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New York Yankees will stop using Bob Sheppard’s voice after Derek Jeter retires

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees will see the retirement of an iconic player at season’s end when Derek Jeter finally hangs them up. With that, the team is also going to retire the use of the legendary voice of the Bob Sheppard during games.

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Sheppard, long the public address announcer for the Yankees, retired in 2007 after 56 years on the job. As Sheppard dealt with health issues, Jeter requested that he could still use the recording of Sheppard introducing him when he walks up to bat.

When Jeter bats, the late Sheppard (he passed away in 2010) still introduces him via that recording. Upon Jeter’s retirement at season’s end, the Yankees will also retire Sheppard’s voice, also known as the “Voice of God.”

From the Associated Press report:

"When Derek Jeter plays his final game at Yankee Stadium, Bob Sheppard will exit along with the New York Yankees captain.Nicknamed “The Voice of God” for his stylish, elegant introductions, Sheppard was the ballpark’s public address announcer from April 1951 until September 2007. Before Sheppard took ill, Jeter asked Sheppard to record his introduction, which has been used when the Yankees captain walked to the plate for home games……Recordings of Sheppard are used to welcome fans to Yankee Stadium at times, but Jeter’s introduction will be its last in-game airing."

This news serves as the most recent reminder that we are truly reaching the end of an era with Jeter’s retirement from baseball. The Yankees play their final home of the season on Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles.

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