Bob Sheppard, legendary Yankees announcer, dies at 99

By Rick Porter

July 11, 2010 3:39 PM ET

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Bob Sheppard, the public address announcer for the New York Yankees for more than half a century, has died.

Sheppard, who was often referred to as the "Voice of God," died Sunday (July 11) at his home on Long Island with his wife at his side, the AP reports. He was 99.

Sheppard, who also taught speech at St. John's University in New York, became the public address announcer at Yankee Stadium in 1951 -- when the team's lineup included Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra -- and held the job for 56 seasons. A bronchial infection forced him to step aside late in the 2007 season, but he returned to announce the starting lineup in the final game at old Yankee Stadium.

Yanks captain Derek Jeter requested that a recording of Sheppard's voice introducing him before each at-bat be used in the new stadium.

Sheppard was also for many years the stadium announcer for the New York Giants and for men's basketball at St. John's.

Below is a recording of Sheppard's player introductions for the final game at old Yankee Stadium in 2008.