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Yankees Legend Rizzuto Dies

By Greg Atwan,  Newser User

Posted Aug 14, 2007 2:02 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Phil Rizzuto, who filled the annals of the New York Yankees as both a shortstop and a broadcaster, is dead today at 89. The Scooter tended the infield for 13 years with the Bombers, alongside Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio, and took home seven World Series titles. After being cut he became one of baseball's most iconic broadcasters, thrilling fans with his trademark "Holy Cow"-laden color for 40 years.

Rizzuto, a runtish Brooklyn native, tried out for the Dodgers in the late 30s—manager Casey Stengel famously suggested he "go get a shoeshine box." Rizzuto's career didn't match up to some of his stellar teammates (he may be best remembered for having the ball kicked out of his glove by a sliding Eddie Stanky) but was finally elected to the Hall of Fame in 1994, and died its oldest living member.

Phil Rizzuto tips his cap during the Old Timers' Day ceremonies at Yankee Stadium in New York, in this July 10, 2004 file photo. Rizzuto, the Hall of Fame shortstop during the Yankees' dynasty years and beloved by a generation of fans for exclaiming Holy cow! as a broadcaster, died...
Phil Rizzuto tips his cap during the Old Timers' Day ceremonies at Yankee Stadium in New York, in this July 10, 2004 file photo. Rizzuto, the Hall of Fame shortstop during the Yankees' dynasty years and...   (Associated Press)
Yankees infielder Phil Rizzuto poses in this March, 1950 file photo. Rizzuto, the Hall of Fame shortstop during the Yankees' dynasty years and beloved by a generation of fans for exclaiming Holy cow! as a broadcaster, died Tuesday Aug. 14, 2007. He was 89.(AP Photo)
Yankees infielder Phil Rizzuto poses in this March, 1950 file photo. Rizzuto, the Hall of Fame shortstop during the Yankees' dynasty years and beloved by a generation of fans for exclaiming "Holy cow!"...   (Associated Press)
years and beloved by a generation of fans for exclaiming Holy cow! as a broadcaster, died Tuesday Aug. 14, 2007. He was 89.(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
years and beloved by a generation of fans for exclaiming "Holy cow!" as a broadcaster, died Tuesday Aug. 14, 2007. He was 89.(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)   (Associated Press)
New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra, right, accepts a light from Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto after Berra handed out cigars to celebrate the birth of his son in the Yankees clubhouse in New York, in this Sept. 25, 1951 file photo. Rizzuto, the Hall of Fame shortstop during the Yankees'...
New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra, right, accepts a light from Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto after Berra handed out cigars to celebrate the birth of his son in the Yankees clubhouse in New York, in...   (Associated Press)
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Phil Rizzuto, Poet
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MLB • New York Yankees • obituary • Baseball Hall of Fame • Mickey Mantle • Phil Rizzuto • Joe DiMaggio • baseball

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