Scooter is downsizing in preparation for a move from the family's longtime house in Hillside, N.J., to a smaller home and in doing so, is placing many pieces of memorabilia up for auction sometime later this summer.

Among the items are several World Series rings, a Christmas card from Mickey Mantle and a 56-year-old Yankees cap that is worn, dusty and has a piece of gum still stuck to the top.

The article describes Rizzuto as "looking elegant but slightly frail and family members said that he has his good days and his bad days". The 88-year-old, who is the oldest living Hall-of-Famer, had a 40-year Yankees broadcasting career that ended in 1996. In the story, he passes along one of his favorite moments from his playing career, showing that the man can still spin a yarn when he wants to.

Patricia (Rizzuto's daughter) recalled Phil's answer to a reporter who asked what he'd like to be remembered for.

"My father said, 'I want to be remembered as a nice guy,"' she said.

And he always will be. Phil Rizzuto. 7-Time World Series Winner. 5-Time All-Star. 1950 AL MVP. Class Act. Nice Guy.

Here are some quotes from his announcing days to take us out.


Rizzuto's most signifcant moments as a broadcaster were the new single-season home run record set by Roger Maris on October 1, 1961, which he called on WCBS radio:
* "Here's the windup, fastball, hit deep to right, this could be it! Way back there! Holy cow, he did it! Sixty-one for Maris! And look at the fight for that ball out there! Holy cow, what a shot! Another standing ovation for Maris, and they're still fighting for that ball out there, climbing over each other's backs. One of the greatest sights I've ever seen here at Yankee Stadium!"

and the pennant-winning home run hit by Chris Chambliss in the American League Championship Series on October 14, 1976, which Rizzuto voiced live on WPIX television:
* "He hits one deep to right-center! That ball is out of here! The Yankees win the pennant! Holy cow, Chris Chambliss on one swing!" [As fans poured onto the field, tearing it up for souvenirs] "And the Yankees win the pennant. Unbelievable, what a finish! As dramatic a finish as you'd ever want to see! And this field will never be the same, but the Yankees have won it in the bottom of the 9th, seven to six!"

Occasionally in his sportscasting career, Rizzuto's excitement would get the better of him:
* "Uh-oh, deep to left-center, nobody's gonna get that one! Holy cow, somebody got it!"
* "All right! Stay fair! No, it won't stay fair. Good thing it didn't stay fair, or I think he would've caught it!"
* "Bouncer to third, they'll never get him! No, why don't I just shut up!"
* "Oh, these Yankees can get the clutch hits, Murcer. I might have to go home early, I just got a cramp in my leg."

Be well, Scooter.