Results tagged “bobsheppard”

The much beloved longtime public-address announcer for the Yankees, Bob Sheppard, officially retired today. His friend and agent Paul Doherty broke the news to the Times, telling them, “I think Bob just wants to take it easy and no longer have the pressure of, ‘Can he? Will he? Or won’t he?’" Sheppard is 98-years-old and has been introducing Bombers to the plate since 1951. Health problems have kept him sidelined for portions of the last few seasons—including last year's final Opening Day at the old Stadium. Doherty said, “I’m happy to say that Bob is still doing well enough to drive a car...Now on to him seeing his 100th birthday in a year and a half.” There is no word yet on who will replace Sheppard, other than it will not be previous backup Jim Hall. Sheppard's voice will still be heard in the new Yankee Stadium announcing Derek Jeter—the Yankee captain had previously asked Sheppard to record his introduction so that it could be used permanently.

With the news that Roger Clemens is returning to the Yankees, reactions from the local media and Yankee fans are generally positive. Clemens made the announcement during the 7th inning of yesterday's 5-0 win over the Seattle Mariners. After the singing of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," Bob Sheppard directed the crowd to the owner's box for a special announcement. Only then did the public find out that Clemens would be returning to pitch for the Yankees, "Well, they came and got me out of Texas. I can tell you, it's a privilege to be back. I'll be talking to y'all soon."

It may have been the first home game of the season, but Gothamist refuses to recognize it as Opening Day until Bob Sheppard shows up. Maybe that was the way the Yankees felt because they struggled for far too long before beating the Royals 9-7.

Bob Sheppard, the legendary voice of both the Giants and the Yankees has decided to call it quits (Times Select or summary on NY1) - just for the Giants. The 95 year-old public address announcer has been with the Giants since 1956, ever since the Giants moved to Yankee Stadium from the Polo Grounds. The reason for stepping aside? He just couldn't deal with the traffic. When we initially read that, Gothamist was thinking, "what is a 95 year-old doing behind the wheel," but it seems like a friend drives Sheppard to and from games.

Jesse Oxfeld