RIP Larry Brooks

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

Awful news. The legendary NY Post hockey columnist died today a brief battle with cancer. His leave of absence was only announced three weeks ago. A throwback to the best days of the business, when you woke up every morning wondering what the beat writer or columnist wrote in the paper. A no-bull**** guy who shy from confrontation, a must on the modern day MSG/Rangers beat. But there's a wonderful anecdote in Mike Vaccaro's obit about John Tortorella reaching out to Brooks recently.

RIP Brooksie: Larry Brooks, Post legend and Hall of Fame hockey writer, dead at 75

Rangers beat writer Mollie Walker, whom Brooks took under his wing, also wrote a beautiful tribute:

Partnering with The Post’s iconic Larry Brooks created forever memories on and off the ice: ‘I wish we had more time’

Nobody did it better. RIP Larry.

 

[Liut]

Thank you for posting, BYH 2.
I learned of this news this morning. Didn't share here because was curious if anyone else would. Or if anyone here would know who the hell he was.
Very deserving of the Elmer Ferguson honor.
A legendary hockey writer has died.
RIP Mr. Brooks.

 

[maumann]

Man, those are wonderful tributes. To be considered the "expert" in some facet of your job is really a feather in one's cap. You're the go-to guy. Sounds like Larry was definitely that, especially when the subjects of your stories and columns aren't always appreciative of constructive criticism, as it were.

To hear that the players respected him is a massive honor. I tried my best to follow the guideline that "I don't care if you love what I wrote or hate what I wrote, as long as you respect that what I wrote were the facts I had at that moment in time."

RIP. Take a lap around Heaven's rink.

 

[Deskgrunt50]

The Post sports department has a lot of talent, and Brooksie was at the top of that list. He was excellent, and his writing was accessible to people who aren’t hard-core hockey fans like me. And he was clearly loved by his colleagues and audience, and respected by the people he covered.