Sheppard hangs up the mike

Legendary voice of Yankee Stadium Bob Sheppard told Bryan  Hoch today that he plans on retiring.  Sheppard, 99, hasn’t called a game since 2007.

"I have no plans of coming back," Sheppard said on Wednesday in a telephone interview. "Time has passed me by, I think. I had a good run for it. I enjoyed doing what I did. I don't think, at my age, I'm going to suddenly regain the stamina that is really needed if you do the job and do it well."

The entire article is worth a read.  He has words of praise for current public address announcer Paul Olden.  Sheppard also said he doubts he’ll return to Yankee Stadium in 2010 to call one game.

Of course, we still hear Sheppard’s voice when Derek Jeter comes to bat.

*****

I’m sure Mr. Sheppard has a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, just like all of us.  On that note, I’d like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Update: Sheppard denies retiring

Jack Curry updated his article, and, according to Bob Sheppard himself, he never said he's retiring.

Sheppard, when asked to confirm that he was officially retiring, said, “I never said it.”

Sheppard has been slowed by a bronchial infection. When asked what his plans were, he said: “I never said I’m not returning. I never, never said I’m not returning and I say it to you now.”

Interesting news. I'll keep you updated if I hear anything else.

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.

Sheppard to miss Opening Day

Sad news to report today. Bob Sheppard will be unable to announce the lineups at Opening Day in the new Stadium.

"I will not be able to be at Yankee Stadium for the series with the Cubs or opening Day," Sheppard said in a statement Tuesday. "My personal physician advised me to wait until I am ready. I am looking forward to doing games in the new stadium."

We look forward to that day too, Bob.

Yankee Stadium tribute

A man named Chris Pavia is a terrific impersonator of both Yankee Stadium public address announcer Bob Sheppard and former organist Eddie Layton. Via friend of Scott Proctor's Arm Bryan Hoch comes this great video of some of Pavia's work.



While you're at it, check out the rest of his tributes on his YouTube profile page.

Sheppard hopes to return for last game

Ailing public address announcer Bob Sheppard hopes to return for the final game at Yankee Stadium later this month, according to Jim Baumbach.

Sheppard says his doctor is unsure if he has enough stamina to call an entire game at Yankee Stadium.

So, really, the only thing Sheppard can do is wait and see. And there are other options. Sheppard said his backup Jim Hall, who has filled in for Sheppard all season, is willing to sit by his side during the final game. "And if I begin to get too tired, he would be my relief speaker, like a relief pitcher," he said.

Nothing against Mr. Hall, but games at Yankee Stadium just haven't been the same this season. Hopefully Sheppard can return for the final game and send the Stadium out in style.

'Voice of God' hopes for summer return

It's nice to wake up to good news every once in a while.

In an interview conducted by BustedHalo.com (via Peter Abraham), Bob Sheppard said he hopes to return by July 1 and announcer the All-Star Game later that month.

He also said he wants to keep doing his job so he can announce the lineups at Opening Day at the new Yankee Stadium.

Sheppard is so highly regarded that Derek Jeter still walks up to a recording of Sheppard announcing his name at Yankee Stadium.

He is as much a part of Yankee Stadium as anyone.

Lazy Sunday

The Yankees took the field at noon today, as players usually start the day late on Sunday. As a result, the reports on what happened today haven't been written yet.

According to Peter Abraham, Chien-Ming Wang is in line to start Opening Day, as he will start next Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Wang was scheduled to start Opening Day last season, but came down with a hamstring injury late in camp.

Ken Davidoff reports that Bob Sheppard recently signed a two-year extension. He should return two months into the season after coming down with pneumonia toward the end last year.