Calling it a career/
newyork.yankees.mlb.com
For more than a half-century Bob Sheppard has been perfectly called “The Voice of the Yankees.”
Sheppard was the first voice visitors heard entering the Stadium and last as they exited.
MLB.com spoke with Sheppard, 99, on Wednesday, who said “I have no plans of coming back.”
Sheppard echoed the same thoughts in a brief phone call with Examiner.com in October.
He clicked the microphone on for the first time on Opening Day 1951. It was also the debut for a centerfielder from Oklahoma---Mickey Mantle.
Sheppard said to MLB.com that he doubts “very, very much” that he could even announce just one Yankee game in 2010.
The legendary Sheppard has not worked a game at Yankee Stadium since late 2007 due to illness. He wasn’t able to attend the final game at the old Stadium in 2008 (but he recorded the Yankee lineup) or the first one at the new Stadium in 2009.
He has remained a presence at the Stadium, as the Captain, Derek Jeter, requested Sheppard’s signature at-bat introduction: “number two, Derek Jeter, number two.”
Sheppard has given spectators the lineups at approximately 4,500 games, including 121 post-season contests.
Some of those games involved Reggie Jackson, who has referred to Sheppard as “The Voice of God.”
In place of the “The Voice of God,” Paul Olden has ably performed the duties. Olden is a veteran play-by-play announcer, including 1995-1996 for the Yankees on WPIX. He also spent three years as the New York Jets radio voice.
Olden has extensive public address experience—a 12-time Super Bowl in-stadium announcer.
“It’s time to accept the fact that I had a great run,” Sheppard said.
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