A lovely tribute, with one small quibble -- he was actually the Yankees' announcer until almost the end of the 2007 season.
I feel bad for all the players, especially those with mellifluous Latin and Japanese names, who will never hear their names uttered by The Master over the Yankee Stadium P.A....
there will never, ever be another like mr. sheppard. i still get chills when i think about my first game in the stadium, hearing that voice. simply irreplaceable.
I remember my dad telling me when I was a kid that going to the stadium, walking out of the tunnel and looking out at the field is what he imagines heaven to be like. If that's true, hopefully we'll all get to hear Mr. Sheppards voice again someday.
Ladies and Gentlemen - please "welcome Mr. Robert Sheppard home."
My brother, a devoted Yankee fan all his life, passed away last week. I'd like to think that he and my Dad were near the Pearly Gates to welcome Mr. Sheppard home.
If only more p.a. announcers followed his excellent example. Perfect diction, perfect pronunciation, perfect pitch, perfectly dry, no hype and phony 'excitement'.
A true giant. The Yankees should force his successor to listen to tapes of Sheppard and learn how it should be done.
Generations will pass thru the turnstiles at the new, antiseptic and personality-free "Yankee Stadium" and not know the thrill of hearing Bob Shepard on the PA. Nor Eddie Layton on the keys, or Robert Merril wail. The mojo is truly gone and the facsimile is a sham. Sheppard, et. al always elevated the ballpark experience. Those were great days, but this puts the cap on it. A sad day in Yankee-ville. RIP Bob Sheppard, the last gentleman in the Bronx Zoo.
A. Grumpus, we'll also never hear Caruso sing at Carnegie Hall, or see Lincoln recite the Gettysburg Address. Yeah, it sucks that Sheppard and Layton and Merrill are all dead. But should the Yankees have folded once they croaked? For that matter, maybe we should have just called it a day when Babe Ruth died....
I'm just saying the new stadium is a hollow shell for monied swells, a monument to the allmighty dollar. And what made the old place special, to some extent, were those characters that gave the grand surroundings a human touch. Bob Sheppard for one. The new palace just seems to lack this--everything is about product placement and overkill (the world's largest hi-def tv screen or whatever) that somehow lessens my experience of the game as it seeks to enhance it. All the bells and whistles seem to overwhelm the actual on-field experience. Not to mention the cost. Bob Sheppard was an oasis in this loud, gleaming chaos. But what the hell do I know? I still miss Rizzuto, White and Murcer on WPIX. Earthy, unpretentious stuff. So guess what? I'm a crabassy nostalgic. It's writ in the name I was born with and therefore, my destiny. But let me leave you with this: don't ever get me started on Lincoln or Caruso. I could just talk all night. And just imagine how Bob Sheppard would've introduced them--En-REE-Co CAH-Rue-So. Ay-BRA-ham Link-on. They would've been humbled to have such an entrance.
While I disagree with your feelings about the new Yankee Stadium -- because the Yankees and baseball have always been about the almighty dollar, it's just that there are more dollars in play now -- I couldn't agree with you more about Sheppard announcing Lincoln and Caruso.
So many more historical figures I wish I could hear him announce. Now negotiating for the Britons, the Prime Minister, NE-ville CHAM-ber-lain, the Prime Minister. Now batting, his royal majesty, King CHAR-le-magne, numbah 1. Now pitching for the Almighty, Jesus of NA-za-reth....
With final walls of the real stadium being torn down, it seems only fitting that the aura and mystique which echoed through the voice of Bob Sheppard would go down with it. Thank you Mr. Sheppard for your soothing voice and commitment to the organization and its fans. The Yankees will never be the same. God bless you and your family.
Bob Sheppard epitimized the phrase "dulcet tones." His philosophy--clear, concise, correct--should serve as a permanent reminder to all aspiring writers and editors.
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That is a perfect tribute to Mr Sheppard, Great Job
ReplyDeleteWe knew this day would come but I don't think any of us believed it would. RIP Bob
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute, with one small quibble -- he was actually the Yankees' announcer until almost the end of the 2007 season.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for all the players, especially those with mellifluous Latin and Japanese names, who will never hear their names uttered by The Master over the Yankee Stadium P.A....
Bob grew up in Queens
ReplyDeletehttp://dbellel.blogspot.com/2010/07/birthplace-of-voice-of-lord.html
Your attention please...ladies and gentlemen...now entering heaven...public address announcer...the voice of Yankee Stadium...Bob Sheppard...public address announcer...
ReplyDeleteThis is from J A Adande Twitter
ReplyDeletejadande
Your attention please. Now ascending to heaven, Number 1, PA announcer, Bob Sheppard. Number 1.
The voice of reason.
