Iconic Yankees Announcer Bob Sheppard Dead at 99

Bob Sheppard, the public-address announcer who welcomed generations of fans to Yankee Stadium in a career that spanned more than 55 years, has died at 99, the team announced today. Reggie Jackson nicknamed Sheppard "The Voice of God," and a recording of his voice continued to announce Derek Jeter after he left the booth in 2007, reports the Daily News.

Sheppard was a perfectionist who managed to enjoy himself on the job. Mickey Mantle's name was one of his favorites to announce, "because of the perfect alliteration," he once said, "But if I had to pick just one it would probably be the Japanese pitcher for the Angels, Shi-ge-toe-shee Ha-se-gaw-a [Shigetoshi Hasegawa]! How much fun it was to work my tongue around that one!"
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