheppard is certainly The Voice of God for Yankee fans.

2-08-2008 @ 11:07AM

grapevinesooner said...

From a Red Sox fan, I'm hoping we hear his dulcets at Yankee Stadium this year.

2-08-2008 @ 11:30AM

john said...

I remember walking into the old/original Yankee stadium in 1965 for the first time in my life. I walked up the hallway to the sunlit opening of this monster of a baseball stadium at the mezzanine level that I had cherished to see since I was 5. I was now 11 and it was my time to finally see the outside and inside of what millions had seen and talked about before me. This was every NY boys dream. The day to finally see my heroes and the place where they layed the lumber and ran to the ball. This was my first day to see my Yankees!!!I walked up to the opening where an usher was standing and just starred.....probably for 5-10 minutes before my dad finally told me to get moving. I couldn't believe what I just saw!..the green grass, the players in real life, man I just started running not even knowing where we sat. My dad finally pulled me over and said "calm down now and lets get to our seats". When we sat down I was a nervous wreck ..watching and starring at everything I dreamt about, and now it finally came true. When the players were done with warm ups and the field bare with only press and maintanence people, I finally heard that special voice...that voice only the Yankees had. The guy who always said.."ladies and gentleman. good afternoon and welcome to Yankee Stadium..I never heard any voice like that...just like the one on tv..That voice was so special it actually pumped you up before the game ever started. I looked forward to hearing that for the next 35 years.There will never be a more part of Yankee history than Bob Sheppard. Bob...on behalf of every Yankee fan there was and is, We thank you for all of those thousands of games that you were there and provided us with that special voice...the heart and soul of Yankee tradition. We all hope you have a speedy recovery and God Bless...

2-08-2008 @ 12:02PM

Jim Mirando said...

If there ever is a person to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame it should be Bob Sheppard.
His voice can never be duplicated but always will be imitated. He announced all players as if they were entering the Eternal Baseball Hall of Fame. Baseball will miss a true legand of the game.

2-08-2008 @ 1:05PM

MERRIL MORRISON said...

I LIVED IN NEW YORK CITY ABOUT 5 BLOCKS FROM YANKEE STADIUM ON THE TOP FLOOR OF MY APARTMENT HOUSE. I COULD HEAR BOB ANNOUNCE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN.

WHAT AN ANNOUNCER....WHAT A VOICE....WHAT A DELIGHT IN HEARING HIM AT YANKEE STADIUM AND AS A SEASON TICKET HOLDER AT THE GIANTS GAMES.

FEEL BETTER BOB....WE LOVE YOU.

2-08-2008 @ 2:35PM

Hey Merril
Wow am I envious of you! That must have been something. Being able to hear him in that NY atmosphere all season. I know that you will never forgrt that.

2-08-2008 @ 4:41PM

Steve Salinas said...

Mr Sheppard is a New York City and Yankee legend. Here's hoping he recovers enough to enjoy the rest of his time here. He has given us all many great memories and has earned the right to be comfortable as he can be these days. Thank You for being "The Voice" we all loved so much. Good health Mr Sheppard.

2-08-2008 @ 5:12PM

Caf said...

Here is another Red Sox fan who wants to see Mr. Sheppard back at the current AND new Yankee Stadium. I'd also like to echo August West's statement about being that active at age 96.

2-08-2008 @ 5:34PM

FTB said...

His class and professionalism come to mind every time I have to listen to one of these idiot screaming PA announcers that dominate the sports scene today. What a pleasure it has been to listen to him over the last 57 years. Good luck to his son Chris, a nice guy who I played summer volleyball with for a couple of summers 2 decades ago.

2-08-2008 @ 5:36PM

Jeff Gilbert said...

To Bob Sheppard
I am 56 years old and grew up one block from the bleacher entrance to The Stadium. I also worked as a vendor at The Stadium in 1965 for the football Giants. You have been the cconstant. Players, managers and owners came and went, but there was always Bob Sheppard.It was always reassuring and comforting to hear your voice.
I will always remember,"Batting fourth,in centerfield, number 7, Mickey Mantle, number 7."
I loved that call, always will.Please
make regaining your health the #1 priority.
God Bless You Bob.

2-09-2008 @ 10:03AM

Dave Goode said...

Growing up in the Bronx I started going to Yankee games at age 7. I later worked at THE STADIUM as a vendor for 29 years....It was a pleasure and a treat to hear Bob's voice everyday YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE LADIES AND GENTLEMAN....WELCOME TO YANKEE STADIUM. My hope and prayers are that you GET WELL and hopefully can still echo that great WELCOME TO YANKEE STADIUM

2-08-2008 @ 9:57PM

craig said...

Although he's 97, he should never leave us. Get well soon Bob

2-09-2008 @ 1:00AM

A GREAT MAN WHO DOES WHAT HE LOVES AND IS THE BEST AT HIS CRAFT.....THAT IN MY BOOK MAKES BOB SHEPPARD AN ICON! FOR ME GOING TO THE STADIUM AND HEARING HIM SAY OVER THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SPEAKER .."NOW BATTING NUMBER 7 MICKEY MANTLE" WAS MAGIC! WHEN MY TIME COMES TO ENTER HEAVEN I HOPE BOB SHEPPARD IS THERE TO SAY...."NOW ENTERING THE PEARLY GATES....
GET WELL SOON BOB....IT ISN'T THE SAME WITHOUT YOU!

2-09-2008 @ 1:02AM

JEREE JOHNSON said...

I grew up in Chicago as a Yankee fan. My first baseball games were bleacher seats at Wigley field. Pat Piper was the PA announcer, he sat on a folding chair on the playing field close to the first base batters circle. He had a marvellous voice and was a presence at Wrigley well into his 80's. In the 60's the TV announcers for the World Series were from the competing teams. I remember Red Barber of the Dodgers and Mel Allen of the Yankees. Great orators, magnificent voices and a pleasure to listen to. In 1962 I made my first visit to Yankee Stadium and heard the voice of Bob Sheppard. What a thrill to finally be at THE STADIUM, watch the yanks win, Mick homer and to hear Bob in action. As the years have passed, and I watch the games on TV, and I hear Bob introduce the next batter I flash back to my visits to NY. The legends and great voices of the game are all disappearing, Vin Scully is the resident master today, and he too is in his 80's. Life goes on, but thanks to all the greats who have informed and entertained us for a lifetime. Go Yanks, win one more for Bob Sheppard in 2008!

2-09-2008 @ 10:48AM

Darren Leeds said...

Bob Sheppard once paged me at a St. John's basketball game. WILL DARREN LEEDS PLEASE GO TO THE SECURITY GATE. I had left my school id there. Funny but I'll never forget that. I felt like Mickey Mantle or Bobby Murcer or Reggie. He is the voice of NY sports. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.

2-09-2008 @ 11:55AM

Tyrus said...

I as well agree with all of thee above statement's in regard to just how special this man has been to Yankee Tradition and History. He is there equivelant of Detroit's Ernie Harwell in making every Game that he has Broadcast a meaningful special event. He is and has been truly the Voice of GOD to all Yankee Fan's for Many/Many Year's. May you fully recover and carry on to your liking Bob , God Bless !!!

2-10-2008 @ 12:02AM

Frank Biscay said...

When I was a kid, my parents rented an apartment from Bob's mother in the 40's in Richmond Hill, NY on 110th Street. When a teen, Bob was a speech teacher at my high school, John Adams in ozone Park, NY. He worked with the kids that stuttered or spoke with lisps and helped them all. A great guy, teacher and helper; also was an English teacher at the same school. Get well, Bob !!!!!!!