Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-12
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW By FRANCIS s7AAu
Twenty Cents Goes Iona Way

THERE WAS REASON to admire the doggedness and
spunk of Phil Rzzuto when he walked into the New York
Office the other day and signed for the 1856 season.
you've got shortStops," Phil quoted as telling
Manager George Weiss land I'm the best Of the lot
It's to be doubted if Weiss Casey Stengel or any
body else knows ohand how many Shortsops are on the
payroll Rzzuto probably is correct score
he's the the bunch Even at 81 of plus
And with without eyeglasses
The new" Rizzuto the who signed as he's signed
with the Yankees since 1871 apparently licking case
of eye trouble The doc doctors prescribed glasses for Phil
while back and he played best he could Now he's been
told that he longer requires specs For guy who was
considered all washed up Rizzuto sounds much like one
who has taken new lease on life s
NOT MANY MAY REALIZE it, hut Rzzuto almost be-
the manager of the Washington club You have Calvin
Grnths word for it.
S"Before gnk (Cark Griffith died. was entrusted with
the job of finding manager In ope two three order
they Chuck Dresser Rzzuo and Cal Ermer Luckily,
got Dresser and avoided complications.
As far Rizzuto concerned We were prepared to
deal with the Yankees for Phil player, Cal says I'VE
didn't figure he had seasons left as shortsop
but Rzzuo the sort of fellow who can take ball club
somewhere, playing or not"
He took the Yankees place They weren't
Yankees Of old in the World Series the Brooklyn
Dodgers finally beat em. Still they the Yankees, and
Rzzuto with without glasses, much giant as
Yogi Hank Bauer In the stretch the little guy
was all pro.
THE LATE ED BARROW, who founded the Yankee
dynasty said that the purchase of Joe DMaggo was
the best deal the Yankees had made since the Gehrg
era. Later Barrow hedged.
"DfMaggo sensation from the time he stepped
of the sandlots Barrow said. Many clubs in
teresed him. but frightened off by the report that
he had injury while playing shortstop for
the San Francisco Seals"
When the decision was made to buy DMaggio. Barrow
and others of the Yankee famiy-Co Rupert, Joe Nc
Carthy Weiss Scouts Paul Kriche, Johnny Nee Joe
Devine Gene McCann and Bill Essick-were gathered at
French Lick 1.-THE asking price for Daggo 2o0O
Barrow related "Devne had been watching quite
while and he said outstanding Essick had poked
around on his own discovered that Daggio had not
hurt his knee while playing baseball but had injured 1t
while getting out of automobile.
when Essick said to me- I think he's worth chance
and when bought him Essicks recommendation con-
sidered the deal the Yankees made in that period
JUST BEFORE HE DIED, however, Barrow had change
Of mind and heart There is only player who might
challenge that 5000 for DMag) for value received He
is Phil Rizzuto, whom got for 20 cents
was indeed 20cent shotstop Contrary to public
opinion the Yankees not originally club dedicated
strong systems. Barrow, himself was dead set
against FARMS preferrng to have scouts such as krche
Devine and others dig up the DiMaggioS.
There was school of thought, however, that tyouts
should be held in Stadium They and Rizzuto
was the very first group Barrow took look and de-
manded of Krchel "What have you been feeding these
kids?"
I'm not feeding them anything" Krichel retorted. II
did this uch-I gave each kid who showed two sand
wiehes and a bottle of milk"
In those days. Barrow figured, couple of sandwiches
and bottle of milk amounted to 20 cents And he got
2O-cen shorstop Phil Rzzuo 20-center? Don't be silly