Joe Garagiola ends broadcast career after 58 years

photo Hall of Fame broadcaster Joe Garagiola throws out the ceremonial first pitch Oct. 11, 2007, before Game 1 of the National League Championship baseball series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies in Phoenix. Garagiola, whose career transcended sports with his sharp sense of humor and limitless list of stories to tell, announced during a news conference on Wednesday that he is calling it quits as part-time television game analyst for the Diamondbacks.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Joe Garagiola, the ballplayer-turned-announcer who was honored by the Hall of Fame for his on-air work, is ending his broadcast career after nearly six decades.

The 87-year-old Garagiola said Wednesday that he's retiring as a part-time television analyst for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He said goodbye at a 30-minute news conference at the team's spring training facility, a session marked by his trademark one-liners and a bit of emotion.

Garagiola entertained audiences for 58 years with a sharp sense of humor and a seemingly endless list of stories. His personality transcended sports and landed him a pair of stints on the "Today" show and a slot as a guest host in Johnny Carson's seat on "The Tonight Show."

Garagiola spent nine seasons in the majors as a catcher. He had worked at selected Diamondbacks games for the past 15 years.

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