[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 20 (Tuesday, March 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          HOLY COW, PHIL RIZZUTO IS GOING TO THE HALL OF FAME

                                 ______


                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 1994

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute one of New York's great 
sports heroes on his being selected for induction into the Baseball 
Hall of Fame--Phil ``Scooter'' Rizzuto. This ultimate baseball honor is 
long overdue for one of the game's all-time great defensive standouts.
  During his distinguished career, Rizzuto anchored the Yankee infield, 
playing shortstop for 10 American League Pennant winners and 8 World 
Series championship teams. During 13 years as a Yankee, from 1941-42 
and 1946-56, Rizzuto batted .273 with 38 home runs, and 562 RBI. He was 
a five-time AL All-Star, MVP of the 1951 World Series, and in 1950, his 
best year, he amassed 200 base hits for a .324 average, and was named 
the American League's Most Valuable Player.
  The ``Scooter's'' numbers at the plate may not have been record-
breaking--although there was never anyone better at laying down a 
bunt--but his glove earned him his rightful place in Cooperstown. Of 
Rizzuto's defensive skills, manager Casey Stengel once said, ``If I 
were a retired gentleman I would follow Mr. Rizzuto around every day to 
watch him work his miracles.'' Together with his counterpart on the 
rival Brooklyn Dodgers, Pee Wee Reese, Rizzuto was one of the two 
greatest shortstops of his era.
  To millions of Yankee fans, the ``Scooter'' is well-known as the 
broadcast voice of the Bronx Bombers--a role he has filled for the past 
37 years. As a broadcast announcer, Phil Rizzuto brings an entirely 
unique style to the airwaves, reflecting both his love of the game and 
his love of life. On the air, he has impressed upon new generations of 
fans the importance of the fundamentals of the game, particularly the 
nearly lost art of bunting, a subject on which he is always more than 
willing to offer his expert advice to today's Yankees. It is my hope 
that we all get to see Phil come back for another season with the 
Yankees on New York's WPIX television this year.
  My congratulations and those of the residents of New York's Third 
Congressional District go out to Phil Rizzuto. Holy Cow, Scooter, 
you're going to Cooperstown.

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