Former Arizona Diamondbacks announcer Joe Garagiola dies at 90
Baseball and broadcasting star Joe Garagiola has died at the age of 90.
Garagiola played eight seasons in Major League Baseball as a catcher before going on to spend 57 years in the broadcast booth. He played for the Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs and Giants.
Garagiola worked with NBC for 30 years and won the 1991 Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this amazing man who was not just beloved by those of us in his family, but to generations of baseball fans who he impacted during his eight decades in the game,” Garagiola's family said in a statement. “Joe loved the game and passed that love onto family, his friends, his teammates, his listeners and everyone he came across as a player and broadcaster. His impact on the game, both on and off the field, will forever be felt.”
• 2016 MLB season preview: Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks took a moment of silence before Wednesday's spring training game. Garagiola served as an announcer for the franchise for 15 years.
Garagiola is survived by his wife and three children, which includes former Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola Jr.
A funeral service will be held in St. Louis, and a memorial service is planned for Arizona.
