NEW YORK (AP) – When Derek Jeter plays his final game at Yankee Stadium, Bob Sheppard will exit along with the New York Yankees captain.
Nicknamed “The Voice of God” for his stylish, elegant introductions, Sheppard was the ballpark’s public address announcer from April 1951 until Sept. 7, 2007. Before Sheppard took ill, Jeter asked Sheppard to record his introduction, which has been used when the Yankees captain walked to the plate for home games.
“He’s as important as any player that’s been here. He’s part of the experience,” Jeter said after Monday night’s win over the Baltimore Orioles. “Part of the experience of Yankee Stadium is Bob Sheppard’s voice.”
Sheppard debuted for the Yankees on April 17, 1951, and worked his final game on Sept. 5, 2007. He missed the 2007 AL division series because of a bronchial infection, ending his streak of 121 consecutive postseason games at Yankee Stadium. He was replaced by Jim Hall, his longtime sub, and Paul Olden took over when the Yankees moved to the new ballpark in 2009.
Sheppard announced his retirement after the 2009 season and died in July 2010 at age 99.