It is with deep sadness that the New York Yankees announce the passing of longtime public address announcer Bob Sheppard ? ?The Voice of Yankee Stadium.? Sheppard passed away this morning at his home in Baldwin, N.Y., with his wife, Mary, by his side. He was 99 years old. Born in Ridgewood, Queens, Sheppard began his tenure as Yankees public address announcer on April 17, 1951?Opening Day of Joe DiMaggio?s final season and Mickey Mantle?s Major League debut. Among the approximately 4,500 baseball games he worked over his tenure with the Yankees were an incredible 121 consecutive postseason contests (1951-2006), including 62 games in 22 World Series. ?Most men go to work, but I go to a game,? Sheppard said. ?How many men would love to do that?? In addition to his baseball duties, Sheppard was the public address voice for the football Giants for 50 seasons?from their move to Yankee Stadium in 1956 until his retirement after the 2005 season. Sheppard also served the New York Titans of the American Football League at the Polo Grounds, the New York Stars of the World Football League at Downing Stadium, the New York Cosmos (soccer) and St. John?s University basketball and football. Sheppard also handled PA duties for five Army-Navy football games in Philadelphia. Some of the events he listed as the most memorable of his incredible career were: Don Larsen?s perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series on October 8, 1956; Roger Maris? 61st home run on October 1, 1961; Reggie Jackson?s three home runs in Game 6 of the World Series on October 18, 1977; and the Giants-Colts overtime NFL Championship Game on December 28, 1958. In one of the game?s truly memorable moments, Sheppard introduced President George W. Bush before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series (on October 30) as Mr. Bush became the first sitting President to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium. At the request of Derek Jeter, a recording of Sheppard announcing his name has been played prior to each of his at-bats since Sheppard?s absence in 2007.