Evening star., 1956-08-27
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAV By FRANCIS s1ANN
i Am q Yankee

THE YANKEES WITHOUT PHIL RIzzUTo? It's like
Santa Claus without whSkerS But the Scooter of
the pre-Word War II YankS, is gone the roster now
joining such Dickey Keller Henrich Ruing DiMaggio
and other giants of the era
Physically of course, Rzzuto wasn't giant Probably
he looked like batboy than any star in modern
history Even at almost 3S he has brght-eyed little boy
face Undoubtedly he still could play but the Yankees
don't need any shortsopS Phil put the finger on himself
not long ago when he said:
"I don't why the Yankees keep me- We've got the
best shortSop in baseball (Gil McDougald) lot of
depth behind him. including two three kids in the Minors
The Yankees didn't cut him loose impartialy ThereM
always be job for Scooter in the organization
planned, possibly as manager of farm club scout
In the meantime Phil is weighing broadcaSting career
Or if Chuck Dresser doesn't back, Rizzuto may
be the next manager of the Senators.
HOW GOOD A sHoRTsToP was Rizzuto? The record
books tell the story in cold print Bucky Harris told in
the words of grateful manager.
There day in 1947 I94S, while Bucky manag-
Ing the Yankees when Harris talking the New York
dugout You know" he unused, guys like DiMaggio and
Rzzuto make managing almost pleasure realized
how really great they until I got chance watch
them 154 games season, instead of only % times"
But DMaggio's batting records speak," visitor re-
marked "and you know of of his great catches"
"True," Bucky acknowledged "but not until managed
him did learn that DMag is of the great base
don't mean he steals lot like Cobb and Milan and Carey
just that when Joe from first to third
second to home Dag always 1to.1OO shot to make it."
****
"AND RIzzUTo?"
"The best shortstop I've managed" promptly
piled Harris easily the dean of all big league managers
"You had Roger Peckinpaugh at Washington during
couple of Pecks hot years. he reminded.
He all right" Bucky admitted, "but Peck never
made the plays that Rizzuto makes That little guy
only is the best managed-hes probably the best
! saw"
Once Phil participated in five double plays in single
game Another time he handled 289 chances before errng
His forte was scamperng into the outfeld for short flies
This knack enabled DMaggio and, more notably, Gene
Woodlng to play deep and the long enemy drives
when Rizzuto's legs give out" predicted veteran
Yankee, "Woodng gets his pink slip Phil makes half the
catches in left that Woodilng ought to make"
Turned out to be true.
ON THE EVE OF OPENING day last April there
occasion to visit Rzzo the Shoreham. 1t only
O'Clock in the evening but Phil in pajamas and upping
in his f-we if he going to be Mr. Yankee
again the But for the first time in IS years
he not starting.
Jerry Lumpe going to start" Phil said. Hes
goodlooking kid Maybe he doesn't throw bullets but my
doesn't, either, and Jerry is always getting piece
Of the ball"
Rizzuto recalling the time he first started for the
Yankees which happened to be opening day of l941 in
Washington II 3d." he said "and Mccarthy our
manager called aside the train ride down from New
York and said:
: You're playing tomorrow"
'Thats all he said?"
! what else there to say9" Phil asked HE said
playng-not frankie Crosetti In three words he
told l a Yankee"
IS Phil good Yankee With the Scooter at shortstop
his club played in nine World Series and bapayer gets
poor that Especially when the Yankees invariably
wind up with the high part Of the hog