Breaking news: Phil Rizzuto passes away
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 14, 2007 
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This from the Associated Press:
Phil Rizzuto, the Hall of Fame shortstop during the Yankees’ dynasty years and beloved by a generation of fans for exclaiming “Holy cow!” as a broadcaster, died Tuesday. He was 89.
His death was confirmed by the Yankees. Rizzuto had been in declining health for several years and was living at a nursing home in West Orange, N.J.
Rizzuto, known as “The Scooter,” played for the Yankees throughout the 1940s and ’50s and won seven World Series titles.
UPDATE, 12:16 p.m.: Here is a statement from George Steinbrenner:
“I guess heaven must have needed a shortstop. Phil Rizzuto’s contributions to the Yankees and the sport of baseball were immense for a period of over 50 years. He was one of the greatest Yankees of all time and a dear, close friend of mine whose loss is enormous to me and to the entire Yankee family. He epitomized the Yankee spirit – gritty and hard charging – and he wore the pinstripes proudly.
While Scooter may have been smaller in size than some, he was among the tallest in his stature as a Yankee. He was a favorite of fans both as a player and later as a broadcaster. His voice and “Holy Cow� will be part of baseball for as long as we play the game.
No one deserved his place in the Hall of Fame more than Number 10. Our condolences to his wife, Cora, and the rest of his family.�
Sad, very sad
Very saddened by this. We will always love you Scooter.
We’ll miss ya Scooter!
I’ll miss you Scooter, RIP.
I feel like I lost a member of my own family – sympathy and condolences to the Rizzuto family. The Scooter was one of a kind.
VERY SAD NEWS INDEED – GREAT BALL PLAYER AND A CLASS HUMAN BEING. MET HIM ONCE ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO.WE TALKED BASEBALL FOR OVER 30 MINUTES AND ALL I DID WAS ASK FOR AUTOGRAPH. WE’LL MISS YOU SCOOTER.
RIP
Rest in Peace, Scooter, and thanks for all your great work on and off the field.
The z’s are lower case.
For all of us old enough, including myself, what a joy to have grown up listening to those WPIX games on Channel 11. Scooter, Bill White and Frank Messer, nobody did it better. Scooter you may be gone, but will never be forgotten. R.I.P.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nDQHQkuv9l0
Man, very few things make me say, “Noooooooo.” but this headline was one of ‘em.
Nothing to do really but say, Rest In pEace” and change my fantasy baseball team name to “rrrrrrrargh- paper shove”
Little Phil, great Yankee, won the MVP, was at the game when he sqeezed Joe D from third.See Ya Phil someday at that Great Ballpark in the sky.
Holy Cow.
What a sad day for Yankees fans. I feel like I lost one of my grandfathers.
I remember thousands of birthday wishes, mentions of his beloved Cora, shameless plugs for Italian restaurants that sent cannolis, early trips across the GWB when the lightning came and decades of holy cows.
Thanks for being such a nice man, Scooter, and bridging the generations of Yankees fans.
I was in the Stadium when they retired Scooter’s uniform, and the cow knocked him over. Of course, that was also the day that Seaver won his 300th game, while on the White Sox. Scooter always complained to Seaver about that when they were in the booth together.
I used to love the Village Voice’s excerpts of Scooter’s monologues in the booth, which they printed as non-sequiter poetry. Hilarious.
Scooter was a man who served his nation in the US Navy, had a great career as a ballplayer and broadcaster, and raised a lovely family. He was already missed when he retired from public view, and will be even more missed now.
We’re down to Yogi and Whitey as the last two remaining big stars from the Yankee dynasty of the 40’s and 50’s.
Holy Cow! Just saw it on ESPN’s Cold Pizza. We’ll miss ya Scooter. Lets hope the Yankees can win it in 2007 for Scooter and Cory.
RIP Scooter. Met him a few times at autograph signings and he was 100% class. I wrote him a letter when I was a little kid aand he sent me 3 autograph pics. He was a great man. This is terrible.
