Apr 02 2009
Bob Sheppard - The Voice of Yankee Stadium
When the new Yankee Stadium hosts its first game tomorrow, it will sound different from the old Yankee Stadium because Bob Sheppard’s clear, crisp voice will not be emanating from the public address system. Sheppard, 98, is recovering from a bronchial infection, and is rumored to be considering retirement.
Sheppard began announcing at Yankee Stadium on April 17, 1951, announcing a lineup which included Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle. 4,500 games later, his voice is as much of the Yankee Stadium tradition as the stars who have played there.
Derek Jeter will lead off tomorrow’s game, and he requested to be announced by a recording of Sheppard’s voice. What a fitting way to christen the new Yankee Stadium
