Holy cow, we lose a true legend

[casty33]

I just heard a TV report that Phil Rizzuto has died after a long illness.

RIP to one of the funniest men I ever met.

I'll try to confirm and find out more.

 

[slappy4428]

damn...

 

[Duane Postum]

RIP Phil Rizzuto

heard on ESPN radio.

 

[Flash]

That was quick ... his wiki entry has already been updated with his death.

 

[wireguy]

they're talking to joe Garagiola now on WFAN. Last year I picked up his book, "O Holy Cow, the selected verse of Phil Rizzuto.

 

[Flash]

Uploaded six minutes ago ...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20263214/

WNBC-TV
Updated: 8 minutes ago

NEW YORK - Hall of Fame New York Yankees shortstop and longtime broadcaster Phil Rizzuto passed away at the age of 89 on Tuesday.

Rizzuto, nicknamed "Scooter", played 13 seasons with the New York Yankees, going to the playoffs in 10 of them.

Known primarily for his fielding, Rizzuto won the 1950 A.L. MVP after hitting .324 with 200 hits and 125 runs scored.

 

[melock]

How sad. I used to watch the Yankees when I was a kid only because Rizzuto was on the broadcast. An absolutely hilariousm, down-to-earth legend.

 

[shockey]

r.i.p., scooter, thanks for the memories. i'm sure there's a wonderful italian pastry shop in heaven. 8) :D 8)

 

[alleyallen]

Sad news. RIP Scooter.

Kind of odd timing, but just a couple of days ago, ESPN replayed Scooter getting knocked over by the cow during Rizzuto Day at the Stadium.

 

[heyabbott]

Ok, here we go, we got a real pressure cooker
going here, two down, nobody on, no score,
bottom of the ninth, there's the wind-up and
there it is, a line shot up the middle, look
at him go. This boy can really fly!
He's rounding first and really turning it on
now, he's not letting up at all, he's gonna
try for second; the ball is bobbled out in center,
and here comes the throw, and what a throw!
He's gonna slide in head first, here he comes, he's out!
No, wait, safe--safe at second base, this kid really
makes things happen out there.
Batter steps up to the plate, here's the pitch--
he's going, and what a jump he's got, he's trying
for third, here's the throw, it's in the dirt--
safe at third! Holy cow, stolen base!
He's taking a pretty big lead out there, almost
daring him to try and pick him off. The pitcher
glance over, winds up, and it's bunted, bunted
down the third base line, the suicide squeeze in on!
Here he comes, squeeze play, it's gonna be close,
here's the throw, there's the play at the plate,
holy cow, I think he's gonna make it!

 

[Hustle]

Back when I was a kid, we'd get WPIX and Yankees games on our regular channel lineup. I didn't much care for the Yankees, but it was always a joy to listen to Scooter. Or maybe it was those incessant commercials for The Money Store.

At any rate, RIP to a legend.

 

[wireguy]

you mean this one:

 

[Hustle]

Precisely.

 

[imjustagirl2]

RIP to a man I was never lucky enough to hear in regularity, but a legend on all levels.

 

[mike311gd]

Growing up in New York state in the late 80s-early 90s, if you ever turned on a Yankees game, you were in store for a few good stories. He was well past his prime when he retired, but he was always a good listen.

 

[Dyno]

So sad...about 8 years ago, I was in a restaurant in NYC and saw Phil and his wife, Cora at a nearby booth. I've never done it before or since, because I hate the idea of bothering people when they're out, but I walked over to their table and said hi. They were so gracious and so nice. I felt bad for interrupting them, but I'm glad I got to meet him. RIP Scooter.

 

[In Exile]

I will never forget the time he told Bill White about the dream he had in which he was swallowing door knobs.

White almost died.

Rizzuto was one of the really good guys around, a real ambassador for the game of baseball.

 

[The Big Ragu]

This one really hit me just now. It's like losing someone you grew up with. Someone mentioned the book of "selected verses." That whole thing started in the 80s when the Village Voice began running his words verbatim as poems. It was pretty funny.

In honor of the Scooter, I give you the poetry of Phil Rizzuto:

Asylum

Got some chocolate-chip cookies here
Murcer.
So don't ask me any questions
For a batter or so.
All right?

June 17 1992
New York at Boston
Roger Clemens pitching to Mel Hall
Sixth inning, two outs, bases empty
Red Sox lead 2-1

RIP!

 

[In Exile]

One more thing - he is also one of the few people I ever asked for an autograph. In an old old copy of Coronet magazine from the '50s, I found an ad for - I kid you not - "Scooter" shorts, Phil Rizzuto endorsed boxer shorts, decorated with silhouettes of a ballplayer. The ad had a picture of Rizzuto and the quote "I've never worn anything so comfortable!"

I made a copy of the ad, gave it to Rizzuto. He gave me a "Holy cow where in the world did you find that? and signed a copy for me.

Been on my wall ever since.

FYI, his Hall of Fame speech - which is hysterical - is reprinted in the yankee anthology Top of the Heap.

 

[casty33]

Every time you take a bite of a cannoli, you should think of Rizzuto, the originator of the symbol WW on his scoresheet.

(It stands for wasn't watching)