Sunday sports lost one of its touchstones, as legendary public address announced Bob Sheppard passed away at age 99. Sheppard, a gentleman, was the sound of the Yankees, the Giants, St. John's, and was an instructor at St. John's for many years. Like the passing of the great Ernie Harwell earloer this year and the Phillies Harry Kalas last year, another connection to the traditional brand of baseball has been silenced. Now while many may belittle the value of a PR announcer or a broadcaster to a franchise in a google-happy and always screaming world, the value of these men when the team they worked for is viewed as a public trust as much as a brand, is indisputable.
Yes we do live in a video frenzied society, especially in sports. where highlights are delivered loud and live on every devise imaginable. However the art of the spoken word, even in today's get it done now environoment, is still just that, an art. This trio, like many others young and old, are able to paint pictures for fans who listen…millions of fans…each and every year, and in the case of baseball, each and every night during the summers of our lives. They create tremendous brand value for their employers, as they are able to deliver key messages in their own subtle way, helping to push the brand and its partners and giving tremendous added value. Why is their added value, because the fans follow, and they believe in what these men are saying. They have the buy-on unlike many others. Teams are always looking for added value for partners and sometimes the added value the classic and eloquent voice can bring to a brand, a team, a franchise and institution, is lost in the consistency it delivers. We sometimes take the voices for granted, because we think they will always be there.
When they are not, yes we move on. There are many new voices who can follow and try and deliver, both on the public address and on the airwaves. They follow, but hopefully they do not really replace. We do live in a video world, but when we lose such legends, we should contrinue to tip our hat to the voices…subtle, shaping and highly valuable. RIP to all of our recently silenced friends.
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