Rudolph Alvarado discussed his new biography, The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez: The Voice of Santa Anita on NPR’s Weekend America on Saturday, May 3. The interview served notice that Alvarado’s biography is more than a “niche market” book.
Los Angeles, CA, May 5, 2008-Rudolph Alvarado discussed his recently released biography, The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez: The Voice of Santa Anita on National Public Radio’s Weekend America on Saturday, May 3. The interview was archived on the show’s website along with photographs of Hernandez. Joe Hernandez was the race caller at Santa Anita Park from the time the pristine thoroughbred race track opened on Christmas Day 1934 until January 27, 1972. In all that time Hernandez never missed a single call. His streak ended at 15,587 races called in a row.
The program, which is hosted by Desiree Cooper, featured Hernandez’s call of Seabiscuit’s win in the 1940 Santa Anita Handicap, as well as his last call when he fainted at the microphone. A variety of topics surrounding Hernandez’s life were discussed. “By the time the interview is over,†commented Alvarado prior to the interview, “people will certainly know that the book is much more than a biography written for a ‘niche market.’ When you throw in the mystery surrounding Joe’s birthplace and his early life, his apparent complicated–and perhaps troubled–personality, his deep faith in God, and the false history he created for himself throughout his career the story becomes a multi-layered tale that any reader expects from a good book.â€
Alvarado’s biography comes with a CD of Hernandez’s most memorable calls and is available at www.voiceofsantaanita.com. Alvarado’s interview on Weekend America coincided with the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby, a race that Hernandez called live for racing fans at Churchill Downs in 1950. A recording of Hernandez’s dynamic call of Middleground’s victory was eventually produced and copies were distributed to over 60,000 racing fans throughout the United States.
