Celebrating the wonderful life of MLB scout Tom Giordano
He was still a scout when he passed away on Valentine's Day, at age 93, leaving a legion of friends who were lucky to have known him.
Celebrating the wonderful life of MLB scout Tom Giordano He was still a scout when he passed away on Valentine's Day, at age 93, leaving a legion of friends who were lucky to have known him. Check out this story on northjersey.com: https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2019/02/15/tommy-giordano-life-and-legacy-mlb-scout/2874274002/
Pete Caldera, North Jersey Record Published 8:55 a.m. ET Feb. 15, 2019 | Updated 10:32 a.m. ET Feb. 15, 2019
TAMPA, Florida – On some frigid winter night in New York, Tom Giordano answered the phone in Florida.
This was too many years ago to remember and whatever the purpose of the call is long lost, though I probably interrupted his dinner.
This was very early in my knowing T-Bone, but he was as warm as the Southerly breeze.
"You can call me anytime,'' Tom Giordano said, and I often wish I'd done that more often.
In the seasons that followed, any encounter with T-Bone began and ended with a smile and a laugh.
You could reliably find this genial man at Yankee Stadium or Tropicana Field, willingly sharing his opinions and his priceless stories – a visit that usually included a joke or a playful jab.
The story continues below the gallery.
Scout Tom Giordano dies at 93
Newark-born Tom Giordano, shown in July 2018 at 92 years old, was the oldest active scout in baseball. Giordano died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 at age 93. Giordano was stricken in December with a blood infection, said his daughter, Gail Przeclawski. He died at her home in Orlando, Florida, after the family decided against further treatment. Viorel Florescu/NorthJersey.com
Newark-born Tom Giordano, at 92 years old, remains the oldest active scout in baseball. Here he's pictured at Yankee Stadium on July 3, 2018 when the Braves were in town to take on the Yankees. Viorel Florescu/NorthJersey.com
In this March 5, 2016, file photo, Tommy Giordano, right foreground, special assistant to the general manager of the Atlanta Braves, scouts a spring training baseball game between the Braves and the Pittsburgh Pirates, in Kissimmee, Fla."I can't wait to get up in the morning and go to the ballpark," he said in a 2016 interview. Giordano died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 at age 93. Paul Newberry, AP
In this March 5, 2016, file photo, Tommy Giordano, special assistant to the general manager of the Atlanta Braves, scouts a spring training baseball game between the Braves and the Pittsburgh Pirates, in Kissimmee, Fla. Giordano died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 at age 93. Paul Newberry, AP
In this March 6, 2016, file photo, Tommy Giordano, special assistant to the general manager of the Atlanta Braves, sits in the stands after the team's spring training baseball workout, in Kissimmee, Fla. Nicknamed "T-bone," he is staked out behind home plate, a stopwatch in one hand, a lineup card in his lap. Giordano died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 at age 93. Paul Newberry, AP
When we finally sat down to talk formally about his baseball life for a story last summer, T-Bone opened with this: "I can go back from the time I was two years old.''
He out-homered Hank Aaron in one minor league season, costing Aaron a Triple Crown, then tutored Aaron in finer points of second base. T-Bone recommended he try right field.
He played a handful of games with the Philadelphia Athletics, greeted personally by Connie Mack.
He managed in the minor leagues, raised a family, served as a big-league scouting director.
He beat prostate cancer, 27 years ago.
He drafted Cal Ripken Jr., and earned a World Series ring – which he always wore – with the 1983 Orioles.
He had a story for just about any name in the game, and a memory for details. He was a one-man Broadway show.
This son of Italian immigrant parents, living above the family's Newark grocery store, built a legendary 71-year career in baseball.
He was still a scout with the Atlanta Braves when he passed away on Valentine's Day, at age 93, leaving a legion of friends who were lucky to have known him.