Phillip Francis Rizzuto (1917 - 2007)

Born 25 Sep 1917 in Brooklyn, New York, United States

Husband of Cora Anne (Esselborn) Rizzuto — married 23 Jun 1943 in Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Died 13 Aug 2007 at age 89 in West Orange, New Jersey

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Biography

Phil Rizzuto is Notable.

Philip Francis "Phil" Rizzuto, nicknamed "The Scooter" by a fellow minor league player in honor of the way he scooted around the bases, was an American Major League Baseball shortstop. He spent his entire 13-year baseball career with the New York Yankees (1941–1956), and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994.

Phillip was born to Fiori (Phillip) Rizzuto and Rosario Angotti Rizzuto. Rosario was born in Italy and immigrated to the US in 1901. Phillip the eldest son and was one of 5 children: three older sisters, one of whom died in infancy and one younger brother. Phil was always small in stature and was never thought to be able to play on the professional baseball level. But his quick hands made him invaluable as a short stop turning double plays and making a sure base hit an out.

Phil was signed to an amateur contract by the New York Yankees in 1937 and he played in the minor leagues for several seasons. He was named the minor league player of the year in 1940 and made his professional debut in April, 1941. He solidified the Yankee's infield at shortstop until his retirement in August, 1956.

Like many Americans, Phil joined the Navy and served through World War II. Initially he was assigned to the Naval Training Center in Norfolk, VA and it was there that he married Cora Esselborn June 1943^[1]. He later served as a lead gunner on a battle ship in the Pacific, but illness caused him to be reassigned to organize sports programs for the servicemen.

Phil and Cora had four children, Patricia, Cynthia, Penny and Phillip.

During his playing days, Phil was a 5 time All-Star, a 7 time World Series Champion, and the American League's Most Valuable Player in 1950. He was one of the best short stops in his era.

In 1956 when the Yankees released Phil to make room for veteran player Enos "Country" Slaughter, Phil began a successful career as a broadcaster for the Yankees, teaming up with legendary radio personalities Red Barber and Mel Allen. Phil spent the next 40 years in the broadcast booth. His "Holy Cow" call after a home run or great play became his trademark. When he retired from the booth in 1996, the 79 year old Phil had been with the Yankee organization for 53 years - more than anyone before or since.

Phil died in his sleep in August, 2007^[2][3] after several years of declining health.

Census Records

In the 1920 census Philipp (age 2) was the son of Phillip Rizzuto in Queens, New York City, New York, United States.^[4]

In the 1930 census Phillip (age 12) was the son of Phillip Rizzuto in Queens (Districts 0501-0750), Queens, New York, United States.^[5]

In the 1940 census Philip (age 22) was the single son of Philip Rizzuto in Assembly District 6, Queens, New York City, Queens, New York, United States.^[6]

In the 1950 census Philip (age 30), Ball Player, was the married head of household in Hillside, Union, New Jersey, United States.^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ "Virginia, Marriage Certificates, 1936-1988", citing Norfolk, , Virginia, United States, certificate 14401, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, FamilySearch Record: QV1M-1MMB (accessed 8 July 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9TT-Q9QF-F Image number 00254, Philip Francis Rizzuto (24) marriage to Cora Anne Esselborn (23) on 23 Jun 1943 in Norfolk, Virginia, United States.
2. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index", citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing), FamilySearch Record: VSQD-9YF (accessed 8 July 2023), Philip Francis Rizzuto death 13 Aug 2007 (born 25 Sep 1917) residing in Union, New jersey.
3. ↑ "United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, Births, and Marriages 1980-2014", citing Newsday, born-digital text, FamilySearch Record: QVT4-KKYL (accessed 8 July 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9YN-KSFF-P Image number 01449, Name: Mr Phil Rizzuto; Obituary Date: 15 Aug 2007; Obituary Place: Long Island, New York, United States; Birth Date: 1917; Death Date: 25 Aug 2007; Residence Date: 14 Aug 2007; Residence Place: Yankee Fans; Occupation: Shortstop; Age: 90; Is Principal: True; Source Newspaper: Newsday; Record Quality: Fails RK confidence eval; Event Type: Obituary.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1920", citing Affiliate Publication Number: T625; Affiliate Film Number: 1237; Line: 38; FHL microfilm: 1821237; Record number: 5395, FamilySearch Record: MVMD-LJB (accessed 8 July 2023) FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRXX-PY Image number 00118, Philipp Rizzuto (2), single son, in household of Phillip Rizzuto (29) in Queens, New York City, New York, United States. Born in New York.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1930", citing enumeration district (ED) ED 632, sheet 14B, line 57, family 329, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1612; FHL microfilm 2,341,346, FamilySearch Record: X45G-4KW (accessed 8 July 2023) FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRZL-ZWP Image number 00372, Phillip Rizzuto (12), single son, in household of Phillip Rizzuto (38) in Queens (Districts 0501-0750), Queens, New York, United States. Born in New York.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1940", citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 30, FamilySearch Record: KQPC-BFR (accessed 8 July 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L9MB-M6Z7, Philip Rizzuto (22), single son, in household of Philip Rizzuto (48) in Assembly District 6, Queens, New York City, Queens, New York, United States. Born in New York.
7. ↑ "United States 1950 Census", citing Page: 73; Line: 5, FamilySearch Record: 6F9P-Y48Y (accessed 8 July 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3QHN-GQHW-G32G, Philip Rizzuto (30), married, Ball Player, head of household in Hillside, Union, New Jersey, United States. Born in New York.

See Also:

• Wikidata: Item Q1030203, en:Wikipedia
• [http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/ae85268a Society for Baseball Research - Phil Rizzuto by Lawrence Baldassaro -
• Full Resource of every card appearance, lots of stats, commentary etc can be found on his individual page of the trading card database:
• https://www.tcdb.com/Person.cfm/pid/4964/Phil-Rizzuto
• Find a Grave (has image), Find A Grave: Memorial #20936490 (accessed 8 July 2023), Memorial page for Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto (25 Sep 1917-13 Aug 2007); Maintained by Find a Grave.