Notebook | Illness keeps Sheppard out of All-Star Game

One of the great joys of going to Yankee Stadium is hearing the distinguished voice of legendary public-address announcer Bob Sheppard, who has been introducing players there for 57 years.

But Sheppard, who is 97, has been ill much of this season and won't be well enough to work the All-Star Game in New York on Tuesday.

"I am not going to be physically able to perform my duties during the All-Star festivities," Sheppard told the Newark Star-Ledger.

Jim Hall, Sheppard's replacement this season, will fill in during the final All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, which will be replaced next year.

Sheppard, however, hopes to do at least one more game before the place shuts down for good. Before falling ill, he had worked virtually every home game since his debut on April 17, 1951 — which was also Mickey Mantle's first game.

"After 57 years of doing every game at Yankee Stadium, it is deeply disappointing," Sheppard told the newspaper. "But I have no control over my well-being. I have faith that God will get me back to the ballpark whenever he's ready for me to get back."

Sheppard will indeed be heard on Tuesday. All season, Derek Jeter has been introduced, at his own request, by a tape of Sheppard announcing his name.

Notes and quotes

• The Brewers' successful pursuit of CC Sabathia was jump-started when David Riske, a former Cleveland teammate, recommended Sabathia to Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin several weeks ago.

"I just told Doug that he's a great person, obviously a great pitcher," said Riske, who graduated from Renton's Lindbergh High School. "He's very intimidating and has overpowering stuff."

• One reason the A's may have traded Rich Harden is concern over the fact that his fastball was down 4 to 5 mph over his last two starts with Oakland.

Considering that Harden has been on the disabled list six times in the past four years, they were rightly concerned that he could get hurt again, with the A's getting nothing for him.

The Cubs were well aware of Harden's health issues, which is why they insisted that Chad Gaudin be included in the deal.

• Some players are concerned that the Home Run Derby will mess up their swing, but not Philadelphia's Chase Utley, who will take part on Monday.

"It's one day of batting practice," he said. "I take plenty of bad batting practice."

• The Mets' hot streak has thrust them right back into the NL East race.

"The season is like a game in [Philadelphia's] Citizens Bank Park," closer Billy Wagner said. "No lead is safe."