LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Robert Leo Sheppard, long-
time and legendary New York Yankees public address announcer

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Robert Leo Sheppard, noting the significance
of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Born on October 20, 1910, Robert "Bob" Sheppard, whose
elegant introductions of stars from Joe DiMaggio to Derek Jeter at
Yankee Stadium for more than a half century earned him the nickname "The
Voice of God," died on Sunday, July 11, 2010, at the age of 99; and
WHEREAS, Bob Sheppard started with the Yankees in 1951 and last worked
at Yankee Stadium late in the 2007 season; he recorded a greeting to
fans that was played at the original ballpark's final game on September
21, 2008, and his audio recording still is used to introduce Derek Jeter
before each at-bat at home by the Yankees captain; and
WHEREAS, The Yankees' lineup for Bob Sheppard's first game on April
17, 1951, included Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Johnny Mize, Yogi Berra,
and Phil Rizzuto; and that day, the opponents, the Boston Red Sox, were
led by Ted Williams; and
WHEREAS, On May 7, 2000, after 50 years and two weeks on the job, the
team honored Bob with "Bob Sheppard Day" and put a plaque in his honor
in Monument Park; fans gave him a standing ovation, and legendary news
anchor Walter Cronkite read the inscription; in addition, Yogi Berra,
Reggie Jackson and Don Larsen were among those who stood on the field
during the ceremonies; and
WHEREAS, "The voice of Yankee Stadium," read the plaque; "For half a
century, he has welcomed generations of fans with his trademark greet-
ing, 'Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Yankee Stadium'"; and
WHEREAS, Bob Sheppard also served as the stadium voice of the NFL's
New York Giants from 1956-2005, and for men's basketball and football at
St. John's University, as well as for Army football along with the
Cosmos soccer team; he also announced for the American Football League's
New York Titans at the Polo Grounds and the World Football League's New
York Stars at Downing Stadium; and
WHEREAS, However, baseball is what made Bob Sheppard famous; Babe Ruth
gave Yankee Stadium its nickname, but Bob Sheppard gave the ballpark its
sound; and
WHEREAS, Bob Sheppard announced at 62 World Series games and a pair of
All-Star games, and introduced more than 70 Hall of Famers throughout
his career; it was one of them, Reggie Jackson, who dubbed Bob Sheppard
"The Voice of God"; and
WHEREAS, Unlike the shrill shills of later generations, Bob Sheppard
conducted himself with an understated and dignified delivery; he
employed perfect diction, befitting a man who considered his real job
teaching speech at St. John's University; he graduated from St. John's
in 1932 and later worked there for more than 25 years; and
WHEREAS, Bob Sheppard, who followed the New York Giants across the
Hudson River when they moved to New Jersey, received a ring after the
team won its first Super Bowl in the 1986 season; it complemented his
Yankees' World Series jewelry; his football calls covered the Giants
from the era of Frank Gifford through Tiki Barber; and
WHEREAS, While Bob Sheppard didn't like to reveal his age, it could be
pinpointed because he was the quarterback of St. John's football team
from 1928-1931, and was a left-handed first baseman for the University
during the springtime; and
WHEREAS, Bob Sheppard began his announcing career at an exhibition
football game, which led to a job with the long defunct Brooklyn Dodgers

of the All-American Conference in 1947; when they folded a year later,
he was hired by the football New York Yankees, who played at Yankee
Stadium; and
WHEREAS, Management with the baseball Yankees liked Bob Sheppard's
approach, and he was on board for Opening Day in 1951; while proud of
his work with the Yankees, he also was known for his speaking as a
church lector, and taught priests how to give sermons; and
WHEREAS, When Bob Sheppard missed the 1997 division series, ending his
streak of 121 consecutive postseason games worked at Yankee Stadium, he
was replaced by Jim Hall, his longtime substitute; Paul Olden took over
when the Yankees moved to the new ballpark in 2009; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Mary, Bob Sheppard is survived by
sons Paul and Christopher, daughters Barbara and Mary, four grandchil-
dren and nine great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Bob Sheppard's life was a
portrait of service, a legacy which will long endure the passage of time
and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Robert Leo Sheppard, longtime and legendary New York
Yankees public address announcer; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Robert Leo Sheppard.