Al Martinez retires, and an old favorite

Al Martinez is a long-time columnist for the L.A. Times who was almost forced into retirement last year, wrote one farewell column, then was brought back and wrote another farewell column today.

Martinez is one of my favorites. His farewell column is fairly standard fare, although well written in the typical Martinez style.

http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-me-martinez19-2009jan19,0,7749520.column

But what it brought back to mind is one of my all-time favorite columns, a Christmas story.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20031228/ai_n14560773

If you haven't read it before, hope you enjoy it.

 

Holy crap, SF. That line from Reck just about killed me.

Great column.

 

I second SF's sentiment on Al Martinez. In addition to being a great writer, in my few dealings with him, he's been a great guy. I only wish I could've sat down for a journalism session in some seedy bar one time.

 

Note the several Redwood references in his final column.

 

Email Al. He would be happy to. I guarantee it.