Thanks to Reader Mike F. for sending this along (see the links at right to check out Mike’s “The Baseline” blog).
Mike states that he was there for Sheppard’s final game. Hopefully he can send the date. I’d like to compare the teams and lineups from 1951 to the finale.
The news…Bob Sheppard, who was the PA announcer from 4/17/51 until 2008 (I think he made a few in 2008, but it could have been 2007), has made it official. After missing all of 2009 due to illness, the 99-year-old(!) Sheppard is calling it a career….
I was there on Bob Sheppard day,
when this plaque was dedicated.
…well, of sorts. Sheppard will still be there in spirit, as I’m sure we will always hear Mr. Sheppard’s voice at the Stadium (via audiotape) announcing Derek Jeter’s plate appearances.
That season opener in 1951 (Sheppard’s debut) saw the Yanks beat Boston 5-0 behind Vic Raschi. I’m looking for the boxscore. If you have it, send it in!
Boston had HOF Ted Williams and SS Lou Boudreau (nearing the end), as well as Dom DiMaggio, Bobby Doerr (HOF, but see below), Vern Stephens, Billy Goodman and Johnny Pesky. 1950 ROY Walt Dropo suffered a sophomore jinx in 1951. Pitchers were Mel Parnell, Ray Scarborough, Chuck Stobbs (who, two years to the day later, would give up Mantle’s shot in Washington), Mickey McDermott and Ellis Kinder.
The Yanks had Berra (HOF), Mize (HOF), Coleman, Rizzuto (HOF), (I think Billy Johnson started at 3B) Jensen (soon traded, not a HOF but 1958 MVP), Joe D., and a rookie named Mantle making his MLB debut. (Of course, Joe DiMaggio and Mantle being HOF). (Ford was in the service and missed all of 1951).
… I wonder if the 1951 ROY, McDougald, was on the bench (or was brought up later, as Johnson played just 15 games with the Yanks in 1951 before being shipped), as others on that 1951 team were Woodling, Joe Collins, Bobby Brown, Hank Bauer and Billy Martin. Pitchers were Reynolds, Raschi and Lopat, with Tom Morgan. Spec Shea and Bob Kuzava saw action and Johnny Sain was acquired late in the season.
They say 7 HOF in that Opening Day lineup between the two teams. I take it Bobby Doerr didn’t start? Doerr did have back trouble and 1951 was his final season.
…That’s it for me. I gotta go to my sister’s for dinner in about 35 minutes. Enjoy the day and count your blessings!
1 response so far ↓
1 mike f // Nov 26, 2009 at 4:25 pm
ok his last day was monday, september 17th, 2007. hughes won the game 8-5.
f-worthless gave up 2 runs in the ninth and mo had to come in to save his bacon. he left the mound to a hail of booooooos ( including my own) . I came back the next day and i remember saying to my friend terry that this guys sounded quite a bit like bob sheppard but i was sure it wasn’t him. a few minutes later it was announced that bob wasn’t there due to a case of laryngitis and that, as they say, was that…
the lineup was Torre’s usual:
Damon
Jete
Abreu
Alex
Matsui
Jorge
Big G ( shelley pinch ran later)
Robbie
Dougie
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