I'm gonna miss Scooter.

Phil Rizzuto died today. Former Yankee Shortstop, Hall of Fame Broadcaster and true New York character.

There's a really nice tribute on the Yankee webiste complete with pictures, audio, reactions and great Scooter stories. I urge you to check it out.

While you're at it, check out this commercial, it pretty much shows him how I remember him the best.

Nobody sounded like Scooter in the booth. He was just NUTS! But he was also smart and sweet and a true company man. I feel so lucky that we used to get some of the Yankee games on Buffalo TV when I was kid. He's a big part of why I love baseball today, I'm sure. In 1993 Tom Peyer and Hart Seely put out a book called "Oh Holy Cow: The Selected Verse of Phil Rizzuto". The book features portions of Scooter's stream of conscience broadcasts in the form of poetry. It is, quite possibly, the greatest thing on my bookshelf. Some of my favourites:

ALIENATION

I think my head shrinks a little
In this indoor stadium.

I am...

The mike is getting bigger.
And I have to tighten it.

- May 2, 1987
New York at Minnesota
Tommy John pitching to Al Newman
Third inning, two outs, two base runners
Yankees lead 3-2



TO BE ALONE

Hey White
You know where your loyalties are?

Right here.
The old pinstripes.

No.

You never wore them.
So you have a right to sing the blues.

- May 12, 1987
New York at Chicago
Bill Long pitching to Dan Pasqua
Second inning, no outs, bases empty
White Sox lead 1-0



THE INDELIBLE SMELL

What kind is it?
Ohhhhh!
Pepperoni!
Holy Cow!
What happened?
Base hit!
A little disconcerting,
Smelling that pizza,
And trying
To do a ball game.

- August 19, 1992
Oakland at New York
Mike Moore pitching to Charlie Hayes
Sixth inning, one out, bases empty
Yankees lead 4-1


THE MAN IN THE MOON

The Yankees have had a traumatic four days.
Actually five days.
That terrible crash with Thurman Munson.
To go through all that agony,
And then today,
You and I along with the rest of the team
Flew to Canton for the services,
And the family...
Very upset,

You know, it might,
It might sound a little corny.
But we have the most beautiful full moon tonight.
And the crowd,
Enjoying whatever is going on right now.
They say it might sound corny,
But to me it's some kind of a,
Like an omen.

Both the moon and Thurman Munson,
Both ascending up into heaven.
I just can't get that out of my mind.
I just saw that full moon,
And it just reminded me of Thurman.
And that's it.

- August 6, 1979
Baltimore at New York
Ron Guidry pitching to Lee May
Fifth inning, bases empty, no outs
Orioles lead 1-0