The Post’s Steve Serby chatted with Bob Sheppard, entering his 55th season as Yankee Stadium public-address announcer:
Q: Your first Opening Day as a child?
A: I was never at an Opening Day as a child. I might have been 12 or 13 and I was at Ebbets Field or Yankee Stadium and totally in awe. Of course, it was in the bleachers and the vista was incomparable in my imagination and reality.
Q: You were a left-handed-hitting first baseman and your idol was George Sisler.
A: I never saw him play, but I used to read about him. Another first baseman who was an idol was Bill Terry. He, too, was left-handed. And, of course, Lou Gehrig. And Don Mattingly.
Q: Your first Opening Day (1951) as Yankee announcer?
A: Johnny Mize at first. Jerry Coleman at second. Phil Rizzuto was the shortstop. Bill Johnson, I think, was third baseman. In left field it was a football player named Jackie Jensen. Joe DiMaggio in center field. Mickey Mantle was the right fielder. Yogi Berra was the catcher. Vic Raschi opened the season and we beat the Red Sox.
And the first person I ever introduced was Dom DiMaggio, leading off for the Red Sox.
Q: What was that day like for you?
A: A lot of stress. I had done football with the Brooklyn Dodgers in Ebbets Field, but I had never done major league baseball.
Q: Five favorite Yankee moments.
A: Don Larsen’s perfect game. Roger Maris’ 61st home run, which inspired a four-line poem:
They’ve been pitching me low, they’ve been pitching me high,
I’ve grown so nervous, tense and pallid,
But my prayers are full of joy tonight,
Thank you Lord for Tracy Stallard.
Reggie’s three in a row (in the 1977 World Series). Chris Chambliss’ home run against the Kansas City Royals.
I can’t think of another one. In football, when Pat Summerall kicked a field goal in the snow against the Cleveland Browns.
Q: Most devastating Yankee defeat?
A: Last year.
Q: Is it hard to believe the Red Sox finally reversed the curse?
A: It is still hard to believe when you have a three-game advantage and you don’t win it. But that’s the game. It was time for the Red Sox to win. Life should not be – forgive me, George Steinbrenner – all Yankee victories. If I’m fired for saying that, I’ll blame you and you’ll support me for the rest of my life (laughs). I don’t own the ballclub, but I’ve been with the club longer than (Steinbrenner), and if I can accept the defeat, he can accept the defeat.
Q: Joe DiMaggio was the most – – – – Yankee?
A: Gifted.
Q: Mickey Mantle?
A: Dynamic.
Q: Yogi Berra?
A: Underrrated.
Q: Whitey Ford?
A: Professional.
Q: Lou Gehrig?
A: Determined.
Q: Reggie Jackson?
A: Intriguing (laughs).
Q: Babe Ruth?
A: Incomparable.
Q: Billy Martin?
A: Explosive.
Q: Casey Stengel?
A: Indescribable.
Q: Joe Torre is the most – – – – Yankee?
A: Judicious.
Q: Derek Jeter?
A: Admirable.
Q: Mariano Rivera?
A: Dependable.
Q: Are there similarities between DiMaggio and Jeter?
A: None. Joe was a stoic. A machine. Joe was carved out of stone. Imbued with a ton of talent, but there didn’t seem to be evident the spark of humanity in him that you find in Jeter. Somebody once said if he wanted to create the perfect ballplayer he would create Joe DiMaggio. If you could make a machine who’s a center fielder or a center fielder from a machine, it would probably be Joe DiMaggio. But he was not colorful. Jeter has a warm, colorful personality.
Q: How do you feel when people call you The Voice of God?
A: A slight exaggeration. I don’t know who coined that. Somebody ascribed it to Rusty Staub.
Q: I thought it was Reggie Jackson.
A: I think he popularized it. By the way, I deny that it’s The Voice of God with all humility (chuckles). I would rather be known as a competent, warm, capable teacher of speech than as the best p.a. announcer in baseball. To me, the classroom is far more important than the ballpark.
Q: What is your secret to longevity?
A: I don’t smoke. I exercise regularly. I don’t overeat. I don’t overdrink. And I studied speech and voice all my life. It’s a very good job, but not for a man to raise a family or to make a living. Public address is not a profession. Public address is a part-time assignment.
Q: Someone once recognized your voice when you ordered a scotch and soda. How often does that happen?
A: Once in a while. We spent the winter in Jupiter, Fla. We go to Mass at St. Jude’s Church every morning. Many times I’m the lector. The lector reads the Scripture during Mass. I’m not introduced as Bob Sheppard. Before (wife) Mary and I leave the church, many times people come up to me and say, “You sound like the man at Yankee Stadium.” I’ll say, “I am!” Or, “You have excellent hearing!”
Q: Your style is almost extinct.
A: A p.a. announcer is not a cheerleader, or a circus barker, or a hometown screecher. He’s a reporter. He’s not there to stir up the crowd.
Q: Favorite announcers?
A: Ernie Harwell was good. A fellow from Baltimore who died recently, Chuck Thompson – what a voice! Vin Scully – outstanding.
Q: Best hitter you ever saw.
A: Statistically, Ted Williams.
Q: Best pitcher you ever saw.
A: For one year (1978), Ron Guidry (25-3).
Q: Favorite Yankee team?
A: How can I remember 55 teams?
Q: Who would you want to play you in a movie?
A: Alistaire Cooke.
Q: Who should play George Steinbrenner?
A: Edward Arnold, or Jason Robards. But since he’s my boss, I would also say Cary Grant (chuckles).
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. Mother Teresa. And Myron Cohen, an old-time storyteller, for levity.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: A Man For All Seasons.
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Alec Guinness.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Maureen O’Hara.
Q: Favorite singer?
A: Sinatra.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Filet mignon, baked potato, creamed spinach.
Q: One person in history you would like to meet?
A: Jesus Christ, because He’s my Redeemer and Savior.