Like many of you, I grew up listening to the Voice of the Yankees; even on occassion announced myself in his voice as I stood at the plate for a Wiffle ball game in the back field behind our house.

However, for all the times I got chills hearing his introductions, I will remember him most for an incident that happened on my first visit to the press box at Yankee Stadium.

I was just out of college and we were in the elevator at Yankee Stadium headed to the press box. A sharp-dressed elderly gentleman asked what floor I wanted and pushed the button.

I was so impressed that the Yankees had an elevator operator, I reached into my pocket to get a tip for the guy. The men I was with stopped me. Luckily.

As we got off the elevator they said, "You don't know who that is, do you?"

I had no idea.

It was Bob Sheppard, who passed away Sunday at age 99.