By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP)—Bob Sheppard, whose elegant introductions of stars from Joe DiMaggio to Derek Jeter(notes) at Yankee Stadium for more than a half century earned him the nickname “The Voice of God,” died Sunday. He was 99.

The revered public address announcer died at his Long Island home in Baldwin with his wife, Mary, at his side, the Yankees said.

Sheppard started with the Yankees in 1951 and he last worked at Yankee Stadium late in the 2007 season, when he became ill with a bronchial infection. He recorded a greeting to fans that was played at the original ballpark’s final game on Sept. 21, 2008, and his audio recording still is used to introduce Jeter before each at-bat at home by the Yankees captain.

When the team moved into new Yankee Stadium last year, it honored him by naming the media dining room after him.

While Sheppard didn’t like to give his age, a former Yankees official confirmed in 2006 that Sheppard was born Oct. 20, 1910.

Spotted here