On this date 21 years ago, Yankees fan favorite Phil Rizzuto was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee for induction on July 31st. Rizzuto had a very good career with the Yankees both on the field and in the broadcast booth. A career .273 hitter, with 1,588 hits, and 38 home runs, Rizzuto would not only help lead the Yankees to the 1950 World Series title, he would also win the MVP award that season by beating out fellow teammates Yogi Berra and Joe Dimaggio.
Thanks to Ballantine Beer, who took notice of an audition tape Rizzuto submitted to the Baltimore Orioles after his playing career ended in 1956, they insisted the Yankees hire Rizzuto as an announcer for the 1957. The rest as we know it, was history. Rizzuto would go on to be the color commentator for the Yankees for 40 years, surpassing another Yankees legend, Mel Allen. Below are some of Rizzuto’s most famous calls. Enjoy!
Derek Jeter‘s first MLB home run
Roger Maris‘ 61st Home Run in 1961
Phil Rizzuto’s Hall of Fame Speech
