Takeout specialists?

Who are some of the best sports takeout writers? Gary Smith, obviously. And some of the other SI and ESPN guys.

But what about newspaper people? What papers still have people specialize in that craft? Or do you have to squeeze it into your spare time among other duties?

I just keep thinking that, though it's counterintuitive, this is our means of remaining relevant in this century.

 

In South Carolina (I don't read the Greenville paper), I can only think of one person in the state who serves as the "takeout" specialist. Kent Babb writes for The State and he does a good job. He's a little over the top sometimes (and I'm certainly not claiming that I'm not), because he's a young writer, but he does a pretty solid job. Other than him, the state of South Carolina doesn't really have a guy who specializes in that.

 

Problem is, a lot of the good ones eventually become columnists. I think papers believe columns take less space, less time to do, and offer a regular schedule for fans of a specific writer. But they are two different kinds of writing. There was a real thinning of the herd in the 1990s. I don't want to rip anyone, but some great takeout people became average columnists.

These days, Wayne Coffey is real good and has been for a long time.

 

Frank is correct. Bill Plaschke comes to mind. He is a real strong takeout writer and nowadays does it within his column format.

 

Start Minor SC threadjack:
You're not missing much by not reading the Greenville paper. Actually, the Clemson reporter for Charleston is decent ... did some very good pieces on the football player who takes care of his brother before everyone else did AND after everyone else did.
End Minor SC threadjack.

 

Continues SC threadjack, but it's on a thread that's already dead.

The Clemson writer for the Charleston paper is a great writer, but he's an even better guy. He bailed me out big-time when we were working at competing papers. I showed up late to a game because another event ran long due to a rain delay. Instead of being a dick, he helped me catch up on the first half of the game. Class act.

 

That was nice ... it must also be nice living and working hours from your editors ...

 

We have at least three at our paper. Problem is, they never get any bylines because, well, we never have any space any more and so we rarely have enough room for anything extra, much less a takeout feature/story

 

You mean this thread isn't about people that specialize in ordering take out food? Doesn't every office need one of those people? ;D

 

Since we're on the subject, where did the term "takeout" originate?
I've been wondering that for 25 years in the business. Was always too embarrassed to ask anybody.

 

Saslow at the Post, as someone said already, is very, very good. And very, very young. There was a Q&A with him recently on one of the sports media web sites, can't remember which one. Pretty interesting read.