Sheppard of History

Mike was good enough to send me an article that George Vescey wrote in today's New York Times about Bob Sheppard, alternatively referred to as the "Voice of Yankee Stadium" (as per the plaque dedicated to him in Monument Park) and the "Voice of God" (as per Reggie Jackson and Derek Jeter).  In it, Vescey said that Sheppard may return by mid-season as he recovers from a severe case of bronchitis he contracted last October before the start of playoff baseball.  For Yankees fans, players, patrons of Yankee Stadium, and I'd argue real lovers of the game, it is most welcome news. You can find the story at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/sports/baseball/27vecsey.html?ref=sports

I'd also contend that Sheppard has served as the "Voice of History" for the Yankees, serving as The Stadium's announcer since Opening Day, 1951--the last year that the great Joe DiMaggio played and the first for the great Mickey Mantle.  It is staggering to consider the sheer amount of Yankees and baseball history that Sheppard has witnessed over such a wide swath of time, and through seismic shifts in baseball, sports, and American culture and life.  To briefly encapsulate, Sheppard has been the Yankee Stadium announcer for thirteen World Series championships; twenty-two AL pennants; three perfect games (Larsen in the 1956 World Series, David Wells in 1998, and David Cone in 1999) and eight no-hitters in all; countless personal and team milestones; the tremendous eras of the dominant 1950s and early 1960s, the turbulent but successful late 1970s, and the outstanding 1996-2000 years; a thoroughly revamped Yankee Stadium in the mid-1970s with shifting dimensions before and afterwards; scores of classic games; and endless great personal and collective experiences and memories.

For practically all of the rich and storied history at Yankee Stadium since 1951, Sheppard has been there, his unique voice and announcing style ringing through the hallowed theater to its patrons, carried occasionally to the lucky listeners and viewers in far-flung homes.  For the final year of old Yankee Stadium, it would be fitting and poetic for Sheppard to make his healthy return to Yankee Stadium.  I strongly suspect that when he does, the cheers from patrons who once again hear his voice will rival those for the players whose names he has announced and whose exploits he has witnessed for decades.  The Voice of History deserves no less.