Who is Bob Sheppard?
Bob Sheppard was an American public address announcer who had a net worth of $1.5 million at the time of his death in 2010. He is best known for being the longtime voice of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants, as well as a speech professor at St. John’s University. He is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and respected announcers in sports history.
Early Life and Education
Bob Sheppard was born on October 20, 1910, in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York. He grew up in a Catholic family and attended St. John’s Preparatory School, where he played baseball and football. He then graduated from St. John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1932, and a master’s degree in speech in 1933. He also earned a doctorate in education from Columbia University in 1953.
Career and Net Worth of Bob Sheppard
Bob Sheppard started his announcing career in 1951, when he was hired by the New York Yankees as their public address announcer. He made his debut on April 17, 1951, at Yankee Stadium, and introduced the starting lineup that included Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. He became known for his clear, elegant, and distinctive voice, as well as his signature phrase, “Now batting for the Yankees, number…”, followed by the player’s name and position. He announced for the Yankees for 56 seasons, from 1951 to 2006, and witnessed many historic moments, such as Roger Maris’s 61st home run, Reggie Jackson’s three home runs in the 1977 World Series, and Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit. He also announced for the New York Giants football team for 50 seasons, from 1956 to 2005, and for other teams and events, such as the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers, the Army-Navy game, and the Papal Mass at Yankee Stadium. He retired from announcing in 2007, due to health issues, but his recorded voice continued to introduce Jeter until his retirement in 2014.
Bob Sheppard also had a career as a speech professor at St. John’s University, where he taught for more than 60 years, from 1948 to 2009. He also wrote a book, entitled The Voice of the Yankees, in 2000, and narrated a documentary, entitled The Life and Times of Bob Sheppard, in 2008.
Bob Sheppard had a net worth of $1.5 million at the time of his death in 2010. He earned his income from his announcing and teaching careers, as well as his book sales and endorsements. He lived a modest lifestyle, and owned a house and a car. He was also active in various charities and causes, such as the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts of America.
Height, Weight & Body Measurements
Bob Sheppard was a tall and slender man, who stood at 6 feet 4 inches and weighed about 180 pounds. He had gray hair and blue eyes. He dressed in a formal and classy manner, and often wore suits and ties. He took care of his health and fitness, and followed a balanced diet and a regular exercise routine.
Interesting Facts About Bob Sheppard
Here are some interesting facts about Bob Sheppard that you may not know:
- He was a fan of music and literature, and enjoyed listening to classical music and reading books by authors such as William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens.
- He was a lover of animals and nature, and owned a dog named Sparky. He also supported various environmental and animal welfare causes, such as the Audubon Society and the ASPCA.
- He was a friend and a colleague of many sports legends, such as Babe Ruth, Yogi Berra, Frank Gifford, and Phil Rizzuto. He also received many honors and awards, such as the Curt Gowdy Media Award, the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, and the Ford C. Frick Award.
- He was married to Mary Sheppard, who was a nurse and a homemaker. They had four children, Paul, Mary, Barbara, and Christopher, and 16 grandchildren. He was also a devout Catholic, and attended Mass every day.
- He died on July 11, 2010, at the age of 99, at his home in Baldwin, Long Island, New York. He was buried at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, New York.