He’s now 88 years young but the guy is still a great sound bite. I have always loved watching and listening to Joe Garagiola. As a kid who loved baseball, I feel like I grew up with Joe. Before the internet, even before cable TV, there were only a couple of options to watch baseball and Joe was connected to all of them. From the “Game of the Week” broadcasts to the “Home-Run Derby”, you would find his friendly face and unmistakable voice.
88 years old and still a great sound bite.
Joe Garagiola played the game professionally but he will tell you he was an average player. It was only when he picked up a microphone after his playing days when he found his true skill. This guy could ad-lib from the get-go. It wasn’t long before broadcast executives put Joe to work. What began as a sports career expanded into the news world when NBC’s Today Show hired him as host of the popular network morning show. Coincidentally, I recently interviewed Joe for the Today Show regarding his charitable work after baseball and broadcasting, and a special recognition this month by Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame (for the second time).
Joe has had some recent health scares. He suffered a minor heart attack and a stroke. He now uses a cane to walk. But sit down with this legend, connect a microphone, turn the camera on and prepare to be dazzled. He is still an amazing sound bite and one of the best story-tellers of all time.