Bob Sheppard to miss 1st Home Opener in 56 seasons

[Mattingly]

He saw JoeD's final season in 1951, which coincided with Mickey's first, in RF no less.

He's nursing a sprained hip. Here's the official Yankee Press Release:

PRESS RELEASE

Bob Sheppard to miss first Opening Day at Yankee Stadium in 56 years

Bob Sheppard, the legendary "Voice of Yankee Stadium," will miss today's home opener at Yankee Stadium and the remainder of this homestand after throwing out his left hip at his home on Long Island last night. Mr. Sheppard is doing fine and is expected to return to Yankee Stadium for the Yankees game vs. Baltimore on April 21.

During his absence, Mr. Sheppard will be replaced by his long-time backup, Jim Hall.

"I am very disappointed that I will miss my first Opening Day at Yankee Stadium since I began this job in 1951," Sheppard said. "I am optimistic that I will return to the Stadium for the next homestand."

[mikesty]

HALF A CENTURY! That's absolutely insane. I <3 Bob Sheppard, he is the voice of God.

[Mattingly]

HALF A CENTURY! That's absolutely insane. I <3 Bob Sheppard, he is the voice of God.

He's also called many NY Giants (NFL) games as well. The man is a Yankee legend!

[Mattingly]

Here's an update:


Bob Sheppard (in 2003 photo)
will be back next week in his
rightful place at Yankee Stadium
after hip injury made him miss
opener.

'God' still on Yanks' side--Famed voice Sheppard is on the mend

Be not afraid: the Voice of the God will be back next week.
Legendary Yankee Stadium announcer Bob Sheppard - who this week missed his first Opening Day since 1951 - is recovering nicely from a hip injury and told the Daily News yesterday that he'll back for the Bombers' next homestand.

"It's not even the 15-day DL," Sheppard intoned in his legendary voice from his Baldwin, L.I., home. "I had such a long streak going and it had to end sometime, but it's not the end of my career."

Sheppard, 95, said he slipped off the edge of his bed while bending over on Monday and toppled to the floor, feeling as if his hip "exploded."

"I was in excruciating pain but nothing was broken and [the medical staff] treated me so well," a grateful Sheppard said. "The doctors must have been Yankees fans."

[Mattingly]

He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaack! :gt

Bob Sheppard will return tonight

Technically, the Yankees' home opener was last week. Tonight it really will feel like home.

After missing his first Bronx opener since 1951 because of a hip injury, public address announcer Bob Sheppard said yesterday he plans to return for this weekend's series against the Orioles.

"The doctor has given me a clean bill of health," he said from his home in Baldwin, "and just cautioned me to be careful, careful, careful. No more high jumping. No high hurdles. No more wild dancing."

Sheppard suffered a dislocation of his left hip but said he has only mild tenderness in the area now. Jim Hall filled in last week and told Sheppard he will be home in Floral Park today if needed.