[Archive]

Posted By: barrysloate

According to an article by Murray Chass in this morning's New York Times, in the 1970's Rizzuto hurt himself while bunting during spring training and had to be taken to the hospital. Chass was there and offered to drive. When they arrived Rizzuto was asked some basic questions, among them his date of birth.

"September 25, 1916", he replied, then turned to Chass and said "Don't you tell anybody."

So I think the mystery is solved. Phil lied about his age, thus all the "1918" dates on the back of his baseball cards, as well as the "1917" the Yankees are using, are incorrect.