Phil Rizzuto 1917-2007

The ultimate bridge of eras in New York Yankees history, let alone Major League Baseball history, “The Scooter” Phil Rizzuto passed away today at the age of 89. Scooter saw Ruth play, played with Dimaggio and Mantle, got to broadcast Murcer, Munson, Jackson, Guidry, Matttingly, and Jeter. He even got trampled by his own HOLY COW when his number was retired at Yankee Stadium. The man who had the best seat in the house and brought the game into our homes and our hearts now goes to the eternal Hall of Fame, not just the one in Cooperstown.

As a younger Yankee fan, I can only recall his days in the booth, joking around with Bobby Murcer and Tom Seaver, among others – telling you about a local bakery sending him cannolis or a dinner he had at a local restaurant. I remember how he would go home to beat the traffic over the George Washington Bridge, like most fans do. He broadcasted games the way a fan would if they were thrown in there and told to do the game. And for that, Scooter, thanks for the memories.