- Legally changed his name to "Philip Francis Rizzuto."
- Rizzuto had long given his birth year as 1917, but he admitted to sportswriter Bill Madden - for the 2003 book "Pride of October" - that he had chopped a year off when signing with the Yankees, after other ballplayers told him it would give him an extra year at the end of his career. His true birth year was actually 1916.
- On 23 October 1941, Joe DiMaggio asked Rizzuto to fill in for him at the last minute at a Newark, New Jersey testimonial because his wife had just given birth to their son. After the dinner, the Chief of the Fire Deptartment took Rizzuto home, where he met his future wife, Cora.
- He was elected into the 2008 New Jersey Hall of Fame for his services and contributions to Sports.
- Played 1661 regular season games with the New York Yankees, 1647 at shortstop, in 1941 and 1942, then from 1946 to 1956. Spent his entire playing career with the Yankees.
- The 1950 American League Most Valuable Player.
- Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994.
- Five time All-Star.
- He was the first "mystery guest" on the premiere show of What's My Line? (1950).
- Probably the best bunter of his time.
- Provided the baseball play-by-play element of Meatloaf's "Paradise by the Dashboard Light". He was not told of the sexual nature of the song before he recorded his portion.
- In the Seinfeld (1989) episode "The Pothole" George gets a key chain of Rizzuto's head. When it is squeezed it said, "Holy cow!".
- Made major league debut on 14 April 1941.
- Parents emigrated from Calabria, Italy.
- Served in the United States Navy during Worls War II.
- Grew up in Glendale, Queens, New York.
- Graduated from Richmond Hill High School.
- Father Fiore Philip Rizzuto, a dock watchman, was born in Brooklyn, New York on 17 December 1891.
- Father Fiore Philip Rizzuto married mother Rosina "Rose" Agnotti on 21 July 1912.
- Grew up at 78-01 64th Street in Glendale, Queens, New York.
- Has a brother Alfred and two sisters, Rose and Mary.
- Dropped out of Richmond Hill High School.
- Signed with the New York Yankees in 1941.
- Served in the United States Navy.
- Was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994.
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