Earliest baseball memory. My Dad’s friend bribed the parking attendant for the players parking lot and I got to shake hands with Scooter. Scooter fan for life after that.
I remember watching Rizzuto’s induction into The Hall. He went over his alloted time to talk and they were signalling him from the back to wind it up. He said something like “I seeya back there but I waited a looong time to get here and I’m gonna be talking for a while” And he did.
A sad day in Yankee land.
Sad sad news. Talk about the consummate Yankee. Guess it was hush hush he has been living in a nursing home. The end is never pretty.
Ironically, I mentioned his name here yesterday in describing my all time favorite Yankee honoring momnent being when Phil fell when presented with a Holy Cow on Phil Rizzuto day. I think we’ll be seeing that video a lot over the next few days.
I guess you can compare him to a modern day David Eckstein with his speed and undersize and bunting prowess. Much more accomplished then Eckstein, but it seems fair. I was watching that special on the Brooklyn Dodgers a few weeks ago and when a Dodger was asked about his bunting, he said he copied Phil’s style. More than that he seemed like an all around great guy. The world is a worse place now.
Rest in peace.
I feel like I’ve lost an old friend. My father met him once, and he gave him a lesson on bunting. When I was overseas, listening to Phil on Armed Forces radio was like opening a window to home. He was just a delightful presence, and hearing his schtick on a warm summer night on the car radio is one of my most pleasant memories. We’ll miss him.
I’ll miss you, Scooter, RIP.
Scooter, RIP.
You will be missed by so many more than you could possibly ever know…
REST IN PEACE
A legend, a true star. Scooter broke the rules on broadcasting and became more loved than 99% of other broadcasters. One of my friends tells of meeting him at a card show several years ago. The guy in front had a “Life” magazine from 1952 for Scooter to sign. Rizzuto looked through the magazine “Holy cow, look at the prices on these cars! Look at this movie star, was she beautiful!”
Very sad to hear. God bless him.
Love yah Scooter.
Just yesterday in a discussion about Sterling’s 500th HR call, I wondered how the Scooter would have delivered the call and if Rizzuto would be around for the next Yankee milestone. Now we know that he won’t, but I am sure he will be honored with grace tonight and for the rest of the season. I hope the Yankees include a joke about a “Huckleberry,” and a rambling story or two, because I am sure the Scooter wanted everyone to smile when they remember him.
Jeter should wear his number tonight.
RIP Scooter. You will be missed.
hey phil rizzuto, this bud’s for you!
Very sad news.
Another arm band for the Yankees this season…
God bless ya Scooter
God Bless Scooter and all his family in this trying time for them. We will be praying for all of you.
“Jeter should wear his number tonight.”
That would be so cool. I hope they allow it. What a great Yankee and great person. Truly one of a kind.
RIP Scooter
What a great man. Our lives are immeasurably better for him. My fondest memories are of listening to Phil, Frank, and Bill on the radio in the early 1970’s.
A humble and loving man, you will be missed but heaven will be that much better now.
God bless you Phil Rizzuto.
Always entertaining. A unique voice. A true Yankee. Holy cow!
On the radio people are calling in with Phil stories. ALl very touching and funny!! He was a great man, very sad day.
If you havent seen it, here’s his 30-minute HOF induction speech. (Find link in lower right.)
http://www.baseballhalloffame......rId=121257
I grew up listening to Rizzuto, White and Messer. Every time I go to the stadium, my friends and I do our version of their schtick at some point during the game. It was our little way of remembering him. Even though he hadn’t called a game in years, he will always be a part of the Yankee experience for me. Phil, you will be missed. Rest in Peace.
Everyone should have a canoli today in celebration of the Scooter’s life.
