Joe Garagiola, a former Major League Baseball catcher who became a popular and versatile broadcaster, died on March 23, 2016, at the age of 90. The Arizona Diamondbacks, the team he worked for as a commentator, announced his death before their exhibition game against San Francisco. The cause of his death was not disclosed, but he had been in ill health in recent years.
A Remarkable Career on and off the Field
Garagiola was born on February 12, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri, in an Italian-American neighborhood known as The Hill. He grew up across the street from his childhood friend and rival, Yogi Berra, who would become a Hall of Fame catcher for the New York Yankees. Garagiola was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals at the age of 16 and made his major league debut in 1946, after serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Garagiola played nine seasons in the majors for the Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and New York Giants. He was a part of the 1946 World Series champion Cardinals team and had a memorable performance in Game 4, when he went 4-for-5 with three RBIs. He had a career batting average of .257 with 42 home runs and 255 RBIs.
Garagiola retired from playing in 1954 and soon embarked on a successful career as a broadcaster and television personality. He called games for NBC, CBS, and the Diamondbacks, and was known for his witty and humorous style. He also hosted several shows, including The Today Show, The Tonight Show, and To Tell the Truth. He won the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 for his contributions to baseball broadcasting.
A Passionate Advocate and a Generous Soul
Garagiola was more than just a baseball player and a broadcaster. He was also a passionate advocate for various causes, such as the fight against smokeless tobacco, the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.), and the National Spit Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP). He traveled to every major league camp during spring training to educate players about the dangers of tobacco and oral cancer. He also helped found B.A.T., an organization that assists former players who have met misfortune.
Garagiola was also a devout Catholic and a generous donor to many charities, especially those related to children. He received the Children’s MVP Award from the Jim Eisenreich Foundation in 1998 for his work with kids. He also supported the St. Peter Indian Mission School in Arizona, where he lived with his wife Audrie.
Garagiola is survived by his wife, three children, eight grandchildren, and countless fans and friends who admired him for his remarkable life and legacy. He will be remembered as a baseball and broadcasting legend, a caring and compassionate man, and a lover of the game. As he once said, “Most of all, I’ve loved the game.” And the game loved him back.
