Reaction to death of Hall of Fame shortstop Phil Rizzuto
The following are reactions on the death of Hall Fame shortstop and former New York Yankees broadcaster Phil Rizzuto, who died Tuesday:
George M. Steinbrenner, New York Yankees owner - “I guess heaven must have needed a shortstop. Phil Rizzuto’s contributions to the Yankees and the sport of baseball were immense for a period of over 50 years. He was one of the greatest Yankees of all time and a dear, close friend of mine whose loss is enormous to me and to the entire Yankee family. He epitomized the Yankee spirit—gritty and hard charging—and he wore the pinstripes proudly. While Scooter may have been smaller in size than some, he was among the tallest in his stature as a Yankee. He was a favorite of fans both as a player and later as a broadcaster. His voice and ‘Holy Cow’ will be part of baseball for as long as we play the game. No one deserved his place in the Hall of Fame more than Number 10. Our condolences to his wife, Cora, and the rest of his family.”
Yogi Berra, Hall of Fame catcher - “This is a sad day for Carmen and me. Phil was a gem, one of the greatest people I ever knew - a dear friend and great teammate. He was a heck of a player, too. When I first came up to the Yankees, he was like a big, actually small, brother to me. He’s meant an awful lot to baseball and the Yankees and has left us with a lot of wonderful memories.”
Joe Torre, New York Yankees manager - “Phil was a Hall-of-Famer both on and off the field, and when you were in his company, he made you feel like a family friend.
“Every time Scooter walked into my office, the first thing he’d say is, ‘Where’s Jeter? Where’s Jeter?’ A few minutes later I’d see the two of them giving big hugs to each other in the clubhouse. That’s the type of person Phil was, you just couldn’t figure out how such a big heart could fit inside such a small body.”
Bobby Richardson, former New York Yankees second baseman - “When I joined the Yankees at age 19, Phil became my first roommate. The train left spring training that season to head north and he shared the seat next to me. Later in Phil’s career, (Manager) Casey Stengel would sometimes pinch-hit for him late in the game, and then I would enter the game at shortstop. Can you imagine, me playing defense for Phil Rizzuto!”
“I learned so much about baseball and life from Phil. He was fun-loving off the field, and on the field he was the one person that kept the team together. He was deservedly recognized by the Hall of Fame, and it was an honor to be his teammate and friend.”
Derek Jeter, New York Yankees captain and shortstop - “Mr. Rizzuto serves as the ultimate reminder that physical stature has little bearing on the size of a person’s heart. Nothing was ever given to Phil, and he used every ounce of his ability to become one of the greatest Yankees to ever wear this uniform.”
Don Larsen, former New York Yankees pitcher - “Phil was one of the most jovial people you’d ever come across. We were teammates for a short time, but he made a lasting impression with everyone whose life intersected his. He and his wife, Cora, were a special couple, and my heart goes out to her and the rest of the Rizzuto family.”
Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Major League Baseball commissioner - “I am terribly saddened by the death of Phil Rizzuto. Phil was a unique figure who exemplified the joy of our game to millions of fans. He was an integral part of the New York Yankees throughout the 1940s and 1950s before bringing his distinctive personality and his infectious enthusiasm to the broadcast booth. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I express my deepest sympathy to his wife, Cora, his family and his legions of fans everywhere.”
Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York - “Phil Rizzuto was a Brooklyn boy, a Yankee legend, a Hall of Famer - and one of the most beloved figures in New York sports history. In the 1940s and 1950s, in a line-up filled with stars, The Scooter left his mark, defining what it means to be a great Yankee shortstop. And for another half-century, he brought his talents, class, and humor to the broadcast booth, where he came to embody the Yankee family and its great history. There will never be another - and generations of New Yorkers, young and old, will miss him, his stories, his passion for the game, and his love of the Yankees. On behalf of all New Yorkers, and baseball fans everywhere, our thoughts and prayers are with his family, especially his beloved wife, Cora, and their children.”
Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York - “I send my deepest condolences to Cora and the Rizzuto family for the loss of a truly great Yankee.”
“As a lifelong Yankee fan, Phil was one of my childhood heroes. He was also the Yankee announcer I grew up with and it was a great privilege for me later in life to become his friend.”
“He was an excellent ballplayer, superb announcer, one of the greatest bunters in the history of baseball and a truly fine person. Everyone will miss the Yankee Scooter.”
