Phil Rizzuto
One of the most figures men in Yankees history, little Phil Rizzuto played a steady shortstop for the Bombers for 11 full seasons in a career interrupted by service in World War II. Later he became a broadcaster for the team, holding that position for four decades. In 1950 he was named Most Valuable Player in the American League. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1994.
Quotes About Rizzuto
"He does everything right. He gives you good throws, and he takes your bad ones with ease, nonchalance." — Gil McDougald
Played For
New York Yankees (1941-1956)
All-Time Rankings
Phil Rizzuto ranks #17 among the Top 50 all-time at SS. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1950
Rizzuto's .324 average was more than 50 points over his career mark. A mature ballplayer at the age of 32, he collected 200 hits and scored 125 runs while winning the MVP Award. During the season he strings together a ML record 238 chances without an error.
Factoids
When the TV show What's My Line premiered on February 2, 1950, Phil Rizzuto was the very first "mystery guest."
On August 4, 1985, when the Yankees held "Phil Rizzuto Day," the White Sox' Tom Seaver notched his 300th career win. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Rod Carew collected his 3,000th hit.
Born
Philip Francis Rizzuto was born on September 25, 1917, in Brooklyn, NY.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: SS
Primary Team: NYA
Major League Debut
April 14, 1941
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1941
Stan Musial
Phil Rizzuto
Bob Lemon
Vern Stephens
Dave Philley
Jim Hegan
Danny Murtaugh
Dick Wakefield
Virgil Trucks
Nicknames
Scooter
Rizzuto seemed to "scoot" across the infield.
Similar Players
Omar Vizquel
Related Players
Pee Wee Reese, Jerry Priddy, Yogi Berra
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1962 |
BBWAA |
44 |
27.5% |
1964 |
BBWAA |
45 |
22.4% |
1964 |
Run Off |
11 |
4.9% |
1966 |
BBWAA |
54 |
17.9% |
1967 |
BBWAA |
71 |
24.3% |
1967 |
Run Off |
14 |
4.6% |
1968 |
BBWAA |
74 |
26.1% |
1969 |
BBWAA |
78 |
22.9% |
1970 |
BBWAA |
79 |
26.3% |
1971 |
BBWAA |
92 |
25.6% |
1972 |
BBWAA |
103 |
26.0% |
1973 |
BBWAA |
111 |
29.2% |
1974 |
BBWAA |
111 |
30.4% |
1975 |
BBWAA |
117 |
32.3% |
1976 |
BBWAA |
149 |
38.4% |
1994 |
Veterans |
|
% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1941 World Series
1942 World Series
1947 World Series
1949 World Series
1950 World Series
1951 World Series
1952 World Series
1953 World Series
1955 World Series
Awards and Honors
1950 AL MVP
All-Star Selections
1942 AL
1950 AL
1951 AL
1952 AL
1953 AL
Replaced
Frankie Crosetti
Replaced By
Billy Hunter, briefly, and then Gil McDougald.
Best Strength as a Player
His baseball instincts.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Extra-base power.
Learn More about Phil Rizzuto
Search Amazon.com for Books about Phil Rizzuto ⇒
Search for Phil Rizzuto at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