R.I.P. Phil Rizzuto
I remember reading about how he and his wife Cora came down to one of the crisis centers on the piers along the Hudson River on the west side of Manhattan right after 9/11 to help. I also remember the interview he gave where he said he and Cora saw one or both of the towers get hit and collapse and their first instinct was to go down there and help out a.s.a.p. I don’t think it was a “one and done” appearance as they helped out for several days/ weeks or came down regularly to help -quite courageous for a then 83-year old considering the physical and mental strain of the commute and situation not to mention the quality of the air, etc. Then again he was a Navyman so I’m not suprised at all.
A down to Earth salt of the Earth man who is now above the Earth getting a kick out of the Yanks giving the Red Sox -but mainly their fans- agita lol.
Hopefully Phil’s longtime partner in the Yankees WPIX/ 11 ALIVE booth Bill White can come into the YES booth one day for 3 innings, I’m not sure of his health.
Surreal that Jeter drove in the winning run last night -I hope Phil watched or heard it if he was able to.
Rest in peace No. 10. The baseball world has lost a class human being and all time Yankee. Many rememberances.
Join Hank Bauer and your other former Yankee mates in the big Yankee Stadium above.
Very Very sad, as Joe Garagiola said earlier today
“the lord has a great shortstop playing for him now”
I grew up on you and white and messer on tv and the radio side and that was priceless stuff. I will miss you
RIP Scooter
As you get older you start to appreciate some of the better things that have happened in your life. Watching and listening to The Scooter calling Yankee games is probably the biggest reason I love the game so much. My son proudly wears #10, and we have a street sign hanging over our driveway proudly telling people they are on Phil Rizzuto Drive. Since The Scooter stepped away from the microphone, watching a baseball game has never been as much fun. It takes a lot to make me cry these days, but that’s exactly what I’m doing right now.
Rizzuto from August 6, 1979, Baltimore at New York,
Ron Guidry pitching to Lee May
Fifth inning, bases empty, no outs
Orioles lead 1-0
…You know, it might,
It might sound corny.
But we have the most beautiful full moon tonight.
And the crowd,
Enjoying whatever is going on right now.
They say it might sound corny,
But to me it’s some kind of a,
Like an omen.
Both the moon and Thurman Munson,
Both ascending up into heaven.
I just can’t get it out of my mind.
I just saw that full moon,
And it just reminded me of Thurman.
And that’s it.
A very sad day for all Yankee fans. I will always remember watching the Channel 11 broadcasts with my Dad (who passed down his love of the Yanks to me), and who himself passed away a year ago today. When my Pops was in the ER, I cut the Yankee logo from my shirt and placed it on his heart as he passed.
Scooter, thank you.
Rest in Peace, Scooter. I grew up watching the television broadcasts on Channel 11 and then listening to you on the radio at night after my parents made me go to bed back when announcers would do both radio and TV.
I’m sure St. Peter has some fresh cannolis waiting for you. You’ll be dearly missed. Hopefully the current roster of huckleberrys can win a World Series in your honor.
Another one who grew up with those WPIX broadcasts. Scooter had the right approach to the ballgame — talk with your friends and, hey, there’s a ballgame going on too. Condolences to his lovely bride Cora.
Phil’s Yankeeography is on YES right now.
Perhaps one of the most unusual tributes to Phil Rizzuto’s play-by-play occurred in the song “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” by Meat Loaf. He was a true Yankee and an unforgettable person who I had the pleasure of listening to on the radio for many years.
My condolences to the Rizzuto family.
Very sad loss, Scooter will be missed by all.
Guess it was time to get across the bridge. A world of appreciation to the family of the guy who was like a surrogate uncle watching the game with me. He made growing up a Yankee fan lots of fun.
“Yanks fan in Austin,” you just hit me right here (pointing to some vague empty place inside). Thanks for that.
I logged on to see how many people would site WPIX with Messer/White/Rizzuto – a great team together all seemed like nice guys
RIP Phil Rizzuto
Seattle is only 3 games back in the loss column to Boston for the Wild Card Spot. I say this, as the Yankees will dedicate the rest of the season to Scooter and win it all. It will be sweet that Boston can watch the “dance” from a distance when they don’t even make the postseason.
