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September 12, 2006
Scooter Rehabbing
From The Post -
PHIL RIZZUTO always has been a battler, the little underdog who made it all the way to the Hall of Fame.
The Scooter will turn 89 later this month, and this has been a difficult year for him and Cora. Rizzuto couldn't make it to Yankee Stadium for Old-Timer's Day. He is now at a private rehab facility, trying to overcome muscle atrophy and problems with his esophagus.
Rizzuto goes for daily walks through the hallways, and takes part in therapy classes. "I feel good right now," he says.
He is friendly to everyone he meets, nurses and staff love to take their picture with him, and he still possesses the work ethic that made him a five-time All-Star.
While sitting with him on this day, Rizzuto patiently autographs about 125 poster-size pictures, part of a limited edition 500-photo collection. "I like to do that," he says.
If the name of this blog doesn't let you figure it out, I'm a Rizzuto fan.
It would be nice if the Yankees/NYC could name a street somewhere around the new Stadium after him. After Lou Gehrig, Phil was the second best "local boy" (meaning born and raised in New York) to make good with the Yankees. And, he worked in the Yankees organization for over 56 years in a row. It's not like naming a street after him would be a reach.
Maybe someone could even open a cannoli shop on the street someday? Phil would love that.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at September 12, 2006 09:59 AM
Comments
Splitting hairs here but I'd say Whitey Ford was right behind the Iron Horse. But then, Whitey's got a park named after him in Queens. I'm with you 100%, the Yankees should lobby City Hall for a street/park/square to be named after Phil Rizzuto.
Posted by: MJ ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 12, 2006 11:43 AM
Good point.
Maybe Whitey is 2A and Scooter can be 2B?
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at September 12, 2006 01:10 PM
2A and 2B sounds good to me. I grew up with Scooter's (and Bill White's) voice on WPIX/Ch.11 so I've got a real soft spot for him. I hope the Yankees are able to pull it off before it's too late. I think it would be a great way to honor a local kid from the Golden Age of the game.
PS - Steve, if you are thinking of a petition or another form of drive to raise awareness on this, I'm behind you 100% and will kick in what I need to do to get it done. It would be really cool.
Posted by: MJ at September 12, 2006 01:24 PM
What MJ said. The cannoli shop idea is brilliant.
Posted by: hopbitters at September 12, 2006 01:35 PM
Hey, write your local baseball coverage guy and point them to this entry. Here's the URL to use:
http://www.waswatching.com/archives/2006/09/scooter_rehabbi.html
We need some "mainstream" guys to start pushing the idea to get it on the political radar, etc.
You can also e-mail the Yankees with the URL, etc.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at September 12, 2006 01:50 PM
Great idea, Steve. And I'm with you MJ, growing up listening to Scooter and White. Loved it when Phil would get upset with guys not being able to bunt.
Posted by: rbj at September 12, 2006 02:10 PM
Love The Scooter, loved the PIX games, and I'm with Steve and MJ.
Posted by: brockdc at September 12, 2006 02:16 PM
rbj,
I still get ticked when bunts don't get laid down. Just yesterday I referenced that point in a comment about Kaat retiring. I'm caoching my daughter's softball team and I'm pounding it into them. Hadn't thought about it in a while, but it traces back to listening to Scooter during all those formative years. I play MSBL baseball (if you guys aren't, you ought to give it a whirl, you'll wonder why you ever stopped playing) and I won a game last week after I laid down a sac bunt that moved a lead off double to third, follwed by a timely sac fly. One hit, one run, game over. In honor of Phil. Somebody needs to get that into Robbie and Melky's heads at a young age. It'll make 'em better ball players and win us a couple of close games every year. Giambi might still be hitting .300 if he could get the defense to respect the bunt and force them out of the shift.
Posted by: #15 at September 12, 2006 06:43 PM