For those who don't pay attention to the Yankees, which to Yankees fans is absolutely no one, then you missed news about longtime PA announcer Bob Sheppard reportedly (officially) announced his retirement. The 99-year-old hasn't worked a game since late 2007 due to his health.

"I have no plans of coming back," Sheppard told MLB.com in a telephone interview. "Time has passed me by, I think. I had a good run for it. I enjoyed doing what I did. I don't think, at my age, I'm going to suddenly regain the stamina that is really needed if you do the job and do it well."

Sheppard began his PA career in 1951.

"It's not just the two hours or three hours of baseball," he said. "It's the trip, the preparation, the trip home, and a long, long day. I think at my age, it's time to accept the fact that I had a great run. A great run. And I only made a few mistakes along the way."

I find this story intriguing because, when you think about it, isn't the PA announcer the most overlooked position in sports? Anyone that's ever had that fake Game 7 at-bat, pretending for a minute that they are in front of a full stadium of fans, bases loaded, two outs and bottom of the ninth. It's the PA announcer’s voice that announces your arrival to the plate. He's the one that sets the stage, calls your name. The PA is responsible for the echo.

Sheppard was that guy for over 50 years. He called names like DiMaggio and Mantle and Jeter. Reggie Jackson anointed him as "The Voice of God."

At least now when you hit that walk-off grand slam that echoing voice can have a name.
 

A few other awesome tidbits about Sheppard:

• In 2006, Derek Jeter requested that a recording of Sheppard's voice be used each time the shortstop is up to bat. It's still used.
   
• Sheppard has a plaque that calls him "The Voice of Yankee Stadium"
   
• His microphone is encased in Cooperstown.
   
• St. John's awards one outstanding student-athlete the Sheppard Trophy each year, one of the highest awards the university gives out.
   
• Sheppard was also the PA announcer for the New York football Giants. He never actually signed a contract, working his entire career as a handshake agreement with former Giants owner Wellington Mara.
• He has a plaque honoring him in Monument Park.
   
• In the final game at old Yankee Stadium, Sheppard recorded the starting line-up from his home that was played over the PA system.

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