Bob Sheppard Hangs Up Mic After 50+ Year Run With Yankees

Longtime Yankees PA announcer Bob Sheppard has "decided it is time to officially cede control of his microphone to a successor," according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Sheppard: "I have no plans of coming back. 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, whose first game was on April 17, 1951, and whose career has "spanned approximately 4,500 games," added that he "doubts 'very, very much' that he will be able to perform the public address duties for even one Yankees game in 2010." Hoch noted Sheppard's "absence from the ballpark the past two years has not been entirely his decision," as he has been battling illnesses (MLB.com, 11/26). In N.Y., Mark Feinsand noted Sheppard was "not formally replaced for 2008, when Jim Hall filled in during the final year at the old Stadium, but Paul Olden took over his duties this season to open" the new Yankee Stadium. Sheppard "has never been to the new Stadium," but said that he "regularly speaks with Olden" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/27). Also in N.Y., Mike Puma noted Sheppard served as NFL Giants PA announcer beginning in '56 at Yankee Stadium and "followed the team to the Yale Bowl and Giants Stadium before retiring from that position following the 2005 season" (N.Y. POST, 11/28).

NEXT IN LINE? In N.Y., Anthony McCarron wrote Olden "may be known as the man who permanently replaced the 'Voice of God.'" Olden "knew Sheppard was retiring." Olden: "He needed to get to a place where he could hear himself say those words and I think he got there." Olden added that in "recent conversations, Sheppard 'kind of gave me his blessing' as his replacement" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/29).

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