February 14th, 1949-October 26th, 1956
A fifteen-minute nightly newscast hosted by John Cameron Swayze. It was replaced on October 29th, 1956 by the Huntley-Brinkley Report.
Sportscaster reporter Phil Rizzuto reports on game 5 of the 1956 World Series in which the Yankees Don Larsen pitched a perfect game.
Broadcasting career
Phil Rizzuto had options following his release by the Yankees, on Old Timer's Day, August 25, 1956 including a player contract from the Cardinals and a minor league offer from the Dodgers. But Rizzuto, who had filled in for the New York Giants' wraparound fifteen minute post game show hosted by Frankie Frisch beginning on September 22, 1956 following Frisch's heart attack (August 9th right after NY Giant win over the Philadelphia Phillies), received a favorable response. With his eye on a post-playing career, Rizzuto submitted an audition tape to the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees' sponsor, Ballantine Beer, took notice, and insisted that the team hire Rizzuto as an announcer for the 1957 season. General manager George Weiss was obliged to fire Jim Woods, who had only been with the Yankees for four years, to make room for Rizzuto in the booth. Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto was so popular with the fans that they couldn't let him go after his retirement in 1956. After announcing his retirement, he signed on as the Yankees announcer on December 18th, 1956, a position he held for 40 years.