20 years ago today Buddy Diliberto passed away

[SaintStephen1]

Sad that Dilberto turned out to be so completely and utterly wrong and a bit misguided in his perception that a past-his-prime, clueless and overrated HC like Ditka could somehow resurrect and revitalize this team and franchise. I think Buddy D seriously over-estimated Ditka's role in remaking the Bears into contenders in the 1980's and early 90's when in reality they kind of already had a good defense in 1981 with Buddy Ryan, it was really more GM Jim Finks who drafted and attracted that great talent in the 1982 draft and Ditka, for the most part, stayed out of the way until his ego ballooned by the late 80's and he began thinking he was mostly responsible for building those Bears teams.

Buddy partly liked him so he could get inside betting info from Ditka.

 

[Bayouboy]

During the draft when we selected Deuce, I was in attendance at Saints camp and won a drawing to have lunch with Buddy D. Me and 4 friends went to Crescent City Brewhouse for lunch with Buddy D, Mike Detillier and Kaare Johnson. It was a hoot. They told all kinds of stories. Buddy D got kicked off the Saints plane one time when critical of Meachem. As a young Saints fan, it was a dream come true. Good times.

I always wondered how someone with a speech impediment could have a show in radio. lol

 

[JvilleJoe]

They broke the mold when the made Buddy. I grew up with him and it was a sad day when I learned he had died. He was a huge part of the Saints early story, good and bad, and there are times when one of his unique observations come to mind!
RIP

 

[Bill]

It is a shame that Buddy D never lived at least maybe another 10 years to witness the outstanding, almost mythical accomplishments Brees and Sean Payton would bring to this city, team and organization for 15 seasons as well as a SB victory.

You just wanted to see him in that dress.

 

[NatureBoy]

While Buddy didn't present himself as the most polished speaker, he was a very good and well informed writer. Part of Buddy's allure was that he came across as a regular guy. When Buddy died I turned down the sound and see no reason to turn it back up. While I haven't completely ignored Bobby and the rest of the current crew, I find no reason to listen to them religiously, like I listened to Buddy. I've maybe listened to WWL sports talk a dozen times since Buddy's death. He was one of a kind. When he misprounced someone's name, I loved it, when Bobby does it, I cringe. They aren't comparable.

 

[SuperSaint]

I remember where I was when I heard the news. A New Orleans legend.

 

[Nutria]

"You're all squirrels!"

 

[rsmith2783]

While Buddy didn't present himself as the most polished speaker, he was a very good and well informed writer. Part of Buddy's allure was that he came across as a regular guy. When Buddy died I turned down the sound and see no reason to turn it back up. While I haven't completely ignored Bobby and the rest of the current crew, I find no reason to listen to them religiously, like I listened to Buddy. I've maybe listened to WWL sports talk a dozen times since Buddy's death. He was one of a kind. When he misprounced someone's name, I loved it, when Bobby does it, I cringe. They aren't comparable.

One time the Saints were bringing in Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala for a visit. As soon as Buddy heard the name, he was like "oohhhh noo don't bring him here". Every knew that it would be a kick hearing him pronounce that name

 

[new city champ]

Buddy was an institution, one of the early New Orleans sports casting legends along with Hap Glaudi and Jimmy Steele ("I raise the cup.") Those guys had a lot of local flavor but they were passionate about sports.
Before radio, Buddy hosted a weekly television show to recap the games and gave away a free Wittenauer wrist watch to the guests. It was the '70s so guys came on air in outrageous get ups. It was great stuff!