Farewell Phil

Monday, Phil Rizzuto passed away at age 89. He was a class act, a true team player, and the voice of Yankees games that many of us remember fondly. His presence in the sport of baseball will be truly missed.

Phil, Brooklyn born to a working class family, stood just 5'6", yet he overcame the odds to earn a celebrated place in New York sports history. As a high school baseball standout, he was often regarded by coaches and team mates alike as having more heart than natural ability, but this son of a Brooklyn streetcar driver worked hard to gain notice. Upon a dare from his friends, Phil reluctantly agreed to try out for a spot on the Brooklyn Dodgers, only for it to end in a way that might have crushed the dreams of most men.

At just one look when Phil walked out onto the field, Brooklyn Dodgers manager Casey Stengel, called the young Rizzuto over, then summarily dismissed him from the tryout. "You're too short to play pro ball kid, why dontcha go home and try to find a shine box somewhere?", is what was rumored to have been said, followed by a callous laughter from the Dodgers staff as Phil walked away.

But Phil didn't give up, he stuck with the game, gaining a reputation as a solidly dependable player. In time his efforts paid off, and he found his way to the New York Yankees.

During his time, he never was a big numbers guy, but he was a solid team player, one who wouldn't hesitate to do what it took to help the team advance to take the lead or position for a win. How many of us baseball fans miss that nowadays? I tell ya, self-sacrifice seems to be something from a past era, and a shining example left us Monday.

I never had a chance to see him play, though it almost feels as if I did from all the stories my dad told of the Yankees during Phil's playing days. Phil got a mention in many of those stories that still make me smile when I think about them. My dad had a way of telling a story that would leave you feeling as if you were there, I guess it was his enthusiastic manner of delivery, I sure miss that.

So, farewell Phil, thanks for living a good life and giving hope to the kids of Brooklyn during your days. Though many of us with dreams of pinstripes never made it to run the bases at Yankee Stadium, you did, and somehow that was good enough, you showed it was possible to make a dream become real.

May God speed you on your journey home. If you could, say hello to the Babe, Lou, Mickey, and Roger for me when ya get up there.