RonJonSurfer Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Former Yankees SS Phil Rizzuto dead at 89 BRONX, NEW YORK (TICKER) -- Former New York Yankees shortstop and renowned baseball broadcaster Phil Rizzuto died Tuesday. He was 89. The Yankees confirmed Rizzuto's death to PA SportsTicker, although the team did not provide any further details. New York radio station WFAN reported that the Hall of Famer died early Tuesday morning. Nicknamed "The Scooter," Rizzuto helped the Yankees win seven World Series titles from 1941-1953. The diminutive Brooklyn native was a career .273 hitter in parts of 13 seasons - all with the Yankees. A five-time All-Star, Rizzuto was regarded as one of the best defensive shortstops of his time. Standing at just 5-6, he also was renowned for his bunting ability and speed. Like many players in the 1940s, Rizzuto served in the United States Navy during World War II, interrupting his career from 1943-1945. Rizzuto enjoyed his finest season in 1950, when he was named American League MVP. In 155 games that year, he batted a career-best .324 with seven home runs, 66 RBI, 200 hits, 125 runs and 12 stolen bases for the Yankees, who rolled to a four-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. After his retirement in 1956, Rizzuto began a 40-year career as a radio and television broadcaster for the Yankees. He became famous for his trademark catch phrase, "Holy Cow!" Following a long campaign, Rizzuto was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1994 by the veterans committee. Let us not forget his important role in Meatloaf's "Paradise By the Dashboard Light"!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayzor Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 "Holy cow! I think he's gonna make it!" He'll be remembered by us Meat Loaf fans forever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Laurie_ Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Holy Cow....I didn't think he was that old... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miamisammy29 Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Holy Cow, I thought he died ten years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Scooter, rest in peace. He made baseball fun and not so serious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJonSurfer Posted August 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 He loved two towns over from me and was a local icon...they named a nice park after him about 10 years ago...ironically, there is a soccer field there, no baseball. Phil was a guy I ran into 3 or more times over the years....once in a men's room (Holy cow!)..but my favorite story is: I was flying to California and the airline went on strike the day of my flight. I had to scurry around to get another flight...and so did Phil Rizzuto...the Yankees were playing Anaheim that night and he had to get there. So i did my thing, but Phil had an assistant with him and that guy did everything. Phil and I ended up on the same flight...only once he got to first class, he sat down....I moved to the rear of the plane... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Jane 61 Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 and the moral of your story is you need an assistant...where do I apply??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJonSurfer Posted August 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 You saw right through my twisted tale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miamisammy29 Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 I met the Scooter once in 1979. He was the guest speaker at our annual Little League banquet. Nice guy....too bad he was a Yankee. And then the next year, Tug McGraw was the guest. He brought some hot, half-naked slut with him (not his wife), and they were both sh*tfaced. But he was very funny and very entertaining. May they both rest in peace. HOLY COW, WHAT A SCREWGIE!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel2Velvet Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 I thought "Holy Cow!" was Harry Carey's line. I guess they both stole it from Moses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Ry 71 Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 He loved two towns over from me... ? Yeah, I think it's sad as well. I never knew him until he was dead, and now I know a lot more about him! Rest in peace, Phil (not ours, the baseball man). And aside from the Meat Loaf reference, does this really belong in "Music News"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJonSurfer Posted August 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Because of the Meatloaf reference it does belong in Music News...I take some liberties and present general pop culture news here on occasion too...but millions of people know Phil's little contribution to rock and roll.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Jane 61 Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 You saw right through my twisted tale. Twisted minds think alike! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now