Phil Rizzuto

Sad note on today's Google Hot Trends. A "spicy" key phrase being searched today is "Phil Rizzuto."

Mr. Rizzuto, a Hall of Fame Yankees shortstop died late Monday night due to complications from pneumonia. Now, when I think of Phil Rizzuto, I don't think of the New York Yankees. And, any thoughts of baseball are secondary. These are the things I will remember about Phil Rizzuto:

• "The Pothole" episode of Seinfeld: In this episode, George Costanza is working for the New York Yankees. To celebrate Phil Rizzuto's induction into the Hall of Fame, George Steinbrenner gives everyone in the Yankees organization a Phil Rizzuto key chain that says "Holy Cow!" every time you squeezed his head. It was funny.
• "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf: I linked to the audio of Mr. Rizzuto doing the broadcast. If you have never heard the song, the basic gist is this teenage dude trying to convince his girlfriend to go all the way. Rizzuto narrates the guy getting to each base. It's pretty funny. I have heard that he was unaware of the intended use and double entendre of his broadcast.

Don't let my memories of Phil Rizzuto sully his accomplishments. You don't make the Baseball Hall of Fame for being a ding dong, I assume. I am not a big sports fan, so I don't know that for sure. But, I am pretty sure you have to have been pretty good to get in there.

RIP Phil!