The legendary Bob Sheppard, the voice of Yankee Stadium since 1951, isn’t expected to be at the Yankees formal home opener on April 16; George Steinbrenner, chased by rumors of failing health, should be there.
Two small but very important pieces of news surrounding the formal opening of Yankee Stadium on April 16:
The legendary Bob Sheppard, the voice of Yankee Stadium since 1951, isn’t expected to be in attendance; George Steinbrenner, chased by rumors of failing health, should be there.
The 98-year-old Sheppard is still recovering from a bronchial infection that kept him out of the old Yankee Stadium for all of the 2008 season. His wife reports Sheppard lacks the stamina to visit the ballpark, much less man the mike. Despite the past health woes, he’s still hanging in there and hopes to make an appearance this summer.
In the case of Steinbrenner, who’s now confined to a wheelchair, sources say he’ll be at the ballpark but will most likely not make a public appearance. That would be a shame, really; love or hate the guy and his past business/baseball practices, he certainly added a lot of flair and passion for the game.
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