Hall of Fame shortstop and later a beloved broadcaster for the New York Yankees, Phil Rizzuto is born on Sept. 25, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York.
His playing career, World Series performances, game accounts behind the mic, his nightly birthday wishes, and rush to get over the George Washington Bridge is indeed legendary.
Over in Woodhaven, Queens, part of playing at Dexter Park means performing before scouts. Such is how a teenage Phil Rizzuto gets discovered by Paul Krichell 1, who would sign quite the clutch of talent for the Yankees.
Phil Rizzuto's abilities begin drawing attention once he starts playing for Richmond Hill High School, Queens. By 18-years old, Phil is already playing semipro ball - something which never left his heart. He is known to have played briefly for the Glendale Farmers of the same borough.
On Sunday, August 4, 1935, batting second in the order, third baseman Phil Rizzuto goes 0 for 4 as his Floral Park teammates defeat the Sheridan Casey's of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
The Scooter does not sign with the Yankees until the 1937 season. Fast forward a few years, when the 1939 minor league season is over, many players from Glendale and vicinity, including Rizzuto, form a barnstorming team called the Minor League All-Stars. A crowd of 10,000 assembles at Dexter Park, where the Minor League All-Stars take both games of a twin bill against host Bushwick. 2
Phil Rizzuto would make his major league debut for the New York Yankees in the 1941 season.
1 & 2 - Baseball's Peerless Semipros; Thomas Barthel
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