ReplyDeleteHe even made the names of Red Sox players sound beautiful. RIP, Mr. Sheppard.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye old friend,
ReplyDeleteAlthough I never met you, I feel I've known you forever.
Ladies and Gentlemen, --- the voice of God.
God gets him forever now.
Farewell to The Voice. Condolences to the Yankiverse.
ReplyDeleteGuess he won't be doing the Heat games. Oh well.
ReplyDeletethere will never, ever be another like mr. sheppard. i still get chills when i think about my first game in the stadium, hearing that voice. simply irreplaceable.
ReplyDeleteNo jokes, no snark - we'll just miss you, Mr. Sheppard.
ReplyDeleteI remember my dad telling me when I was a kid that going to the stadium, walking out of the tunnel and looking out at the field is what he imagines heaven to be like. If that's true, hopefully we'll all get to hear Mr. Sheppards voice again someday.
ReplyDeleteThis was written by Richard Goldstein of the New York Times
ReplyDeleteIf you’re lucky enough to go to heaven, you’ll be greeted by Bob Sheppard saying,
‘Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to heaven!’ ”
Ladies and Gentlemen - please "welcome Mr. Robert Sheppard home."
ReplyDeleteMy brother, a devoted Yankee fan all his life, passed away last week. I'd like to think that he and my Dad were near the Pearly Gates to welcome Mr. Sheppard home.
If only more p.a. announcers followed his excellent example. Perfect diction, perfect pronunciation, perfect pitch, perfectly dry, no hype and phony 'excitement'.
ReplyDeleteA true giant. The Yankees should force his successor to listen to tapes of Sheppard and learn how it should be done.
Good morning.... and welcome to heaven... now entering... the PA announcah... Bob Sheppard...
ReplyDeleteGenerations will pass thru the turnstiles at the new, antiseptic and personality-free "Yankee Stadium" and not know the thrill of hearing Bob Shepard on the PA. Nor Eddie Layton on the keys, or Robert Merril wail. The mojo is truly gone and the facsimile is a sham. Sheppard, et. al always elevated the ballpark experience. Those were great days, but this puts the cap on it. A sad day in Yankee-ville. RIP Bob Sheppard, the last gentleman in the Bronx Zoo.
ReplyDeleteThe voice of the Yankees and the Giants.
ReplyDeleteDerek has pre-recorded the announcement makes for him and will, I think, use it at the stadium as long as he play,
Can you imagine trying to replace this great person?
Another great loss to us all, as our worlds continue to devolve and age.
A. Grumpus, we'll also never hear Caruso sing at Carnegie Hall, or see Lincoln recite the Gettysburg Address. Yeah, it sucks that Sheppard and Layton and Merrill are all dead. But should the Yankees have folded once they croaked? For that matter, maybe we should have just called it a day when Babe Ruth died....
ReplyDeleteI'm just saying the new stadium is a hollow shell for monied swells, a monument to the allmighty dollar. And what made the old place special, to some extent, were those characters that gave the grand surroundings a human touch. Bob Sheppard for one. The new palace just seems to lack this--everything is about product placement and overkill (the world's largest hi-def tv screen or whatever) that somehow lessens my experience of the game as it seeks to enhance it. All the bells and whistles seem to overwhelm the actual on-field experience. Not to mention the cost. Bob Sheppard was an oasis in this loud, gleaming chaos. But what the hell do I know? I still miss Rizzuto, White and Murcer on WPIX. Earthy, unpretentious stuff. So guess what? I'm a crabassy nostalgic. It's writ in the name I was born with and therefore, my destiny. But let me leave you with this: don't ever get me started on Lincoln or Caruso. I could just talk all night. And just imagine how Bob Sheppard would've introduced them--En-REE-Co CAH-Rue-So. Ay-BRA-ham Link-on. They would've been humbled to have such an entrance.
ReplyDeleteWhile I disagree with your feelings about the new Yankee Stadium -- because the Yankees and baseball have always been about the almighty dollar, it's just that there are more dollars in play now -- I couldn't agree with you more about Sheppard announcing Lincoln and Caruso.
ReplyDeleteSo many more historical figures I wish I could hear him announce. Now negotiating for the Britons, the Prime Minister, NE-ville CHAM-ber-lain, the Prime Minister. Now batting, his royal majesty, King CHAR-le-magne, numbah 1. Now pitching for the Almighty, Jesus of NA-za-reth....
With final walls of the real stadium being torn down, it seems only fitting that the aura and mystique which echoed through the voice of Bob Sheppard would go down with it. Thank you Mr. Sheppard for your soothing voice and commitment to the organization and its fans. The Yankees will never be the same. God bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteBob Sheppard epitimized the phrase "dulcet tones." His philosophy--clear, concise, correct--should serve as a permanent reminder to all aspiring writers and editors.
ReplyDeleteWe in Boston are sorry for your loss.
ReplyDelete