Joe Garagiola, Sr. died today, Wednesday. He turned a baseball career, a life-long friendship with Yogi Berra, and a golden tongue into a nearly 60-year broadcast career:
But it was after he stopped playing that his fortunes took off. He thrived as a glib baseball broadcaster and fixture on the “Today” show, leading to a nearly 30-year association with NBC.
Garagiola, who was awarded the Ford Frick Award — presented annually to a broadcaster for “major contributions to baseball” — by the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, was the play-by-play voice of baseball for NBC for nearly 30 years, beginning in 1961. He worked alongside Curt Gowdy, Tony Kubek and Bob Costas on the network’s “Game of the Week.”
After leaving NBC in 1988, Garagiola became the commentator for the California Angels and Diamondbacks until retiring from broadcasting in 2013.
I remember him hosting game shows as well. I also loved his Monday night pre-game show on NBC, The Baseball World of Joe Garagiola. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
As a player, Joe played part time, but was great at getting on base. He posted a .354 career OBP, but with little power. That was enough to keep him in the majors for nine seasons with four different teams.
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/1MD3jDm
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