Guaranteed smiles: A) Any Yankee win B) Any experience involving Scooter.
Condolences to the Rizzuto family and the Yankee family as well. We have all lost a great sportsman and broadcast friend. Those of us who grew up with the radio on under our pillows after dark will never forget the Scooter. God Bless.
The Scooter gave Yankee Baseball life for a generation of fans while in the broadcast booth.
Some of my fondest memories growing up was watching Yankee games with my mom (who was a HUGE Yankee fan) and laughing out loud at the Scooter, White and Messer. Talk about being entertained AND having fun watching baseball! It was great.
Its a shame this generation of Yankee fans are exposed to the likes of Michael Kay, John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman as “voices” of the team. Its not the same feel we had growing up listening to the Scooter. Not even close.
Also, unlike some of the “voices” of today’s Yankee announcers, Scooter never big-timed anybody. He treated everybody as if they were his friend.
I have a photo with him when I was 6 years old on my first trip to Yankee Stadium.
Years later, at a charity function we both attended, I showed him the picture. He was gracious enough to sign it and he acted as if it was the most important thing in the world. What a class act.
So many memories flood you when you hear news like this. Just a very, very sad day.
I feel like a piece of my childhood has disappeared. the yankees will be wearing #10 on their sleeves the rest of the season I bet
Thank you Phil. A piece of my childhood passed away today.
nice one, SJ
all the way around (photo, mom)
I also wish to express my condolences to Yogi. I’ve heard on the radio how he visited him often in the rehab facitity.
I grew up in the 80’s watching the Scooter and Bill White on PIX. As a kid just getting into baseball, he made the game so personal and intimate, as if we were watching a local semipro team.
He always rooted for the underdog Yankee players, especially the shortstops (even though the Yanks shortstops were all awful at that time). I’ll never forget his boostering for Alvaro Espinosa – he acted like he was an All Star. But that was part of what made him great, his love of the game and its players.
RIP Scooter.
my fondest memory was going to a game with my dad. we showed up early and passed by a long line right outside where the broadcasters sit. i asked what it was for. my dad responded: “that is for people wanting to meet the Scooter. He always takes time out for his fans.” He may not have been the greatest Yankee, but he certainly was the most appreciative.
RIP Scooter, I too grew up watching WPIX games broadcasted by Scooter and Bill White, with my father and grandfather on Sunday afternoons. Very sad day, but Holy Cow, this Bud’s for you Scooter.
God bless Scooter.
He was the guy that bridged the no-nonsense, buttoned up champions with the head groundskeeper growing tomatos in the bullpen and it all made sense. There are those silly moments like last night with the sculpture falling where a night at the stadium feels like a knights of columbus meeting and people who aren’t from the area, who didn’t grow up fans will never understand – they just see a payroll and free agents.
The Scooter was hysterically funny and as well as fatherly – In his last years I remember him commenting that Albert Belle was a young man that had a tremendous future if he could manage his temper.
And they are playing his HOF induction speech – I hope they go deeper and play his wonderful line about thanking this wonderful game that allowed him to take care of his family – it says so much about his character. I can go on and on – we all could – he truly was a member of all our families.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....izzuto.jsp
on the right hand side there are 3 video highlights from broadcasts. I am at work so can’t really watch the videos.
to the person that said jeter should (or it would be cool if he did) wear his number, it’d be nice but i don’t know if they could get all that done in one day, permission, number on the jersey, all that stuff.
“to the person that said jeter should (or it would be cool if he did) wear his number, it’d be nice but i don’t know if they could get all that done in one day, permission, number on the jersey, all that stuff.”
They just have to call Cora and the commish, probably. And the clubhouse guys could get the jersey made no problem.
Rest in peace, Scooter.
