Bob Sheppard To Miss Opening Day [Archive]

NYDCYankee

04-11-06, 10:22 AM

Just heard on the 20/20 update that he won't be there today. He hurt his leg or something.

I hope he feels better. :(

NYDCYankee

04-11-06, 10:25 AM

First Opening Day he is missing in 56 years.

effdamets

04-11-06, 10:26 AM

Hurt his leg? Can't they carry him there? Let's face it, Mr. Sheppard is there for his voice....

RhodyYanksFan

04-11-06, 10:26 AM

First Opening Day he is missing in 56 years.

Wow. Just wow. That's amazing. I hope he feels better. I can't picture another voice announcing the lineups at Yankee Stadium.

xenjet

04-11-06, 10:28 AM

Rick Cerrone usually does a really good job filling in.

Snap731

04-11-06, 10:29 AM

Poor guy. I hope he gets some rest. But part of me says "Can't he phone it in??"

I love the fact that the Yanks have always had the same uniforms, that they play in the Bronx and that they never resorted to a PA announcer that was trying to pump us up the whole time.

The New York Yankees, all class.

NYDCYankee

04-11-06, 10:31 AM

I wonder if he can be placed on the DL?

rpbri2886

04-11-06, 10:37 AM

hopefully the problem is really something related to his leg and not something more serious.

I was at the last Giants game he will announce (supposedly), I hope to be able to hear him at YS a few more times too.

IronCaballo4

04-11-06, 10:38 AM

I wonder if he can be placed on the DL?

he's probably healthier than Pavano

TinoFan84

04-11-06, 10:40 AM

I hope he's ok ... bet it will be odd to have Opening Day without him. Feel better soon Bob!

paullio

04-11-06, 10:46 AM

Poor guy. I hope he gets some rest. But part of me says "Can't he phone it in??"

I love the fact that the Yanks have always had the same uniforms, that they play in the Bronx and that they never resorted to a PA announcer that was trying to pump us up the whole time.

The New York Yankees, all class.

There's nothing worse than going to other ballparks where the announcers sound like second rate Strip Club DJ's.

NelsonMuntz

04-11-06, 10:57 AM

There's nothing worse than going to other ballparks where the announcers sound like second rate Strip Club DJ's.
Or even worse, when they let kids announce the hitters and they basically just yell into the microphone in a high-pitch squeel.

Get well soon Bob. You are a national treasure.

ZYanksRule

04-11-06, 10:58 AM

oh, that's terrible.

Get better soon, Bob

iodon

04-11-06, 11:02 AM

At one end of the announcing spectrum there is Bob Sheppard and at the other is the guy who does the Nets. I hate that guy.

Jersey Yankee

04-11-06, 11:03 AM

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/logo_nyy_79x76.jpg PRESS RELEASE

Bob Sheppard to miss first Opening Day at Yankee Stadium in 56 years (http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060411&content_id=1394773&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy)

Bob Sheppard, the legendary "Voice of Yankee Stadium," will miss today's home opener at Yankee Stadium and the remainder of this homestand after throwing out his left hip at his home on Long Island last night. Mr. Sheppard is doing fine and is expected to return to Yankee Stadium for the Yankees game vs. Baltimore on April 21.

During his absence, Mr. Sheppard will be replaced by his long-time backup, Jim Hall. "I am very disappointed that I will miss my first Opening Day at Yankee Stadium since I began this job in 1951," Sheppard said. "I am optimistic that I will return to the Stadium for the next homestand."

Jim F.

04-11-06, 11:07 AM

At one end of the announcing spectrum there is Bob Sheppard and at the other is the guy who does the Nets. I hate that guy.And the guy who does the Giants.

Jersey Yankee

04-11-06, 11:18 AM

And the guy who does the Giants.I hadn't realized until I'd heard his voice during Wellington Mara's funeral that he'd done that also. I thought my ears were buggin' when I'd heard the familiar voice. How long's he been doing NY Giants games?

What happens if the Yanks are at home on a Sunday? How does he choose?

Finally, how long's he been there announcing?

One3kid

04-11-06, 11:23 AM

he's probably healthier than Pavano

Watch it, Pavano might read this and you'll hurt the only thing he hasn't...his feelings.

NYDCYankee

04-11-06, 11:40 AM

Finally, how long's he been there announcing?

56 years

Yankyfan

04-11-06, 11:50 AM

I went to a Thunder game last year and the guy there sounded just like Bob.Does anyone know who that is ??

Paul Hunter23

04-11-06, 12:01 PM

Who is the copy cat in Bob's place?

Mr. Mxylsplk

04-11-06, 12:35 PM

What happens if the Yanks are at home on a Sunday? How does he choose?
Yanks have always had priority, so it wasn't unusual for him to miss a Giants game early in the football season. But last season was his final one doing Giants games anyway.

