Plain Dealer buyouts, half dozen in sports

Bob was a great pitcher.

He remains a remarkable egomaniac.

 

"In more recent years, I did a lot of nostalgia writing, with many of the stories reprinted in the book, 'Heroes, Scamps and Good Guys.' I conducted the Glad You Asked feature the last 13 years. "

I wrote a book review of this for the PD when it came out. Bob Dolgan sent me a handwritten letter thanking me for the review and even noted the one minor criticism I had and said if there were a future edition perhaps it could be changed. A young journalist could do worse than follow his example.

 

I had forgotten about "Glad You Asked." That was my favorite feature growing up, in the days before you could just use Google to find answers to difficult questions. I submitted a question once when I was about 12. Sadly, it was never published.

 

One of the nicest people in the history of the world and someone I consider a real friend in the business. And a hell of a journalist. I hope he's going out on his own terms.

 

Still is. Amazing thing is that the old man lives about 30 minutes south of me in his hometown of Van Meter (I'm in Des Moines). Just as surly and badass to the local guys as he is to the national guys [/Hi Mike Claiborne], and yet fans still adore him like a freaking god in Iowa.

 

And a f'n stud, too. Just ask him.

 

I think I have the record for shortest printed response to Glad You Asked: Have there ever been any switch-pitchers in the major leagues?

No.

 

Props to Killick. . . he had this story almost a month ago.

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/32328/

Technically, this thread is a D_B

 

Great, great old-school column. Clip this one and keep it. Remember how the old-timers write. Bare bones. No fluff. Almost Hemingwayesque. Pristine.

Love the guy named Cobbledick also