This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/14/2019
1946-48 Phil Rizzuto Game Worn New York Yankees Cap, MEARS Authentic. A hero to the "vertically challenged" sports fans of his era, Rizzuto was famously dismissed by his future Yankees manager Casey Stengel during a 1935 tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers, advising the diminutive shortstop to "go get a shoeshine box." But Scooter was undeterred, and twenty years later Stengel owned up to his poor judgment, admitting, "He is the greatest shortstop I have ever seen in my entire baseball career, and I have watched some beauties."
Presented is a navy wool Yankees cap worn by the future Hall of Famer just before Stengel grabbed hold of the managerial reins. The speedy Rizzuto would score what would prove to be the deciding run in Game Seven of the 1947 World Series, quite possibly carrying this hat along for the ride.
The cap exhibits outstanding use but presents beautifully, the visor soft and supple and the interior leather headband quite worn but displaying the proper "Spalding" manufacturer's label and embroidered "7 1/8 P. Rizzuto" text perfectly.
Though Rizzuto labored beneath the shadow of two of the greatest legends of pinstriped history--Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle--he is properly considered on of the team's all-time greats, enshrined both in Yankee Stadium's Monument Park and at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. This is just the second Rizzuto game worn garment we have had the good fortune to present. LOA from MEARS, Authentic. LOA from Heritage Auctions.