Jersey Yankee

04-11-06, 12:46 PM

Yanks have always had priority, so it wasn't unusual for him to miss a Giants game early in the football season. But last season was his final one doing Giants games anyway.Thanks. They both play afternoon games, and I think that the NFL sometimes plays a few games on Saturday, though I'd always thought that Saturday was for NCAA football.

I'm glad he's got a 2nd life (and job), but can anyone let me know how long he's been calling Giants games?

PoughVirginiaYankee

04-11-06, 03:26 PM

Get Well Bob, it wasn't the same without you on opening day

in MO I trust 42

04-11-06, 03:45 PM

awww, i hope he gets better ASAP!

diehardyankeefan

04-11-06, 03:56 PM

Get well soon Bob!

BillBuckner

04-11-06, 04:34 PM

Who did the PA then? I thought he sounded pretty good.

Anyway, get well soon Bob.

fredgmuggs

04-11-06, 04:42 PM

Get well soon, Bob.

Does anyone have an idea how old the guy is? I'm guessing he must be in his 80's... and as much as it pains me to say this, he can't go on forever. Although, I hope he proves me wrong.

Mr. Mxylsplk

04-11-06, 04:48 PM

Thanks. They both play afternoon games, and I think that the NFL sometimes plays a few games on Saturday, though I'd always thought that Saturday was for NCAA football.

I'm glad he's got a 2nd life (and job), but can anyone let me know how long he's been calling Giants games?
Since 56.
http://www.americansportscastersonline.com/sheppardretires.html

The NFL only plays saturday games after college season ends, during the break between conf championships and bowl games.

One of the things he used to that I really loved, before they had an out of town scoreboard at Giants stadium, the only way to get the scores was when he announced them, maybe once a quarter. When doing scores for other nfc east teams, if they were losing, he'd give a nice pause before giving their score to really add a touch of drama. Lions 7, Dallas..... nothing. He's just awesome. I'll miss him for football, and I hope he has a lot of years left in him for the yanks.

Mr. Mxylsplk

04-11-06, 04:53 PM

Get well soon, Bob.

Does anyone have an idea how old the guy is? I'm guessing he must be in his 80's... and as much as it pains me to say this, he can't go on forever. Although, I hope he proves me wrong.
As far as I know his age isn't public, but most people seem to think he's in his 90's. If you've ever seen him recently, he looks really really old. Seriously, think Mr. Burns without the hunch.

Maynerd

04-11-06, 04:58 PM

There ought to be a plaque in monument park for Mr Sheppard. There's one in the dugout for Pete Sheehy, who most Yankee fans have never heard of, but who served the team for about the same number of years as Sheppard. Bob's 90+ years old. Let's give him the honor while we still can!

fredgmuggs

04-11-06, 05:03 PM

As far as I know his age isn't public, but most people seem to think he's in his 90's. If you've ever seen him recently, he looks really really old. Seriously, think Mr. Burns without the hunch.
I just did a google search on him and imdb.com lists his date of birth as October 12, 1910. That can't be right, can it? Anyway, God bless him. He's the best there ever was, and the best there ever will be.

Mr. Mxylsplk

04-11-06, 05:24 PM

I just did a google search on him and imdb.com lists his date of birth as October 12, 1910. That can't be right, can it? Anyway, God bless him. He's the best there ever was, and the best there ever will be.
wikipedia mentions that, but says there's no source given for it. Everything else I find says he's in his 90's. Like I said, he certainly looks it, though being 96 would be awfully old. Let's just hope we get to see the yanks honor him on his 100th birthday, whenever that might be. :)

njyankeesfan

04-11-06, 06:28 PM

Maynerd, there is a plaque honoring Bob Sheppard in Monument Park. I was at the game on 5/7/2000 when it was unveiled. It's mentioned in the Wikipedia entry for Mr. Sheppard. Agree with you all, whatever his age, he is a national treasure!

Casey37

04-11-06, 06:31 PM

Talk about having the perfect job. Bob Sheppard not only has it, he's been doing it forever. I envy him.

bamtino

04-11-06, 06:37 PM

I love Bob Sheppard - The Voice of God :)

I found this link and thought you might enjoy it.

A Bob Sheppard page: http://www.ultimateyankees.com/bobsheppardbiography.htm

Boogiedown Bomber

04-11-06, 06:37 PM

First Opening Day he is missing in 56 years.

his voice is the closest to what God would sound like, IMO. as soon as you hear his voice at the Stadium, you know that you are on storied grounds. it was sad not to hear his voice today.

Maynerd

04-12-06, 11:31 AM

Maynerd, there is a plaque honoring Bob Sheppard in Monument Park. I was at the game on 5/7/2000 when it was unveiled. It's mentioned in the Wikipedia entry for Mr. Sheppard. Agree with you all, whatever his age, he is a national treasure!

I (obviously) didn't know that. It's certainly fitting.