I was at his induction ceremony in Cooperstown back in 1993. His beautiful, tangent-laden, folksy story-telling speech was a thing of beauty and is one of the best pieces of oratory work I have ever heard. Poetic, beautiful, hysterical, poignant.
Just like him.
His voice was a big part of my childhood. I can’t put in words the sense of loss that comes with his passing.
Good night, Phil.
I’m sorry, that should read 1994, not 1993 for his induction speech.
One of our UHF local stations in Rochester carried the Yankees on WPIX.. to me, Phil is still the voice of Yankee baseball; I’ve never had access to regular local TV or radio coverage since.
My best Rizzuto memory is a game in which Dave LaRoche uncorked the LaLob for what must have been the first time, because Phil went absolutely nuts. Many holy cows followed by his own recollections of Rip Sewell and the eephus. RIP Phil.
I also grew up watching PIX and always credit “The Scooter” for a main reason as to why I am such a huge baseball fan today.
Back in the late ’80s, when he would annually get denied acceptance to the Hall of Fame, I had the idea to create, from scratch, a “prototype sketch” so to speak, of what Phil’s Hall of Fame Plaque would look like. (I was 14…I had a lot of time on my hands. haha). I just felt that it would be such a shame if he never got to see his Hall of Fame plaque. So, I sketched it out, wrote in the career highlights and glowing prose, made a duplicate, and sent it off to him. All I asked was that he enjoy it, and to send me back one of the sketches signed.
Sure enough, days later, I received the signed sketch, along with a handwritten letter thanking me for my hardwork on the project.
A few weeks later, the Scooter sent me a Christmas Card. no joke. Needless to say, I was shocked and incredibly happy to receive the card from my new “friend”.
A few months later, Phil was making a card show appearance. I wanted to go and thank him in person. I waited in line, and when I got up to him, I showed him the signed sketch he sent back to me and his eyes lit up. He told me he kept his copy at the desk where he signed his fan mail. He got up, took a picture w/me and we chatted for a bit. (The promoters weren’t too happy, since I wasn’t a paying customer…but Phil couldn’t have cared less!!)
A few years later, I was lucky enough to have press credentials for the Scooter’s actual Hall of Fame induction. It was such a terrific day! (and my sketch looked pretty darn close to the actual plaque!!)
RIP Phil. We will all miss you.
38,
That person was me! All the Yanks probably have to do is call the Commish and get his yes, then have the clubhouse guy put the numbers on a jersey that fits Jeter. There is still over 5 hours to gametime!
Rirruto?
he was a great yankee and the voice of my youth . its like a piece of my childhood is dead . very sad .
who could forget this gem? Forget the rissoto, the money store is where its at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDQHQkuv9l0
designatedblogger (the person i referred to crudely as “the person’)and whozat, i see that you guys are right, and i’m hoping it gets done.
#10.
RIP.
Between Phil, Mickey and the Babe (not to mention Munson), August is a sad month for Yankee legends.
migames,
thanks for posting the link. love the cheesy bluescreen effects.
CP–That is a brilliant story!
“Poet in Pinstripes”, review of a book of Scooter’s strangely poetic ramblings while broadcasting Yankee games:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/f.....A965958260
I remember a funny moment when Scooter lamented on a broadcast the fact that he had been given a round hotel room during a roadtrip to Seattle because he would “have trouble cornering Cora”.
Anyone think that statement is just great? I mean it seems like a really, really nice statement. The allusion to getting the call up to “The Bigs”, to play shortstop for them. Talking about grittiness defining a true Yankee. It was nice to read that.
CP, that’s a very special memory. I’d love to see the sketch!
Sounds like Yes is showing some things at 5pm. Yogi will be at the stadium tonight.
I doubt they would have Jeter wear #10.
Maybe he just leaves the SS postion empty when the rest of the team takes the field.
R.I.P Scooter.
