Joe Garagiola from the Chronology

Mar 9, 1995 - Baseball owners vote 28-0 to admit 2 new teams-the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Arizona Diamondbacks-for the 1998 season. Each team will pay an expansion fee of $130 million. The D'Backs hire lawyer Joe Garagiola‚ Jr‚ as their first GM.

Sep 8, 1954 - The Giants purchase catcher Joe Garagiola from the Cardinals. He'll hit .273 in 5 games‚ then retire to pursue a broadcasting career.

Jun 9, 1954 - In the 2nd game of two against the Phils‚ Cubs Joe Garagiola and Bill Serena each hit pinch homers‚ but it is not enough as the Phils win 14-6 for a sweep of the doubleheader.

Jun 4, 1953 - After batting practice at Forbes Field the Pirates and Cubs announce a shocking trade. Pittsburgh sends slugger Ralph Kiner‚ along with C Joe Garagiola‚ P Howie Pollet‚ and OF Catfish Metkovich to Chicago for C Toby Atwell‚ P Bob Schultz‚ 1B Preston Ward‚ 3B George Freese‚ OF Bob Addis‚ OF Gene Hermanski‚ and $150‚000. The Pirates defeat the Cubs‚ 6-1‚ with Kiner getting a double in four at bats for the Cubs.

Jun 15, 1951 - Pittsburgh sends Cliff "no hit" Chambers and OF Wally Westlake to the Cards for C Joe Garagiola‚ P Howie Pollet‚ P Ted Wilks‚ OF Bill Howerton‚ and 2B Dick Cole.

Jun 1, 1950 - Marty Marion‚ Sid Gordon‚ and Hank Thompson hit grand slams for the Cards (5-2 over Brooklyn)‚ the Braves (14-2 over the Pirates)‚ and the Giants (8-7 in the first of 2 at Cincinnati) respectively. Gordon adds a second homer as he drives home 7 runs for Boston‚ winners over the Pirates‚ 10-6. The Cards lose the services of C Joe Garagiola‚ who separates his shoulder after tripping over Jackie Robinson covering 1B‚ and Tommy Glaviano‚ who sprains his ankle. Hitting .347 at the time‚ Garagiola won't return until September 3 (as noted by Bill Deane) and will hit only 2-for-13 the rest of the season. But the grand slam‚ the first in Marion's 11-year-career‚ moves the Birds into a tie for first place with the Dodgers/

Jul 3, 1949 - The Cards move to within a game of the leading Dodgers‚ by beating the Reds‚ 8-1. Gerry Staley pitches the complete game win‚ and batterymate Joe Garagiola poles a homer‚ off starter Herm Wehmeier.

Apr 30, 1948 - A 5-hit game-HR‚ 2 doubles and 2 singles-by Stan Musial at Cincinnati is the first of 4 such performances by him during the year as The Man sparks the Cards‚ 13-7 win. He will do it again on May 19‚ June 22‚ and September 22. Only Cobb and Keeler have done it before. Joe Garagiola adds 3 hits including a grand slam in the 7-run 7th. Reliever Al Brazle is the winner.

Sep 11, 1947 - In the start of a crucial series in St. Louis‚ Ralph Branca‚ 21‚ wins his 20th as the Dodgers clip the Cardinals 4-3. The tense battle ignites after Joe Garagiola spikes Jackie Robinson at 1B the 2nd inning. Coming to bat in the 3rd‚ Robinson has words with Garagiola ("a teeth to teeth exchange" Time) and the two are finally separated by coach Clyde Sukeforth. It is the first time that Robinson has reacted on the field.

Oct 10, 1946 - Enos Slaughter‚ Whitey Kurowski‚ and Joe Garagiola each have 4 hits‚ and Al Brazle pitches a 12-3 complete game win. The Cards tie a WS record by racking up 20 hits.

Oct 1, 1946 - In the first ever NL playoff before 26‚012 at Sportsman's Park Field the Dodgers manage just 3 hits off Howie Pollet and lose 4-2. Joe Garagiola's 3 hits pace the Cardinals as they beat Ralph Branca.

Sep 12, 1946 - The Dodgers‚ a game and a half out despite winning 9 of their last 10‚ host St.‚ Louis for a three game series. But the Cardinals rip Brooklyn‚ 10-2‚ behind Howie Pollet's 5-hitter‚ in the series opener. The Cards light up Kirby Higbe in the first inning for 5 runs‚ highlighted by Joe Garagiola's 3-run homer.

Jun 5, 1946 - The Cards top the Braves 2-1 as Elvin Adams' pinch single in the 9th drives in the winner. Rookie Joe Garagiola doubles in the 7th for his first hit in front of his hometown fans.