Bob Sheppard, 'The Voice of God,' Retires

• Author: Min-Q Kim
• Posted on: Tuesday December 1, 2009 at 7:00 AM
• Filed under: sports, bob sheppard, new york yankees, pa announcer, voice of god, exclusive

Longtime Yankees PA announcer Bob Sheppard has called it a career. And what a career it was. He took over the PA mic on opening day, 1951 and was a mainstay at Yankee Stadium for over 50 years -- as much a part of the ballpark experience as the emerald green grass and crisp pinstriped uniforms. His majestic voice has become known simply as 'The Voice of God.'

The day Joe DiMaggio died, Sheppard paid tribute by recreating the starting lineups from Joe D's final game, World Series Game 6, 1951: Sheppard's first year on the job.

Most may reflect on the dignity he brought to the Yankees, and at the risk of sounding like a homer, it will all be true. But my favorite story about the Sheppard is one I read a couple years ago, by then-Yankees beat writer Peter Abraham in July '07:

Bob Sheppard, the 96-year-old stadium announcer, stands at the door of his booth when there are two outs in the ninth inning. Once the ball is on the air or on the ground, he heads for the elevator as fast as he can go.

Which, given is age, is impressively fast.

Mr. Sheppard gets dropped off in the lobby, gets in a waiting car and is on his way home within a minute or two. I suspect it’s a routine he has timed to the second given his 57 years on the job.

I happened to get on the elevator with him tonight and the kid running the elevator accidentally went up a floor before going down. Nobody said anything. Then that unmistakable voice was heard.

“Maybe in 50 years you’ll know what button to push,” Mr. Sheppard said.

Everybody laughed, including the kid. Then the elevator stopped and off went the legendary announcer into the night.

Here's a tribute video the Yankees produced for Bob Sheppard Day at the old Stadium:

Sheppard hasn't announced a game since 2007, but Derek Jeter still uses a recording of Sheppard's intro when he comes to bat.

(photo via gonyc.about.com)

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