Jim Hall (announcer)
Jim Hall (May 30, 1933 – June 12, 2017)
Career
Hall served as spotter and understudy to legendary New York Yankees and Giants PA announcer Bob Sheppard from the opening of Giants Stadium in 1976 until the beginning of the 2006 season, when he replaced the retiring Sheppard as principal announcer. He held that position until the end of the 2015 season.
Hall met Sheppard when he was in high school, as Sheppard would judge Hall in speech and debate events. Hall, like Sheppard, taught in high school and at
Hall also served as Sheppard's understudy at
Hall's voice was quite similar to Bob Sheppard's. When he filled in for Sheppard, visiting teams and media often did not know that Sheppard was not announcing. This was purposeful, as Hall has said Sheppard asked him to speak in his same style and cadence so as not to distract the fans.[2]
Hall died on June 12, 2017, at the age of 84.[4]
References
- ^ "Public address Archives".
- ^ a b Barron, James (September 4, 2008). "A Yankees announcer gets a chance to start". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ^ Curry, Jack (April 2, 2009). "Voice of Yankee Stadium May Be Done". New York Times.
- ^ "James Hall, former Yankees, Giants public address announcer, dies".