26cd Scooter on air at Mick's funeral [Archive] - NYYFans.com Forum
PDA

View Full Version : Scooter on air at Mick's funeral


Jersey Yankee
08-18-02, 05:43 AM
I only remember that there was some "order" or "expectation of him that he be on the air, rather than paying his final respects to the Mick. Does anyone know why he was expected to be on the air that day?

Thx. :)

Brad
Slippery Elm
08-19-02, 06:47 PM
WPIX asked him to be. Bobby Murcer just went. Rizzuto said he should have just gone, also.

WPIX were assholes; they should have told Rizzuto to GO. Scooter was never the same regreting it, and his long, long tenure with WPIX soon ended without so much as a final broadcast or ceremony. It was a sad ending. :(
Jersey Yankee
08-19-02, 10:19 PM
Slip, thx so much!!! I just remembered Scooter had expressed regret and frustration being unable to pay his respects to the man who he'd played ball with.

I seem to remember the Yanks in bits & blurbs from reading the NY Daily News back then, so this certainly helps!!! :D :)

Brad
Slippery Elm
08-20-02, 04:01 AM
I still can't believe WPIX was so selfish and stupid to not tell Rizzuto to go and charge everything to them. Stupid, stupid.
Jersey Yankee
08-20-02, 07:26 PM
Slip, out of respect of his many years there and his having played w/Mick, you'd think they wouldn't have made this giant boo-boo.

You live and learn but that one was something that could've easily been prevented, especially out of respect for both the deceased and his ex-teammate.

Thx once again!!!

Brad
Sixty one
08-23-02, 08:56 AM
This was a major publicity blunder by WPIX. I remember it well. Scooter was bitter and he showed it on the air when he was broadcasting games. However, I think he left broadcasting soon after because he was tired of the travel and I don't think it had anything to do with this event.
thecaptain
08-23-02, 06:46 PM
» August 25, 1956: To make room for Enos Slaughter, the Yankees give Phil "the Scooter" Rizzuto his unconditional release. Through the instigation of Ballantine Beer, Rizzuto will be in the announcing booth next year, replacing Jim Woods.

August 18, 1995: Yankees announcer, and former SS, Phil Rizzuto retires as team broadcaster after 39 years at the mike, reportedly because WPIX-TV refused to allow him to miss a game to attend teammate Mickey Mantle’s funeral. Rizzuto eventually will return for the 1996 season.
Jersey Yankee
08-23-02, 10:45 PM
I remembered all the livers that had come in for Mick, but when others were allowed to the funeral, I remember Scooter's ire at not being allowed to pay his last respects.

Sixty one, thecaptain, thx once again!!! :D :)
Slippery Elm
08-23-02, 11:17 PM
Originally posted by Jersey Yankee
I remembered all the livers that had come in for Mick. . .

That's one sentence I never expected to see when Mick was playing.

BTW, Rizzuto said on air once after he was called into the office and it finally dawned on him that HE was the one getting the ax, as he later drove across the George Washington Bridge he contemplated jumping off. Really.
Jersey Yankee
08-23-02, 11:41 PM
Originally posted by Slippery Elm
That's one sentence I never expected to see when Mick was playing.

BTW, Rizzuto said on air once after he was called into the office and it finally dawned on him that HE was the one getting the ax, as he later drove across the George Washington Bridge he contemplated jumping off. Really. Considering how he'd lived fast and hard, a new liver kinda makes sense, no? I think there were about 700 when he'd finally gotten one.

When you say Scotter got the ax, you mean as a player (1956) or as an announcer (circa, 1996)? I'm guessing it's as a player, since it seems that he left WPIX-11 on his own, from what I'm reading here.

I won't be back for the next 3-4 hours or so. :gulp: :D :evil:
thecaptain
08-25-02, 09:38 AM
1956 Prior to the Old Timer's Game at Yankee Stadium, shortstop Phil Rizzuto is asked to consult with general manager George Weiss and manager Casey Stengel concerning a player move necessitated by reacquiring Enos Slaughter from the A's. After making several suggestions about who should be cut from the squad, the veteran infielder is told by Weiss he is the player about to be let go.
Slippery Elm
08-25-02, 11:56 PM
Originally posted by Jersey Yankee
Considering how he'd lived fast and hard, a new liver kinda makes sense, no? I think there were about 700 when he'd finally gotten one.

When you say Scotter got the ax, you mean as a player (1956) or as an announcer (circa, 1996)? I'm guessing it's as a player, since it seems that he left WPIX-11 on his own, from what I'm reading here.

I won't be back for the next 3-4 hours or so. :gulp: :D :evil:


1956 for Scooter. He never thought he was done until it finally dawned on him in the front office.


When Mick was playing there were no liver transplants.
Jersey Yankee
08-26-02, 11:33 PM
thecaptain, thx for looking that up for me!!! Much appreciated. :)

Slip, I hadn't realized there were no liver transplants back then. I guess people just had to live with what they were given. At least his illness brought some 700 fresh liver donations, if I remember correctly. ;)
Slippery Elm
08-27-02, 04:09 AM
I used to occasionally eat liver for dinner. Not after this thread!
Jersey Yankee
08-27-02, 10:39 AM
Originally posted by Slippery Elm
I used to occasionally eat liver for dinner. Not after this thread! That's calves' liver, Slip!!! :lol: :D :bad: Bon appetit!!! :)
0