In today’s “not much of a surprise, really” news, Nick Piecoro reports that Chris Garagiola will become the new play-by-play commentator for the Diamondbacks on the television side. He replaces Steve Berthiaume, whose contract was not renewed at the end of last season. Garagiola had been working on the radio side since 2022, and took over from long-time radio icon Greg Schulte, when the veteran retired at the end of the 2023 season. As soon as the news of Berthiaume’s departure became public, Garagiola was the name most-often mentioned as a replacement. Of course, this means the team will now have a vacancy on the radio side to fill.
The name Garagiola has had a long connection with the franchise. His grandfather Joe Garagiola Sr. was a mainstay color commentator on the TV broadcasts through 2012, following nine seasons as a player in the major leagues. His time in the D-backs booth was the final stop on a 58-year broadcasting career, which started with Cardinals radio broadcasts in 1955. His son, Joe Jr., was the first GM of the Diamondbacks, occupying the role from the team’s inception through 2005. He them moved on to various positions in MLB, including being the senior vice president of standards and on-field operations.
I must admit, while he has done occasional fill-in spots on the television side for Berthiaume, I honestly couldn’t tell you very much about his style there. Nor could I tell you the last time I listened to a radio broadcast of a D-backs game, so I will have to rely on you folk to tell me what he’s like as a commentator! Do you think it will transfer well from the radio to the more visual medium of television? Do you think he will play well with Bob Brenly? Or should the team also look to make a chance in that department, and let Bob go off to spend time fishing and with his grandkids?