MLB’s Oldest Scout, Who Discovered Cal Ripken, Dead at 93

Tommy Giordano spent more than seven decades working in professional baseball.

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After going into hospice care last week following a series of infections, Tommy “T-Bone” Giordano has passed away at the age of 93.

A Newark native, Giordano played his first season of minor-league ball in 1948 for the York White Roses and eventually made it to the majors for 11 games, recording seven hits, including two home runs, for the Philadelphia Athletics (before the team moved to Oakland).

Giordano went on to manage for five seasons in the majors, but his greatest contributions to the game of baseball came as a scout.

While scouting for the Orioles, he helped discover Cal Ripken Jr. and while doing the same job with the Indians, he helped evaluate Manny Ramirez.

Giordano’s scouting mantra was “Get in the house,” a move that would allow him to examine a prospect’s family and look for any off-the-field red flags.

“See what kind of furniture they have in the house. See how many cars they have. See what kind of dad he has. Does he drink? Does he smoke? Are there any problems in the house? Get to know that family. I love doing that kind of work,” he said.

Before becoming ill, Giordano was still doing his job and had been working for the Atlanta Braves as baseball’s oldest scout. This season would have been his 72nd in professional baseball.

“Tom Giordano defined the term ‘baseball lifer,’” the Braves wrote in a statement. “Tom’s baseball pedigree was unmatched, and helped make him the longest active scout in the sport last season.”

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