Garagiola Shared Page in History With Ford

eastvalleytribune.com ^ | 12/28/06 | Paul Giblin and Daryl James

[beyond the sea]

Arizona Diamondbacks broadcaster Joe Garagiola Sr. had front-row seats for the 1976 presidential election. The Paradise Valley resident and his wife stayed that night in the Lincoln Bedroom of the White House and watched election coverage on television with President Gerald Democratic nominee Jimmy Carter had gained a slight lead, and the president decided to go to bed when it appeared no quick winner would emerge.

Garagiola, a former St. Louis Cardinals catcher and “Today Show” panelist, shared the story Wednesday, a day after Ford’s death at his California home. Garagiola, now 80, said watching the election unfold with Ford was like living inside a page of history.

“He said, ‘Let’s go to bed, and let’s have a good night’s sleep and see what happens in the morning,’ ” Garagiola recalled. “But I don’t think he slept very well. I know I didn’t.”

Ford conceded the election the next morning, and Garagiola was among the first to offer his condolences to the friend he called “Boss.”

“We should have won, Boss,” Garagiola told the president.

Ford’s reply made a lasting impression.

“He said, ‘I have to give him the White House in better shape than I got it,’ ” Garagiola said. “That was his main concern.”

[beyond the sea]

For anyone who appreciated Gerald Ford ....... this is a very nice article.

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“He was so human,” Garagiola said. “He was a people person. After you’re around him for five minutes, he’s like an old friend.”

****

(The President on the left)

[Steve_Seattle]

This is the first I've heard of Joe Garagiola in about 15 years. I always wondered what became of him.

[beyond the sea]

He's a funny guy. He was a catcher here in my city, Pittsburgh, back in the early 50's. He was my first autograph when I was about five.

Check this out if you wish:

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/columnists/20000814thebig4.asp

[beyond the sea]

ping

[johnny7]

Just heard Bbby Murcer's gonna' have surgery on a brain tumor...

[cyclotic]

His son is a newscaster here in Detroit.

"Only on 4! see the exclusive local personal history of one of our own Local 4 members and his personal piece of history, live at 4, 5, 6 and 11.

They filed it under Breaking News.

Nice story, but way, way overplayed.

[El Gato]

I remember that night. I was a graduate student, and active AF Reservist at Offutt AFB. I'd gotten off active duty about 11 months before. We lived in a fairly nice ranch style house in a very small town (pop. ~250). I remember staying up until the wee small hours waiting on the results, and then being PO'd, and afraid for my country. I felt the same when that other Navy man was tossed overboard in favor of the Draft Dodger.

It took 8 long years of the Reagan Administration to undo the all too long 4 years of Mr. Peanut, plus the damage wrought by the 'rat takeover of Congress two years earlier. Here's hoping history doesn't repeat itself there.

[beyond the sea]

I wish him good luck with that.