Phil Rizzuto Biography

Philip Francis Rizzuto, nicknamed the Scooter, was an American Major League Baseball shortstop born on September 25, 1917, and passed away on August 13, 2007. He played his entire 13-year career with the New York Yankees from 1941 to 1956 and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994. Rizzuto was a key part of a Yankees dynasty that won 10 American League titles and seven World Championships during his 13 seasons with the team. His standout season came in 1950 when he was awarded the American League Most Valuable Player honor. After retiring as a player, Rizzuto spent 40 years as a radio and television sports announcer for the Yankees. There has been confusion about his birth year, stemming from his decision to reduce his age by one year at the start of his professional career. Rizzuto began his professional journey in 1937 with the minor league Bassett Furnituremakers before signing as an amateur free agent with the New York Yankees.