Bob Sheppard 1976 - Yankee Stadium Re-Opening, 4/15/1976, Pt. 3

Bob Sheppard (10/20/2010-7/11/2010), voice of Yankee Stadium for 57 seasons delivered his longest group of introductions on 4/15/1976 when the refurbished Yankee Stadium was opened. This is Part 3 of 3 videos. Written by then Yankee PR Director Marty Appel, listen to Bob introduce Bobby Richardson who delivered the invocation, Robert Merrill to sing the National Anthem, and old time Yankee Bob Shawkee, who won the first game in the original Stadium to throw out this opener's first ball.

Bob was a genuinely admirable human being and a gentleman of the old school who represented a bygone era of aspiration and dignity. The sacred eloquence that Bob's work represented and epitomized has now officially past. He was a credit to his faith, his family, his friends, and to sports. He possessed unrivaled character, integrity, courage, and class. How lucky I was to even know this exceptional man since his sterling influence on my life echoed through to my very heart and soul. I shall miss him terribly. We shall all miss the magnificent Robert Leo Sheppard.

Thank you Sheppard fans!!

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• bob sheppard
• Yankee Stadium
• Bob Shawkee
• Bobby Richardson
• Robert Merrill

[YanksAtShea]

Actually Toby Wright was the Yankees organist at this time (1971-1977) and he played a Thomas Organ. The Colonnade wasn't installed until the 1980s for Eddie who returned to the Stadium in April of 1978 (he was previously with the Yankees from 1967-1970).

The tape goes off pitch because it was over 30 years old when transferred.

[iceman112677]

i never once thought 33 years later this place wouldn't exist. always loved the dimensions 430 ft. to left center for the first 9 years. we'll never see that again as long as we live

[AbiolaAbasi]

Invocation offered. Such would never happen nowadays. This country has changed so much. Bobby Richardson mentions Jesus Christ in his prayer; this was definitely not an "ecumenical" prayer. Bob Sheppard sounded so young then!

[joedoys]

great rare yankees footage.

[dzanier]

The man with the longish grey hair at 4:34 seconds is ex-Yankee President Michael Burke. He did more to get this stadium remodelled than anyone. Had it not been for him the Stadium would0ve either stayed the same, or worse, the Yanks would've per haps moved to New Jersey like the Giants. Watching this clip makes me sad, because this stadium was history, a true Jewel, and there was nothing wrong with it. And now it's gone and been replaced by a shrine to greed and excess.

[GateStudios]

And traditionally, after every National Anthem rendition at Yankee Stadium during this time, including Robert Merrill's, you would now hear a lone note played on the Hammond Colonnade organ, courtesy of Eddie Layton, another Yankee Stadium fixture.

[VinylToVideo]

For some reason the tape goes off pitch just as Merrill starts singing; perhaps someone listened to it too many times.