Yankees announcer Sheppard dies at 99

[Renew Deal]

Longtime New York Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard died early Sunday morning.

Sheppard died at his Baldwin, N.Y., home. He was 99.

Sheppard became the PA announcer at the old Yankee Stadium in 1951. He last worked late in the 2007 season, when he became ill with a bronchial infection. He told MLB.com in 2009 that he had no intention of returning to the job.

Sheppard made his debut at Yankee Stadium on April 17, 1951, when New York beat Boston 5-0 on Opening Day.

He was also the stadium announcer for the NFL's New York Giants, who played at Yankee Stadium before moving to Giants Stadium, from 1956 through 2006.

Sheppard, whom Reggie Jackson nicknamed the "Voice of God" for his distinct tone, called out names from Joe DiMaggio to Mickey Mantle to Derek Jeter in his tenure at Yankee Stadium. For the final game at the old Yankee Stadium in 2008, he recorded a greeting to fans and the introduction of New York's starting lineup.

His audio recording still is used to introduce Jeter before each at-bat at home by the Yankees captain.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5371001

Very sad. Sheppard was great! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj434vCtNRw

[Faygo Kid]

1. RIP. Wow, 99 - A life well lived.

Like my hero. The voice of summer. And George Kell was special, too.

[Onceuponalife]

2. A class act all the way.

About the only classy thing to reside at Yankee Stadium.

[bigwillq]

3. RIP

:(