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A Close Encounter With Phil Rizzuto By Neil S. Friedman As the YES Network celebrated the life of Yankee shortstop and broadcaster Phil Rizzuto, who died Monday night at age 89, throughout Tuesday night's game, I recalled meeting "The Scooter" thirty years ago. The Yankees used to sponsor a Brooklyn Night every summer that provided free tickets so underprivileged city youths could attend an annual game, which, in 1977, was held on July 7. Courier photographer Don Halasy and I took the subway to Yankee Stadium to cover the event. Before the pre-game ceremony, we were escorted to the clubhouse where players were preparing for the game against the Cleveland Indians. As a lifelong fan, I was awestruck being in the Yankees' locker room and seeing Thurman Munson, Craig Nettles, Lou Pinella and slugger Reggie Jackson, who joined the team earlier that season and was embroiled in a feud with manager Billy Martin. As I soaked in the atmosphere, Rizzuto, a five-time All-Star who had been part of some of the Yankees' greatest teams during his 13-year career before becoming a broadcaster, walked in and made the rounds with several players. As he approached, I boldly put out my hand and introduced Halasy and myself as journalists from the Canarsie Courier. Rizzuto, a native of Brooklyn, shook our hands and, in typical fashion, turned to broadcast partner Bill White and said, "Hey, White, these huckleberries are from Brooklyn." I heartily laughed and felt privileged to be designated with the trademark Rizzuto epithet. The encounter was fleeting, but the lasting memory was rekindled when I heard the beloved Yankee great had died. Principal Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner fittingly said Tuesday, "Heaven must have needed a shortstop."
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