The Scooter. Always my fav announcer
“Holy Cow August 14th, 2007 at 11:39 am
For all of us old enough, including myself, what a joy to have grown up listening to those WPIX games on Channel 11. Scooter, Bill White and Frank Messer, nobody did it better. Scooter you may be gone, but will never be forgotten. R.I.P.”
All I can say is ditto. I grew up listening to them. And the three would do the radio side too. They would rotate between radio and TV. When I had to go to bed I would sneak the radio on beneath my covers and listen to the rest of game.
Thanks for the memories Scooter!
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008196490
The K-Man stays ??? DANG !
we just might need the k-man next season, i don’t think trading his 50 million dollar self for some project kid is good business.
That isn’t appropriate for this thread kaj.
Scooter poetry (verbatim from his broadcasts):
* Chaos
This is very interesting.
Forget the game.
Right here.
Here’s a guy can’t see.
All right,
Gene Larkin is the NO!
Gene Larkin?
What did he do?
Base on balls.
* Forever Young
Bobby Thigpen out there.
Number thirty-seven.
That’s the guy in the Peanuts cartoon.
Pigpen.
That’s a joke.
That guy in Peanuts with Charlie Brown.
He’s always dirty.
Oh yeah.
Every day.
Orphan Annie.
You know,
She hasn’t aged in thirty-two years.
* Legs
The legs are so important.
In golf, they’re very,
People don’t realize
How important legs are in golf,
Or in baseball,
And football, definitely.
Track.
O, in track.
All-important.
Jumping.
Soccer.
Is there anything, what?
Is there anything where the legs
Are not the most important?
yeh thats true jennifer, lets not worry about the trades and the results and the e.r.a.s today. the life and passing of scooter is more important.
Found this on the web:
Rizzuto from August 6, 1979, Baltimore at New York,
Ron Guidry pitching to Lee May
“Fifth inning, bases empty, no outs
Orioles lead 1-0
…You know, it might,
It might sound corny.
But we have the most beautiful full moon tonight.
And the crowd,
Enjoying whatever is going on right now.
They say it might sound corny,
But to me it’s some kind of a,
Like an omen.
Both the moon and Thurman Munson,
Both ascending up into heaven.
I just can’t get it out of my mind.
I just saw that full moon,
And it just reminded me of Thurman.
And that’s it.�
I’ll miss every sure-fire “Holy Cow” home run call which ended up getting held up in the wind and caught…..by the second baseman.
I’ll miss every former National Leaguer the Scooter had never heard of when they came to bat.
I’ll miss every shout-out to Scooter and Anne in Florida on Tuesday nights.
I’ll miss every time he left in the 5th inning to beat
traffic home.
I’ll miss every canolli and italian restaurant recommendation in the middle of a eight-run, bases-loaded rally.
RIP Scooter. There will never, ever be another.
Exactly Jennifer.
The pennant race, trades, and any of that other stuff can wait.
Today is about the Scooter and what he has meant to all of us over the years.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=2973955
nothing comes of the Padres claim of the K-man, it is official…DOUBLE DANG !
YES and I’m sure the yesnetwork.com has a cool video tribute to Scooter. He had so many very funny moments as a broadcaster (I am too young to have seen him play but I remember listening to him on WPIX like many of you). Check out their website or turn on YES if you can.
KAJ,
Give it a rest and hijack another thread.
This is for the Scooter
kaj, you lack some serious tact.
I too have fond memories of Scooter trying to find the silver lining of the terrible Yankee teams of my youth (the 80’s). All of his quirks made watching games memorable even if the play on the field was less than spectacular.
It is indeed a sad day.
Show some respect.
OK,,,I understand that the main news is the passing of Scooter, but KAJ seems to only be giving us some info on other things going on. No need to attack, right ?
RIP Scooter. I was born in 86, so I grew up with Scooter as the main broadcaster and he’ll always be my favorite. He had such a natural ability to call a ball game. Probably because of his natural ability to play one. Condolences to his friends and family.
