Phil Rizzutto was a proud Italian-American man who molded his Hall of Fame career on the baseball diamond and in the broadcast booth. Humble and determined, Rizzutto was not about to let anyone stand in the way of the game he adored, baseball. Not even the 'ol Professor, Casey Stengel, who once told Phil to get a shoe shine box, that he was too small to make the grade in baseball.

But Phil never gave up. He would get his shot the with New York Yankees, the greatest sports franchise ever, and would share the field with Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and other Yankee legends.

Never one to draw attention to himself, Rizzutto became a scrappy little shortstop, proficient and reliable on the field and a terror on the bases. An excellent bunter and singles spray hitter to all fields, Rizzutto would become a run scoring machine, being named the American League MVP in 1950.

He hung up his spikes during the All-Star break in 1956, having left it all out on the field. But he took his knowledge and passion for the game to the broadcast booth. Instead of making the plays, he now called them. He brought enthusiasm, energy and comic relief to the microphone, with his patented Holy Cows, Huckleberrys, canoles and shout outs to his friends and family.

Rizzutto endeared himself to legions of fans. Even if you weren't a Yankee lover, you almost had to listen to Rizzutto, even if for only an inning or so, because he was such a joy. A Saturday or Sunday afternoon just wouldn't be the same without listening to Rizzutto, Mel Allen and Red Barber do the play-by-play.

When his playing days were long over, it was frustrating to see Rizzutto passed over year after year for the Hall of Fame. Often compared to his contemporary, Pee Wee Reese, Rizzutto was finally inducted into the Hall in 1994 by the Old Timers Committee. This simpleton never bragged about his accomplishments or how many World Series rings he wore. He left that up to his teammates and fans.

When he passed away earlier this summer, I thought momentarily about his wife Cora, a woman he so adored. Like apple pie and ice cream, Rizzutto was an American tradition. Rest in Peace, Scooter.

Learn more about this author, David Skolnik.
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