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Rizzuto May Prove MVP the Hard Way Scooter Denies Slowing Up Charges; Comiskey, Richards,. Lopez Agree Hes Yank Key By STEVE SNIDER United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, N. Y., May 10. Little Phil Rizzuto, who came into the Yankee organization 18 years ago, may prove the hard way that hes the most valuable player in the American League. At least three experts have maintained right along that Rizzuto was the man who held the Yankees together. They predicted the Yankees would fold if the Scooter did. This could be the year. Both Chuck Comiskey and manager Paul Richards of the White Sox agree the mighty mite five feet, six inches tall is the key man in the Yankee lineup. "He is the glue that holds the infield together, no matter who plays beside him," said Al Lopez of the Indians in an earlier appraisal of the veteran shortstop. But 18 years, with three out for navy duty, is a big chunk in the life of a ball player and the years are bound to show in his performance sooner or later, even if he does still look like the teams mascot. Rizzuto denies he has slowed up any and thats echoed by second baseman Gerry Coleman, who cant see any difference between the Rizzuto he left when he went to Korea and the Rizzuto of- today. Its no secret, however, that manager Casey Stengel has been concerned for two or three seasons with the problem of finding a replacement for Rizzuto so little Phil can get all the rest he needs. Eleventh Season of Competition So far, in his 11th season of competition as a Yankee, Rizzuto has been unsensa-tional, but so have most of his teammates. ItH take a keener eye than ours to detect any serious signs that the little man no longer can be the unofficial "most valuable" of the Yankee lineup. "If anyone .says Ive slowed up they know more about me than I do myself," he said. Rizzuto actually has won only one MVP award, sweeping the honor in 1950 when he recorded his best year at bat .324. But he has been a standout on defense and a timely hitter all the way while operating alongside a series of fine second basemen. A native New Yorker, Phil is one of the biggest bargains in modern Yankee history. He cost em a ham sandwich and a glass of milk the lunch-time fare offered him and other youngsters at a Yankee tryout session. Either the Giants or Dodgers could have grabbed little Phil back in 1937. Officials of both clubs chased him off the premises and told him to grow up before he began thinking about a baseball career. The Yankees figured he never would grow up, but took a chance on the ability he did show and sent him to Bassett, Va., where he hit .310 in his pro debut. Then it was Norfolk, Va., Kansas City and filially to the Yankees in 1941 where, in his rookie year, he played in the first of his eight World Series. And even after all this time, the smiling little Scooter commands tremendous respect from his foes. "If Phil can play ilO to 120 games, the Yankees are likely to pull away again this year," said young Comiskey before the season opened. If he doesnt, maybe theyll all discover how valuable the Scooter really is.
