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Rizzuto calls dash for 'paradise'

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Published August 15, 2007

The legendary Phil Rizzuto died Monday at age 89. Some remember him for being a Hall of Fame shortstop for the Yankees. Others remember him as the longtime Yankees announcer. But our favorite memory is "singing" on Meat Loaf's Paradise by the Dashboard Light. Actually, he was calling a fake game. Well, that's what he thought. He didn't know he was calling a late-night "meeting" between a man and a woman in the back seat of a car. When he found out later, he was furious. But, still, it is classic rock-and-roll. Here's Scooter's call:

Okay here we go, we got a real pressure cooker going here. Two down, nobody on, no score, bottom of the ninth. There's the windup, and there it is, a line shot up the middle. Look at him go. This boy can really fly! He's rounding first and really turning it on now, he's not letting up at all. He's gonna try for second; the ball is bobbled out in center, and here comes the throw, and what a throw! He's gonna slide in head first, here he comes, he's out! No, wait, safe, safe at second base. This kid really makes things happen out there. Batter steps up to the plate. Here's the pitch, he's going, and what a jump he's got. He's trying for third, here's the throw, it's in the dirt. Safe at third! Holy cow, stolen base! He's taking a pretty big lead out there, almost daring him to try and pick him off. The pitcher glances over, winds up, and it's bunted, bunted down the third-base line, the suicide squeeze is on! Here he comes, squeeze play, its gonna be close, here's the throw, here's the play at the plate. Holy cow, I think he's gonna make it!

[Last modified August 15, 2007, 00:10:22]