Takeout specialists?

[KnuteRockne]

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.

 

[SCEditor]

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.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

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.

 

[Flying Headbutt]

Eli Saslow at the Washington Post is easily among the tops, and the kid is only like 12 years old, or something like that. Okay, more like 23-24. BTW he did an excellent job on the latest plight of a high school kid in a wheel chair trying to force her way into track events.

 

[fishwrapper]

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.

 

[Write-brained]

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.

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.

 

[SCEditor]

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.

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 ****, he helped me catch up on the first half of the game. Class act.

 

[Write-brained]

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.

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 ****, 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 ...

 

[zagoshe]

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

 

[EStreetJoe]

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

 

[Twoback]

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.

 

[Willie-Butch]

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.

 

[blondebomber]

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.

It was started by the same guy who invented the -30- at the end of press releases.

 

[SoSueMe]

Today is this first time I've ever heard of the term. Someone enlighten me, please?

 

[fishwrapper]

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.

It was started by the same guy who invented the -30- at the end of press releases.

Wow. I'm about to sound like the old guy:
Teletype symbols so one could discern the state of the story...
-30- was used long before "press releases."

-10- = first lede
-20- = first lede writethru, more tk
-30- = optional. end of transmission.

(-30- = nowadays just means end of send.)

Historical root: "-30-" has been used to signify "the end" or "over and out" since the Civil War when telegraphers tapped "XXX" to end transmissions. "XXX" is the Roman numeral for 30.

Here is a full list of the wire signals. You'll recognize some. They've been used for over 150 years, and if there are other military vets on the board, they can tell you some of the signals are still used today.

1  Wait a moment 
2  Important Business 
3  What time is it? 
4  Where shall I go ahead? 
5  Have you business for me? 
6  I am ready 
7  Are you ready? 
8  Close your key; circuit is busy 
9  Close your key for priorit business (Wire chief, dispatcher, etc) 
10  Keep this circuit closed 
12  Do you understand? 
13  I understand 
14  What is the weather? 
15  For you and other to copy 
17  Lightning here 
18  What is the trouble? 
19  Form 19 train order 
21  Stop for a meal 
22  Wire test 
23  All copy 
24  Repeat this back 
25  Busy on another wire 
26  Put on ground wire 
27  Priority, very important 
28  Do you get my writing? 
29  Private, deliver in sealed envelope 
30  No more (end) 
31  Form 31 train order 
32  I understand that I am to ... 
33  Car report (Also, answer is paid for) 
34  Message for all officers 
35  You may use my signal to answer this 
37  Diversion (Also, inform all interested) 
39  Important, with priority on thru wire (Also, sleep-car report) 
44  Answer promptly by wire 
73  Best regards 
88  Love and kisses 
91  Superintendant's signal 
92  Deliver promptly 
93  Vice President and General Manager's signals 
95  President's signal 
134  Who is at the key? 

 

[SoSueMe]

And "takeout writer" comes from where? What does it mean?

 

[fishwrapper]

"Takeout" or "feature" writer are one in the same. The terms are interchangeable, these days.
Originally, it was in reference to a magazine writer who had a spread over several pages, consecutively.
Therefore, if the reader wanted save the article and ditch the rest of the magazine (I suppose the term was viable in newspapers as well), he/she would "take out" the consecutive pages of the piece and save.
Today, it is pretty much a colloquialism.

 

[fishwrapper]

Sidebar:
Buckweaver and Frank_Ridgeway would be proud of those last two posts...
Being the history and newspaper nuts they are.
(Frank, that's a compliment.)

 

[shockey]

kevin manahan, newark star-ledger, does splendid takeout work.

 

[FileNotFound]

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.

It was started by the same guy who invented the -30- at the end of press releases.

Wow. I'm about to sound like the old guy:
Teletype symbols so one could discern the state of the story...
-30- was used long before "press releases."

-10- = first lede
-20- = first lede writethru, more tk
-30- = optional. end of transmission.

(-30- = nowadays just means end of send.)

Historical root: "-30-" has been used to signify "the end" or "over and out" since the Civil War when telegraphers tapped "XXX" to end transmissions. "XXX" is the Roman numeral for 30.

Here is a full list of the wire signals. You'll recognize some. They've been used for over 150 years, and if there are other military vets on the board, they can tell you some of the signals are still used today.

1 Wait a moment
2 Important Business
3 What time is it?
4 Where shall I go ahead?
5 Have you business for me?
6 I am ready
7 Are you ready?
8 Close your key; circuit is busy
9 Close your key for priorit business (Wire chief, dispatcher, etc)
10 Keep this circuit closed
12 Do you understand?
13 I understand
14 What is the weather?
15 For you and other to copy
17 Lightning here
18 What is the trouble?
19 Form 19 train order
21 Stop for a meal
22 Wire test
23 All copy
24 Repeat this back
25 Busy on another wire
26 Put on ground wire
27 Priority, very important
28 Do you get my writing?
29 Private, deliver in sealed envelope
30 No more (end)
31 Form 31 train order
32 I understand that I am to ...
33 Car report (Also, answer is paid for)
34 Message for all officers
35 You may use my signal to answer this
37 Diversion (Also, inform all interested)
39 Important, with priority on thru wire (Also, sleep-car report)
44 Answer promptly by wire
73 Best regards
88 Love and kisses
91 Superintendant's signal
92 Deliver promptly
93 Vice President and General Manager's signals
95 President's signal
134 Who is at the key?

Great stuff. Did not know that explanation for -30-. Shows that 20 years in the business is really not all that long. I'm proud of myself for knowing the origins of "rim" and "slot."

As for takeout writers: Am a big fan of Juliet Macur, NYT. That guy at The Washington Post, can't remember his name, the one that did the Josh Hamilton story, he doesn't suck in the least either. John Erardi of the Cincinnati Enquirer occasionally spins a very good tale.