New York Yankees Honor Steinbrenner And Sheppard

Friday night in the Bronx, the New York Yankees paid homage to George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard in a tearful ceremony before their game with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Sheppard, the revered public address announcer died, one Sunday, at his Long Island home; he was 99. Steinbrenner passed away early Tuesday morning at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. The Yanks long-time owner suffered a massive heart attack.

The ceremony opened with the recorded voice of Sheppard saying, “Good evening, ladies and gentleman, and welcome to Yankee Stadium.”

Red Sox great, Carl Yastrzemski once said, “You’re not in the big leagues until Bob Sheppard announces your name.”

For Steinbrenner, the Yankees put together a four-minute video tribute featuring quotes from current and former players and footage of “The Boss” celebrating pennants as well as breaking ground on the new Yankee Stadium.

Both teams lined up outside of their respective dugouts and watched the tribute on the JumboTron.

When it was over and the crowd finally calmed down, Mariano Rivera made his way to home plate where he placed two red roses wrapped in white and blue ribbon.