Bob Sheppard the famed Yankee and Football Giant PA announcer passed away Sunday at age 99. He started doing Yankee games the same year I started going to them 1951. I lived across the street on Gerard Avenue and I could hear him even when I was at home, that was so cool for us kids.

However the best memories I have of him are not at Yankee Stadium or The Meadowlands. When fall came on Saturday afternoons the guys I hung with would always go to college football games because they were free, Fordham, Columbia, St Johns get in free. Whenever St. Johns was at home we always went there. Why, because believe it or not despite the fact that there were more players and coaches on the field then people in the stands the PA guy for the Redmen was Bob Sheppard. Giving those college kids as much respect as he did the pros with all the same calls.

A friend of mine was privileged to be a student of Bob Sheppard at Columbia in his public speaking class and spoke of the “class” the class was exposed to.

What a voice, thanks for the many, many memories Mr. Sheppard.

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