Yankees All-Time Greatest Rookie Seasons

Phil Rizzuto

While his 1941 debut season was largely overshadowed by Joltin’ Joe’s hitting streak, Phil Rizzuto had a superb year in his own right during his rookie year. The man affectionately known as Scooter hit .307/.348/.398 (96 OPS+) while playing an excellent shortstop.

Taking over everyday duties at short from the declining Frankie Crosetti, Rizzuto was half of an outstanding middle-infield combo for the team with Joe Gordon. Both future Hall of Famers received MVP votes that year and were an enormous part of the club’s success. The Rookie of the Year award wasn’t implemented until six years later, but Scooter would have been the likely front-runner had it existed.

Scooter was an important contributor to the club’s 12th American League pennant, helping New York to a 101-53 record, 17 games ahead of the second place Boston Red Sox. As with most years at the time, the Yankees faced off against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1941 World Series.

The rookie shortstop didn’t add much with the bat during the series, going 2-for-18 with three walks and a stolen base. Still, the lineup was so loaded this year that it could absorb a slump from any of its best hitters. New York cruised to their fifth title in six years and ninth overall to that point.

Rizzuto of course would go on to play his entire 13 years in pinstripes, making five All-Star teams, taking home AL MVP honors in 1950, and collecting an incredible eight World Series rings.

Next: The Captain