Holy cow! It’s been 31 years since Phil Rizzuto had his number 10 retired and joined the other Yankee greats in Monument Park.
The Scooter was signed as an amateur free agent in 1937. After being named the Minor League Player of the Year in 1940, he played his first major league game on April 14, 1941. He took over for fan favorite Frank Crosetti, whose batting average had dropped to .194. He seemed to fit in almost immediately, forming a great defensive infield along with second baseman Joe Gordon.
His rookie season ended in a World Series with the Yankees beating the Brooklyn Dodgers. In his second Fall Classic the following season, he led all hitters with 8 hits and a .381 average but the Yanks fell to the Cardinals. Like many players from that era, he was called upon to serve his country. He joined the Navy during World War II and from 1943 to 1945, he played on a Navy baseball team which featured Dodgers shortstop Pee Wee Reese and was managed by Bill Dickey. He finished 1947 with a .969 fielding average, breaking Crosetti’s 1939 team record of .968 for a shortstop. He broke his own record the following year with a .973 mark.
Scooter’s best year was 1950 when he was named the American League’s MVP. He was moved to the leadoff spot and hit .324 with 200 hits, 7 homers, 66 RBIs, 92 walks, and scored 125 runs. He led the league in fielding percentage that season, handling 238 consecutive chances without an error which set the single season record for a shortstop. He retired in 1956.
During his 13 year Yankee tenure, he won eight World Series, was a five time All Star and AL MVP. He rejoined the team in 1957 as an announcer, and there he would stay for 40 years. Between the Minors, Majors and the booth, Rizzuto spent over six decades with the organization.
He received his plaque on August 4, 1985. Ironically, he was accidentally knocked to the ground during the ceremony by a live cow wearing a halo (a holy cow.) Scooter and the cow were unharmed.
“That big thing stepped right on my shoe and pushed me backwards, like a karate move.”
His plaque reads: A man’s size is measured by his heart. Scooter sparked Yankees to 10 pennants and 8 World Series Championships. 1950 American League MVP. 1950 Major League Player of the Year. MVP of World Series in 1951. Has enjoyed two outstanding careers: All time Yankee shortstop, one of great Yankee broadcasters. Holy cow.
He was considered by many to be the greatest shortstop to ever wear the pinstripes, that is until Derek Jeter came along. But we will always have a special place in our hearts for The Scooter.
