18 years ago today the legendary Buddy “Buddy D” Diliberto passed away.It seems like a blink of the eye.
Buddy D. was the most unique media sports personality I have ever been around in my lifetime...From writing for the Stars & Stripes newspaper in Korea, to the Times Picayune as a writer and lead columnist, to his work on TV with ABC ( both Channel 12 and 8 ) to Channel 6- his From The Pressbox TV Shows and The Hey Buddy D Show... and later being must listen to radio on WWL Radio in New Orleans..
Buddy did it with flair, enthusiasm and a voice and dialect.. that was only Buddy D.. He was Naturally New Orleans.
Buddy didn’t give me my start on radio, the legendary Hap Glaudi did.
I am forever grateful to Hap for doing so and also being such a good friend to me..But Buddy D was different…
For the last 10 years of his life there was not a day go by he didn’t call me or we would see or work with one another. It didn’t matter if it was a holiday, vacation or I was overloaded with work.... he called and he made me laugh and we had some great memories and stories that are still hard to believe.
He would call me every AM after Mass.
One day I could hear him talking to the priest and he tells the priest “ the station called and I have to do an interview.”
I told Buddy “ why did you lie to the priest, you could have told him we were talking about gambling on games.”
In his laughing tone he tells me, “ Hey Mike that’s why I go to church every day. God understands .”
And he would roar with laughter.
I have worked with Bobby J since 2005 and we have had some really good times and crazy events too, but Buddy’s adventures trump those with the Cajun Cannon.
Many felt Buddy D hated the Saints because he was so hard on them. But it was - Just the opposite- he loved the Saints and knew what the team meant to the area. I know he saw the Saints Win the Super Bowl in the best seat in the house and has enjoyed the ride..
and looking for a spot to place a bet...
That was Buddy...
My good pal Donna Martin- who was a producer on the “Hey Buddy D TV Show”. and afterwards became a movie mogul, then turned fashion designer- came on WWL SportsTalk the day I was hired fulltime in 2021 and said “ There will never be another Buddy D.. My life has taken me all over the world from the movie industry to fashion and he is still one of the most unique individuals I have ever met.
Here’s the best part- We rarely talked even though I was his boss TV wise and he let me know quickly about chain of command.
He would tell me “ Donna, you talk to Mike Detillier and he will explain to me, thats how it will be done.”
It was like a scene from “Goodfellas” the movie. It was like the mob would do things - chain of command.
He wouldn’t do what I asked him to do but if I told you and you explained it to Buddy- he did exactly what I wanted him to do.
That was fine with me.
He was funny, Buddy could never pronounce certain words correctly and he would quickly lose his temper, but he was great with his friends, he would study immensely on what he wanted to get across, he was hilariously funny and one of the best interviewers I have ever heard.
Some people are great reading script or what they are told to say....Buddy would listen closely and base his next set of questions on their answer.. And no one, and I mean no one, would intimidate him.
I realized quickly some people involved with the Saints organization disliked him because he was so honest and we heard back from them time and time again. And I know some with the Saints pressured other media members to not follow alongside him in his methods of being critical. But he didn’t buckle one bit.
At the end of the show on Channel 38 he trusted me because you put your trust in me. And we would talk and he would tell his stories to me.
I was so thrilled to be part of the group.
Buddy was a good hearted soul and I wish he could have seen the Saints Win it all in 2009.”
Buddy did see it and probably had money on it. I couldn’t thank him enough for what he did for me and my family. He was a kind soul in life.
There’s a saying that goes “ when you listen to Frank Sinatra sing a song he is giving you a 4 minute account of his life at that moment.”
That was Buddy D too..
We miss you my friend !!