Losing Rizzuto

by Jaime R on Aug 14, 2007 2:17 PM EDT in New York Yankees News

"Holy Cow" That was my first real memory of the New York Yankees. Before I knew of Reggie, Oscar Gamble, or later, Dave Winfield, I knew Phil Rizzuto. I knew that voice. As a child, when I heard "Holy Cow" I knew that meant something extraordinary was happening on that field.

I also associated him with The Money Store. Imagine that? A store that gives YOU money. Before I knew his history as a player. He was uniquely New York. A product of the city that embodied its spirit. Its heart. St. Louis had Jack Buck. Chicago had Harry Caray. We had Phil.

The YES broadcasters are sorely lacking the energy and heart Scooter brought to the old WPIX games. Rizzuto's passing highlighted that. And though Mel Allen may be considered "The Voice of the Yankees", Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto will always hold that title for me.

Rest in Peace Scooter. You can now get over that bridge to Cora.

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that sums it up for me too

before I knew what he was to the yankees historically, I knew that Holy Cow expression and his unique voice. I also knew him from the Money Store (and remembered DiMaggio was Mr Coffee)

good memories

by Greenfuzz on Aug 14, 2007 3:32 PM EDT reply actions

Well done, Jaime

I remember Scooter broadcasting and he made us laugh - sometimes at his own expense. To me he certainly qualifies as Mr. Yankee. Even though an MVP SS in his day, he marveled at the stuff Derek can do and always said it. And from all I've read over the years, he was always gracious, and never that condescending attitude toward the regular fan. The only difference between us was that he won championships with Joe D, Mickey, Yogi and Whitey. Wow. What a life!

In his chase for No. 500, ARod broke one of Mantle's records. He took one more at bat than Mickey to get there!

by mickey07 on Aug 14, 2007 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

Scooter

I think it was Mel Allen who gave him the nickname, cause he was small and fast in the field. I may be wrong, but I can never remember Mel referring to him any other way. I didn't know that WASN'T his name 'til my father told me one day. Saw him play twice, and with about 80,00 others. I can still hear the roar of those crowds, when he got a hit. I was all grown up and moved away when he started broadcasting in '56 (was it?) To me he'll always be at short. What a player! RIP, Scooter.

New Hampshire Bob

by NH Bob on Aug 14, 2007 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

A great patron for baseball

I grew up listening to the Scooter. His joy of the game was contagious. Thanks Phil for all the great memories. What a wonderful representative of the Yankees and the game of baseball. RIP.

by joek on Aug 14, 2007 6:46 PM EDT reply actions

RIP Scooter

A Great baseball man

Well this has been a strange game. I guess anyone can win, right Suzyn. Yeah John, you know I like cookies -Typical radio John+Suzyn Conversation

by goyankees on Aug 14, 2007 7:00 PM EDT reply actions

Well Said...

I used to love watching Yankee games because of the way he would call the game, it seemed like he was talking to you, instead of trying explaining the game to you and pointing out the obvious. That's what I miss the most. RIP Scooter

by Mr Farley on Aug 14, 2007 7:47 PM EDT reply actions

RIP scooter

on the video tape of my first birthday party, in july of 1982, whenever there's a lull in the conversation you can hear the yankee game on someone's radio. that's the only chance i've really ever had to hear him call a game; we left new jersey long before i was old enough to pay attention to the radio.

my dad and i were talking last night (as he sat at the stadium watching the o's game) about watching the yankees on MLB.TV, and how the local cleveland announcers were so stereotypically midwestern. first thing daddy said about them: "what a couple of huckleberries."

a true yankee, to the end. we'll miss you, scooter; they don't make 'em like you anymore...

proud of the pinstripes tradition and dedicated to the pursuit of excellence. a yankee forever.

by nyy23girl on Aug 14, 2007 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

Nicely Put

I must be about the same age as you. My earliest (and hence most intense) baseball memories are the Yankees of the late 1970s. Rizzuto, Messer, and White provided the soundtrack for those memories. I remember switching to the radio to listen when Rizzuto switched over for three innings(only to find out occasionally that he had actually skipped out and left early).

RIP Scooter.

by stusviews on Aug 15, 2007 4:38 PM EDT reply actions