Legendary college baseball coach Augie Garrido has died. He was 79 and had suffered a recent stroke. Garrido won three College World Series titles with Cal-State Fullerton and two more with Texas.
He made 15 trips with his teams to Omaha and became a fixture at the Lo Sole Mio Italian restaurant in Omaha. "Just a sad day for anyone who knew Augie," says owner Don Losole. During his first visit to Omaha, Garrido was introduced to Losole and his restaurant by a mutual friend and a long term friendship began.
"We sat down and we talked and it was just like I knew him forever. We just hit it off and we felt like we were family with him." Garrdio enjoyed the food and atmosphere so much he wanted Losole to open a second restaurant in Austin, Texas.
"He would always say 'Don I'll back you in this thing, they need one like this in Austin.' Losole responded by saying "I'm an Omaha guy, I'm not moving." Losole tells NewsRadio 1110 KFAB Garrido almost always ordered chicken picatta. "He had anti-pasta, a little red wine and a lot of conversation."
Losole recalls that Garrido was close with his son Dino, who died in a motorcycle accident four years ago. "Augie was always very gracious and kind about Dino. Losole has so many memories of Augie's kindness and generosity. But the thing he will miss the most: "I will miss having a glass of wine and sitting around talking with my friend, that's for sure."