George Vecsey to stop writing his column and semi-retire from NYT

[Double Down]

Regardless of how you feel about his work, he's a very kind man.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/17/sports/with-one-more-from-the-heart-a-columnist-steps-away-george-vecsey.html?src=tp&smid=fb-share

 

[Quakes]

A classy farewell. I noticed Schreiber and Laura Vescey in the comments section, too.

I'm curious about something. Vescey talks about following in the footsteps of Dave Anderson and Red Smith to write the "Sports of the Times" column. I guess I've never paid attention to this, but is only one Times columnist at a time assigned ownership (for lack of a better word) of the "Sports of the Times" column? I sort of assumed that every column in the Times sports section fell under the "Sports of the Times" banner, but perhaps I'm wrong. Is what Harvey Araton or William C. Rhoden writes not "Sports of the Times"?

 

[21]

A classy farewell. I noticed Schreiber and Laura Vescey in the comments section, too.

I'm curious about something. Vescey talks about following in the footsteps of Dave Anderson and Red Smith to write the "Sports of the Times" column. I guess I've never paid attention to this, but is only one Times columnist at a time assigned ownership (for lack of a better word) of the "Sports of the Times" column? I sort of assumed that every column in the Times sports section fell under the "Sports of the Times" banner, but perhaps I'm wrong. Is what Harvey Araton or William C. Rhoden writes not "Sports of the Times"?

Harvey and Rhoden both wrote for that space as did a select few others. Not every column in the Times was 'Sports of the Times.'

 

[Joe Williams]

"Sports of the Times" (New York Times)
"In the Wake of the News" (Chicago Tribune)

Archaic crap from days when newspapers mattered. And even then, I can't understand what the distinction was to have Vecsey writing under the SOTT label and Rhoden, Araton or whomever writing columns without it.

Did readers ever give a rat's ass about those headings?

Seems like a whole lot of "Assistant Regional Manager" vs. "Assistant to the Regional Manager" title B.S.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Regardless of how you feel about his work, he's a very kind man.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/17/sports/with-one-more-from-the-heart-a-columnist-steps-away-george-vecsey.html?src=tp&smid=fb-share

Guy's a pro.

Hate to lose another.

 

[goalmouth]

The man was as affable as could be to a know-nothing bridge-and-tunnel schlemiel on his first national gig, and for that I am grateful.

 

[Joe Lapointe]

George was (is) a pro's pro. A team player. A great talent. More open-minded and curious than some people half his age.

 

[mrbio]

A very kind man, approachable and friendly.

 

[ringer]

When he mentioned Selena Roberts, it made me realize how rarely I ever see her byline in SI.

What the heck do they have her doing over there?

Talk about under-utilized!

 

[Double Down]

I think she might be on book leave.

 

[EditingTool]

I'm a fan. I think he's underrated. Not a shouting type of columnist, more of a storyteller.
But in the face of injustice, he can bring it with the best of them.

An easy-to-read style, elegant in its way.
His wisdom and decency come off the page.

Covered soccer as if he knew it would catch on over here -- as usual, he was right.
Congratulations on a great career.

 

[Versatile]

I've read Roberts is on book leave, as well.

The "Sports of the Times" is basically a way of saying "This Is A Big Deal Column," often with a broad approach, as opposed to, say, the "On [Sport]" columns that are sports specific. But there's not a lot of consistency. Rhoden, Vecsey and, when he makes an appearance, Anderson consistently write (until now) with the "Sports of the Times" sig. I don't think Araton has had a "Sports of the Times" sig on his columns for a few years now. Mostly "On [Sport]" or just straight feature stories.

 

[mpcincal]

DD, your opening comment makes it sound like he's a real polarizing figure or something. I'm a West Coaster, so I haven't read much of his stuff, but from every comment I've read about him here or elsewhere, he seems to be universally liked and respected.

Now, PETER Vecsey, on the other hand...

 

[Versatile]

DD, your opening comment makes it sound like he's a real polarizing figure or something. I'm a West Coaster, so I haven't read much of his stuff, but from every comment I've read about him here or elsewhere, he seems to be universally liked and respected.

Now, PETER Vecsey, on the other hand...

Universally respected. Some people think George is prickly. But all people think Peter is a prick.

 

[Double Down]

I think George is a wonderful man, and I've enjoyed his work. I'm not going to pretend like I was his biggest fan, but I liked a lot of it. I know plenty of people, however, who complained that he was a bore. I think that happens to guys who try to write eloquently, and don't lob firebombs very often. If ever.

 

[Double Down]

A good Q&A here with George.

http://www.wplucey.com/2011/12/a-departing-q-a-with-george-vecsey.html

Sad that he and Peter no longer appear to even be on speaking terms. At least that's what I gather from George's answer about how they "don't share much these days."

If you've never read Scott Price's story about the two of them, it's one of my favorite things Prince has ever done, and maybe one of the best bonus pieces SI has run in the last 20 years.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1013062/1/index.htm

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Hopefully he can devote himself to having his brother killed. :D

 

[Ben_Hecht]

A good Q&A here with George.

http://www.wplucey.com/2011/12/a-departing-q-a-with-george-vecsey.html

Sad that he and Peter no longer appear to even be on speaking terms. At least that's what I gather from George's answer about how they "don't share much these days."

If you've never read Scott Price's story about the two of them, it's one of my favorite things Prince has ever done, and maybe one of the best bonus pieces SI has run in the last 20 years.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1013062/1/index.htm

Loved it . . . especially, George, who wouldn't say **** if he had a mouthful, taking off the gloves and treating King George III like the rat**** he was.

 

[beardpuller]

I think George is a wonderful man, and I've enjoyed his work. I'm not going to pretend like I was his biggest fan, but I liked a lot of it. I know plenty of people, however, who complained that he was a bore. I think that happens to guys who try to write eloquently, and don't lob firebombs very often. If ever.

Indeedy. He was no Skip Bayless, that's for sure.
I like George and his approach an awful lot.

 

[CHETtheJET]

He would take the train into the city from port Washington and always had time for a chat. I liked his bob welch bio and he was sad it was no longer in print because the message was increasingly relevant.