Bob Sheppard voice of Yankees steps down at 99

MLB.com - Bob Sheppard has decided it is time to officially step down as the public address announcer of the New York Yankees.

"I have no plans of coming back," the 99-year-old 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."

Sheppard's legendary service to the organization began by introducing the lineups on April 17, 1951, and spanned approximately 4,500 games, including 121 consecutive postseason contests, a streak that ended in 2007 due to illness.

"I haven't been well," Sheppard said. "I had problems breathing for a while, and then I had a loss of weight. Now I'm trying to build myself back up again to get back to the stamina that I had when I played football at St. John's [University] many, many, many years ago, and life-guarding in the summer. I was at one time, about two years ago, down to 103 pounds.

"The doctor said that when I get to be about 145 pounds, he will give me clearance again. I have now reached about 137 and I'm not too far from what he wanted me to be. I have to keep building, and I'll be back at my best weight."

Wow, I love seeing that kind of consistency. Truly an icon.

Now if their Radio announcer would only step down. "ThhhhHhhhhHHhhhhhhhhhhhHhhhhaaaaaaaaaaa Yankeesss win!!!"


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym9uJ7xAu-0]YouTube - Yankees Win![/ame]

somwhere in DSM...the round guy is crying

Hate the Yanks, but gotta respect that... I like when he played himself in Billy Crystals "61*"

I don't think he was the full timer as it was. Jeter had him record his intro for that reason I believe.

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Originally Posted by IcSyU

I don't think he was the full timer as it was. Jeter had him record his intro for that reason I believe.

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I think he was there basically full time. He has some health issues that wouldn't allow him there at times which is why Jeter wanted it recorded

I hate the Yankees, but have to give this guy his credit.