MattNC, thanks for posting the poetry. i saw some of it up on his wikipedia entry a little while back, but it wasn’t there when i just looked today. i think i will buy the book.
“look at him”:http://services.bostonglobe.com/mas_assets/full/rizzphs008026.jpg
In the Thicke Of it, it was ok the first time, but then he did a double post of it and it’s overkill. plus the deadline passed an hour ago…
Sorry ALL, no disrepect intended…just wanted to give some current information….Won’t happen again…
Rest in peace, Scooter. You represented the Yankees with class and great humor and made us all proud to be Yankee fans. You touched the lives of everyone who ever watched you play, heard you or were lucky enough to meet you.
Hope you’re playing some pepper with Joltin Joe and the Mick. Smile down on us as we go for #27 you huckleberry!!!
Bob – I like you idea!
I agree on childhood. I remember WPIX (I’m from NJ). I remember The Pine Tar game finshing up and prempting Scooby Doo! I seem to remember a time that he and Yogi were i nthe booth and not only did they “not know” that a game was going on…but listening to them you didn’t give a damn either!
It took me a few minutes to realize why everyone was saying “This Bud’s for you!” Even though I must have heard “As always every time a Yankee hits a home run…hey Don Mattingly! This Bud’s for you!” about a hundred times (actually 222 times but who’s counting).
I’m usually a Guinness fella but I will have a Bud tonight for our dear number #10…because in nearly 90 years he hit 38 home runs on the field…and countless others off.
And as I raise it you’ll hear “Hey Scooter…this Bud’s for you!”
A win for the Scooter.
He wouldn’t ask for more
RIP Holy Cow
Such incredibly sad news. Hearing it overwhelmed me. I know this sounds naive but I guess some part of me always thought that someone like the Scooter just had to live forever. He was such an important part of most of our childhoods, he personified love of the game, and spoke to us and for us from the broadcast booth. I’m making a failed attempt to wax poetic here but what I am really trying to say is R.I.P. SCOOTER. Gone but never forgotten…he will be sorely, sorely missed.
RIP Phil.
Thanks Pete for sharing the statement from Steinbrenner. This makes me sad.
Scooter was a great man and a great player. I just wish I was born during the time to have watched him play live. He’s a legend that I’m glad to know of his great talent and being a classy guy who was the role model for being a Yankee player. What a great player who loved the game as well as being a Yankee.
RIP guy. You will be missed.
T.J.
RIP Phil – I treasured listening to you when I grew up in NYC.
rip phil
I have never written on a blog before, but I felt compelled to thank Phil Rizzuto and his family for many wonderful years of entertainment. I don’t like the term “true Yankee” but if playing with brains and balls qualifies, then he was the truest. I am so happy that he got to see this new bunch play. I think he and Mickey and Joe and Babe would be proud of this current team. They play the game right (moving runners over, hitting cut off men, hustling, managing the game…) and that tradition continues….
Perhaps you’d prefer the word “buzz”.
I too never got to see Phil play but my summers were filled with his voice. In fact growing up in the 60’s and 70’s I had six great voices that filled my childhood Linsey Nelson, Bob Murphy and Ralph Kiner for the hated Mets and of course Phil, Bill White and Frank Messer for the Yankees. Growing up just eight blocks from the stadilum I used to see Scooter, White and Messer leaving the stadium from the players area while I was waiting for autographs after the game, I got all three to sign for me. I will never forget one time when Bill asked him “do you know my first name” referring to the fact Scooter always called him White. I remember this one funny article (I hope it was in the News) where the writer imagined a broadcast with both Rizzuto and Kiner calling the game. It was hilarious!!! Well now another part of my childhood is gone. They are building the new Yankee Stadium on the spot where I used to play little league. White moved to MLB, Kiner is only an occasional visitor in the booth. Messer, Nelson and now the Scooter are sitting in the Catbird seat with Red and Mel to see if St. Peter can hit lefthanders. Thanks to all the great voices that made growing up in the Bronx a blast