A final farewell to one of the finest voices in all of baseball. Bob Sheppard, long time Yankees PA announcer, has passed away at the age of 99. He will surely be missed.
Something just doesn't seem right when I go to the new Yankee Stadium. No offense intended towards the new PA announcer, but you're no Bob Sheppard. While you still get the experience of a Sheppard announcement of "Now Batting. Number Two. Der-Rek Jet-er. Jet-er. Number two.", there is just something missing.
No longer will we here the signature "Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to Yankee Stadium" in his signature voice. No more games with Bob Sheppard behind the microphone, speaking like the voice of God in the cathedral known as Yankee Stadium.
I think it's great that Jeter has requested that Sheppard's recording be played before he bats. It's a legacy. A tradition that needn't be broken. I feel bad for the new players, like CC, AJ and Tex who never had the chance to hear a cheer after Sheppard announced their name.
I think his son said it best. "The Yankees and Bob Sheppard were a marriage made in heaven. I know St. Peter will now recruit him. If you’re lucky enough to go to heaven, you’ll be greeted by a voice, saying, ‘Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to heaven!’ ”
Bob, if you're reading this, please know that you are greatly missed. Your accomplishments are beyond all plausible recongition.
Other notes:
Yanks looked good today. Solid victory over the M's.
Yanks looked good on Saturday, but Joba "The Pizza Hut" Chamberlain blew it (as usual)
Shockingly, AJ has looked better. Dave Eiland, never leave again.
Saw parts of the game in 3D today. It was pretty nifty.
The Classy Award of the day goes to the Seatle Mariners for the moment of silence for Sheppard. That was a high class maneuver by the upper management of the M's.
Spain won. Fortunatly, David Villa didn't score.
The Knicks got the ultimate consolation prize in free agency: Raymond Felton. He can shoot.
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