Chicago Tribune's Fred Mitchell is taking the buyout

Fred Mitchell, sports columnist for the Chicago Tribune, is one of the first to announce he's decided to take the latest Tribune Publishing buyout. Fred's been then for 41 years and is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. He'll be missed. Good luck Fred.

Tribune sportswriter Fred Mitchell ending ‘terrific run’

 

I remember he started with the Tribune when I was in high school in the Chicago area, and I met him a few times in the early '80s when I'd occasionally cover Chicago events for a medium-size Midwestern paper. He and Bill Jauss were the two nicest, most down-to-earth Trib sportswriters I encountered. Covered just about everything during his long career, and did so with class.

 

In honor of Frank Ridgeway I won't be nasty here, just to say, if a newspaper really wanted to survive and thrive and a Fred Mitchell asked to take a buyout, the newspaper publisher would say, "You are so valuable Fred, please let us talk you out of this decision." But sadly we all know that's not what happened. When he agreed to accept the buyout, the higher-ups certainly rejoiced. So sad. He is one of the best writers/reporters/newspeople I've ever read/met.

 

I'll second what Bronco said about Mitchell (and Bill Jauss). Two pros who were more than willing to talk to a very green stringer a couple decades ago. Best of luck to Fred in the future.