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Bob Sheppard started job in 1951
Published on Friday, Nov 27, 2009
From Beacon Journal wire services
Bob Sheppard has no intentions of returning to his longtime job as the public address announcer at Yankee Stadium, MLB.com reported Thursday.
Sheppard, who is 99, hasn't worked a game since late in the 2007 season due to illness.
''I have no plans of coming back,'' Sheppard told the Web site in a telephone interview. ''Time has passed me by, I think. I had a good run for it. I enjoyed doing what I did. I don't think, at my age, I'm going to suddenly regain the stamina that is really needed if you do the job and do it well.''
When contacted by the Associated Press, Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said the team had no announcement or comment at this time.
Famous for his distinct and resonant tones, Sheppard became the PA announcer at the old Yankee Stadium in 1951. Decades later, Reggie Jackson gave him the nickname ''The Voice of God.''
Sheppard has called out names from Joe DiMaggio to Mickey Mantle to Derek Jeter over the years. For the final game at the old park in 2008, he recorded a greeting to fans and the introduction of the Yankees' starting lineup.
Paul Olden took over as the public address announcer at the new Yankee Stadium this year in Sheppard's absence. Jim Hall, a longtime backup, filled in for Sheppard late in 2007 and last year.
But when Jeter steps to the plate, it's still a recording of Sheppard's voice that rings out: ''Now batting for the Yankees, No. 2, Deh-rick Jee-tuh.''
Sheppard told MLB.com that he doubts ''very, very much'' that he'll be able to resume his duties for even one game next season.
''It's not just the two hours or three hours of baseball,'' he said. ''It's the trip, the preparation, the trip home, and a long, long day. I think at my age, it's time to accept the fact that I had a great run. A great run. And I only made a few mistakes along the way.''
MLB: Alex Gonzalez joins Blue Jays
• The Toronto Blue Jays signed shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a one-year deal worth $2.75 million, which includes a club option for 2011. The move came a day after backup shortstop John McDonald agreed to a $3-million, two-year deal that effectively marked the end of free-agent Marco Scutaro's time with the club. Gonzalez split last season between the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox, batting .238 with eight home runs and 41 RBI. The Venezuelan was an All-Star in 1999, and is a career .247 hitter with 114 home runs and 521 RBI. His club option would be worth $2.5 million if exercised.
• Sammy Sosa is being sued for $203,000 by a businessman who claims the former major-leaguer owes him for commission on a house sale, among other things, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Carim Abu Nabaa alleges that Sosa has not paid him a commission of $150,000 on a house sale, $43,000 for a luxury watch, and $10,000 for getting Reggaeton singer Don Omar to perform at Sosa's 41st birthday party. Sosa has been ordered to appear in a Dominican court Dec. 2.
Other: Ireland leads World Cup of Golf
• Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell shot a better-ball 58 to give Ireland a 3-stroke lead over Argentina after the first round of the World Cup of Golf in Shenzhen, China. Argentina's Tano Goya and Rafael Echenique were at 11-under 61, with Japan another shot behind. The United States team of Nick Watney and John Merrick was tied for 15th at 5-under 67 after four birdies by Watney. Defending champion Sweden was tied with Italy, Canada and South Korea 6 strokes off the lead in the $5.5 million tournament at the Mission Hills Golf Club.
• Juan Martin del Potro squeaked into the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals by beating Roger Federer 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3 — the slimmest possible margin to advance and knock Andy Murray out of the tournament in London. The result means Del Potro and Federer both advance after a three-way tie in Group A, with Murray's elimination literally coming down to the last game after three rounds of group matches. All three players finished the round-robin stage with two wins and identical 5-4 set records, but Murray had the lowest percentage of games won. Had Del Potro lost just one more game against Federer, Murray would have advanced at the Argentine's expense. Murray beat Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3).
• Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins will get a fifth season in Boulder instead of a pink slip and a $3.1 million buyout. Athletic Director Mike Bohn announced he's sticking with his coach despite a 16-32 record, including 2-20 on the road. The Buffs have endured four consecutive losing seasons under Hawkins, who has cleaned up a program tarnished by scandal under his predecessor, Gary Barnett, but has been unable to find success on the field. The Buffaloes (3-8, 2-5 Big 12) wrap up their season today against Big 12 North champion Nebraska (8-3, 5-2).
• Chile could be kicked out of the World Cup unless Chilean club Rangers drops a court case by Dec. 3 contesting its disputed demotion to the second division of the national soccer league. CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American soccer, said Thursday it was notified by FIFA about the possible sanction. Chile, which has not played in the World Cup since 1998, is one of five South American nations that have qualified for next year's tournament in South Africa.
From Beacon Journal wire services
Get the full article here.
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