Bob Sheppard retires

Yesterday it was announced that Bob Sheppard will not be at Opening Day.

Today, we learned that he will retire, unfortunately.

The new Yankee Stadium will sound much different than the old one. Bob Sheppard, the public address announcer for the Yankees since 1951, has retired.

Paul Doherty, a friend and agent who has represented Sheppard, said Sheppard’s son, Paul, told him about Sheppard’s plans on Wednesday morning.

“I think Bob just wants to take it easy and no longer have the pressure of, ‘Can he? Will he? Or won’t he?’” Doherty said in an e-mail message. “And, at 98, who can blame him?”

Very sad news.

Apparently Jim Hall, Sheppard's backup, will not be the full-time replacement.