Fans lets remember the great Bob Sheppard…
When attending Yankee Stadium , fans knew they were in that special Cathedral called Yankee Stadium when they would hear “Ladies and Gentleman Welcome to Yankee Stadium ” and Sheppard was like a preacher getting ready for his daily sermon.
Sheppard announced some of the greatest Yankees and Ball players in baseball history beginning in 1951 .. Mickey Mantle told Sheppard he got chills up his spine when he heard his name and Yaz once said you are not in the big leagues until you hear Sheppard announce your name .
Derek Jeter had Sheppard record his intro and the recording was used from 2008 until Jeter retired and Sheppard called it his greatest honor.
Sheppard was meticulous in his preparation to insure he pronounced names correctly and would talk to players on proper pronunciation . Sheppard did call rookie Jorge Posada in his first apperance in a game ” Posado ” and fellow rookie and friend Derek Jeter picked up on the error and from that day on and still to this day ,he calls him ” Sado “
Sheppard was also the announcer for the NY Giants for years and said the greatest sports event he ever witnessed was the Classic 1958 Browns – Giants won by a Pat Summerall FG
Sheppard was a St Johns U grad and had a life long connection with St Johns and taught speech class for many years and the prestigious Sheppard Award goes to the top student -athlete each year at St Johns .
His welcoming greeting is still played on Old Timers Day and his Microphone is in the Baseball Hall of Fame . Sheppard had both a WS ring and Super Bowl ring
Upon his passing the Yankees to honor Sheppard had no announcer in the booth for the next home game played.. Sheppard has a plaque in Monument Park.
Bob Sheppard passed away in 2010 at age 99 . RIP
