Oldest working sports writer in the world dies

[HarryNutsack]

Michael Strauss, a sports writer for 75 years, died Saturday at age 96. Strauss, who was the sports editor of the Palm Beach Daily News, wrote for the New York Times for 50 years before retiring to Palm Beach in 1982. He was the sports editor for the Palm Beach Daily News since then. By his own count, Strauss covered more than 60 different sports in 20 states and on four continents in his career at the Times. Apparently, he was the oldest working sports writer in the world.

http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/content/community/2008/10/12/WebStraussobit1012.html

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Has my full respect, but can't resist:

He got out, just in time.

 

[dooley_womack1]

I'm not sure about the gravitas about this announcement, given that it was delivered by HarryNutsack!

 

[Mystery_Meat]

Should I make the obvious joke about how I was worried we just lost one of our biggest posters?

I already did? Ew.

Sounds like a good guy. Hope someone primed that pump for the stories he could tell.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

So, in 1933, he could have been covering Ruth, Gehrig, done a gamer on the first NFL championship game (Giants/Bears at Wrigley Field) or written about the Eagles or Steelers being founded....

RIP, Mr. Strauss. We who are reading this can only hope to have a life so long.

 

[casty33]

Mike was an occasional fill-in on the baseball beat when I was covering and I will admit he was a real nut. We were going through customs at the Montreal airport once when he said to the agent, "You got that $1,000 you were going to lend me?" I thought we were going to get arrested but Strauss started laughing, then the agent did, too. He was fun to be around for a short period, but I don't think he knew what he was writing half the time.

RIP to the man from the NY Times, who always liked to announce that to anyone within ear shot.

 

[spnited]

Like Casty I crossed paths with him only a few times and he always seemed a bit eccentric and he always made sure to introduce himself as of THE NEW YORK TIMES very loudly.
There is a story (I did not witness this) that he was unhappy with his eggs or something at a hotel coffee shop in Philly once and when the waiter's response didn't satisfy him he supposedly said "Then get your manager and tell him Michael Strauss of THE NEW TORK TIMES wishes to speak to him right now."

RIP

 

[playthrough]

The three words that struck me were "Times ski editor." Times have changed just a little.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Are we sure management didn't have him killed so they wouldn't have to pay him two weeks for every year worked?

 

[trifectarich]

The way our 401k accounts are going, we'll have his record beaten before you know it.

 

[TwoGloves]

Are we sure management didn't have him killed so they wouldn't have to pay him two weeks for every year worked?

That would be the buyout of all buyouts.

 

[Drip]

RIP. The only other guy that I knew who did this crap in his 90's was Willie Klein.

 

[BillyT]

Those of you in Connecticut may remember the initimable John William Randolph "Jack" Cruise, who was still reporting in his late 70s/early 80s.

Tie and suit jacket. Politest man I ever met. Always brought a lawn chair. Devout, pious and one of the last of the breed.

He was a strictly local guy, and he figured there were at least two situations where he covered a man, his son and his grandson in high school/college sports.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

So, in 1933, he could have been covering Ruth, Gehrig, done a gamer on the first NFL championship game (Giants/Bears at Wrigley Field) or written about the Eagles or Steelers being founded....

RIP, Mr. Strauss. We who are reading this can only hope to have a life so long.

And he probably covered North Bum**** JV soccer and how hard the kids worked in his spare time as well.

RIP.

 

[spnited]

RIP. The only other guy that I knew who did this crap in his 90's was Willie Klein.

Not even close, drip.

Willie was forced to retire at 83, died at 87.

 

[Drip]

RIP. The only other guy that I knew who did this crap in his 90's was Willie Klein.

Not even close, drip.

Willie was forced to retire at 83, died at 87.

My bad. Thought he was older.

 

[Joe Williams]

We've had an "old sports journalists" thread elsewhere, but the baton now is held by ...?

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I can name a few who I think are in their late 70s or early 80s, but no one close to 90.

 

[Magic In The Night]

Used to run across Mr. Strauss while reporting in Florida. He was the very definition of crusty old sportswriter. But in a good way.

 

[Some Guy]

I'm not sure about the gravitas about this announcement, given that it was delivered by HarryNutsack!

And it was the guy's first post. Meaning, he consciously signed up with that handle with the express purpose of delivering this solemn news.

It might say something about my maturity level, but I think that is awesome.