Joseph Henry Garagiola (born February 12, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri) is an American former catcher in Major League Baseball who later became an announcer and television host, popular for his colorful personality.
He grew up in an Italian-American neighborhood in St. Louis known as The Hill. He was a talented athlete, as was his childhood friend and competitor, Yogi Berra. When they were teenagers Garagiola was considered the better baseball prospect by pro scouts, although in his writing Garagiola is always complimentary about Berra's ability.
He was signed at age 16 by the St. Louis Cardinals organization and made his major league debut in 1946. He never quite lived up to the promise of his youth, appearing in only 676 games over 9 seasons for St. Louis, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and New York Giants. He was a mediocre hitter in the majors and featured that in his self-deprecating humor.
After his retirement from baseball, he wrote a book, Baseball Is a Funny Game, which sold well upon release. The book was largely a collection of humorous anecdotes surrounding his upbringing and his playing career, and showcased the folksy humorous style that became his trademark as a broadcaster. He also became a broadcaster on the flagship station of the St. Louis Cardinals, KMOX, in 1955.
As an announcer, Garagiola is best known for his almost 30 year association with NBC. He began doing national baseball broadcasts for NBC in 1961. He became a broadcaster for the New York Yankees from 1965 to 1968. He returned to broadcasting baseball for NBC from 1976 to 1988. During the 1980s, Garagiola formed one of the most famous broadcasting teams of all-time when he teamed up with Vin Scully for baseball telecasts. Ironically, prior to NBC hiring Scully to be their #1 baseball play-by-play announcer, that particular role was filled by Garagiola.
Besides calling baseball games for NBC, Garagiola served as the host of The Today Show from 1967-1973 and again from 1991-1992.
After leaving NBC (when they lost the television rights to cover Major League Baseball to CBS), Garagiola had a brief stint as a television commentator for the California Angels.
Garagiola has also become an advocate in recent years. He has been vocal, particularly to young people and athletes, in his campaign against the use of spit tobacco.
In 1991 he was honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame with the Ford Frick Award for outstanding broadcasting accomplishents.
Garagiola's son, Joe Jr. went on to become the general manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Joe Sr. wasn't far behind as he became a television broadcaster for the Diamondbacks.
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