Phil Rizzuto, RIP
So Long, Scooter!
Just got word that legendary NY Yankee player and longtime Yankee broadcaster Phil Rizzuto passed away today, at age 89.
Phil was a Yankee for life, and was part of the Yankees 1940s-1950s dynasty, being part of the squad that won five consercutive World Series. Phil was the 1950 AL MVP and a five-time All-Star.
I became a Yankee fan in 1975 so my memories of The Scooter are all from his broadcasting career, sitting next to Bill White on WPIX Channel 11 in NYC and enjoying his calls of Yankee baseball! Phil has shared the booth with Mel Allen, Bobby Mercer, Tom Seaver, and many others over the decades, but the White & Rizzuto combo set the standard!
Phil finally made it into the Hall of Fame in 1994, well overdue. I always felt the HoF was just using denying Rizzuto into the Hall as an opportunity to stick it to George Stienbrenner. In any event, The Veterans Committee did the right thing and placed Phil in The Hall of Fame!
I’ll never hear anyone say ‘Holy Cow’ again and not remember The Scooter! Thanks for the memories, Mr. Rizzuto!
Also of interest:
And let’s not forget his immortal contribution to rock music in the classic Meatloaf tune, “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights”! I remember Phil telling a fun story about how Meatloaf tricked him into recording his part. They don’t make guys like that anymore — and they never will!
Scooter is one of a kind and a true Yankee icon. I confess, I am a bit choked up over this loss today!
Very sad news. He was a legend.
Thelma,
Scooter will be missed!