This is the column I never, ever wanted to write.
Maybe because there’s so much I want to say, but don’t know how to say it. Or maybe, it’s because it’s just too hard, too painful to write about people and experiences I may very well never visit again.
For 19 months and nine days, I had the privilege of being The Examiner’s sports editor with the greatest job ever: to turn blank pages of newspaper into works of art, using each story, headline, photograph as brush stroke. Most days, we –not just I because I’ll be forever grateful for my staff having a work ethic that I appreciated so much they’ll never know — produced masterpieces. And some days, well, we just did the best job we possibly could to make sure our readers enjoyed reading what we produced.
So many games, so many events, so many people –The Examiner can’t afford to buy the amount of newsprint I’d need to thank all of the high school coaches who took our late-night phone calls to make sure we had accurate statistics for their third-leading scorer; the sports information directors who always made their coaches and student-athletes available for interviews; for Ravens coach John Harbaugh displaying the utmost class by coming to our office to meet with us shortly after being hired; to all the Ravens, Orioles and Blast players and coaches who spoke with our reporters.
You didn’t need to, but you did — thank you.
It was a great run. It’s not often you get to be part of something that’s much bigger than yourself, a company that many believed was doomed from the start. Sure, we’re out of business, but it wasn’t because of what we wrote.
We beat perception, just not the economy.
I’m as saddened by losing my job as much as I am for our readers, who no longer will get to read about what’s going on in their backyard.
Our sports section didn’t run NBA or NHL standings –we dedicated our space to our local college teams, whose stories and accomplishments will now largely go unheard.
Our sports section made an effort to avoid running long stories that originated in other places. Why? Because our readers don’t live in other places –they live in the Baltimore area.
To all the teams we covered, to all the athletes who let us into their lives, know this: We tried to cover you with the same passion, regardless of how many tickets your team sold or whether your games were televised.
And I have my reporters to thank for making that happen.
To Sean Welsh: Your passion for Baltimore sports shined brightly in every word you typed. Without you, we wouldn’t have awards hanging on the wall.
To Ron Snyder: You were a fantastic assistant sports editor, but even better Ravens and NFL writer. From the locker room to the field, you covered the Ravens better than anyone.
To Dave Carey: Of all the managerial decisions I made, the best was hiring a kid with a sports management degree from York College who had little sports writing experience.
Your desire to be great will make you successful in all of your endeavors.
But as I leave 400 E. Pratt St. for the final time, here’s what I’ll also always remember: Jeni Mann’s smile; Kelly Carson’s storytelling; Karl Hille’s computer expertise; Therese Umerlik’s maternal instincts; Regina Holmes’ demeanor; Marta Hummel’s philosophy; Emily Campbell and Jessica’s Novak’s ability to Pan & Praise, but never hurt; Bimbo and Oogie’s pigskin-picking prowess; Michael Phelps’ advice; Boyd Pfeiffer’s vernacular; Michael Olesker’s wisdom; Anne Boone-Simanski’s fashion sense; Carrie Peirce’s ability to mix violence with professionalism; Luke Broadwater’s tireless work ethic; Stephen Janis’ ability to make me care about people I never wish to meet; Andrew Cannarsa’s prose; Aaron Cahall’s candor; Jamie Malarkey’s attitude; Mike Silvestri’s relentlessness; Sara Michael’s scientific approach; Jason Flanagan’s paternal instincts; Josh Kowalkowski’s growth as a journalist; Frank Keegan’s vision; Mike Beatty’s love of sports; Erin Dore’s patience; Effie Dawson’s friendship; Gary Lambrecht’s insight; Tony Giro’s humor; Mike Marlow’s mentoring and pursuit to ensure the past is never forgotten; And of course, Tim Maier’s unwielding support and hiring me for the greatest job I’ve ever had.
And to all, I say: Thanks for a wonderful 591 days.
