Jerry Girard, a wise-cracking, knowledgeable and popular Ch. 11 News sportscaster for more than 20 years, died yesterday afternoon in a Westchester hospital. Girard, diagnosed with cancer a year ago, was 74.

After various radio jobs in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Altoona, Pa., and Gary, Ind., Girard joined WPIX in the late 1960s as a news writer. In 1974, he became an on-air sportscaster, and remained synonymous with PIX until he was replaced in 1995, by Sal Marchiano. Girard then left Ch. 11 after refusing a weekend role.

“He was the best; there was no one better,” said David Brodsky, his Ch. 11 producer who is now a coordinating producer at ESPN. “No one cared more about informing the true sports fan.”

Girard, married briefly many years ago, had no children. Funeral arrangements are pending.