A legend slows down

New York Times' Anderson redefines his role

By TOM JOLLY
Sports Editor
New York Times

Story posted on Sept. 17, 2007

Dave Anderson

At a moment like this, direct seems best: Dave Anderson is retiring from regular column writing, effective Sunday.

Fortunately for us, that does not mean he will stop writing his column altogether. Instead, he will move into a kind of emeritus role, writing 18 columns a year (or more), primarily for Sundays, but also on Thanksgiving Day.

Anderson says he doesn't want any parties or toasts, and he's adamant about that. He adds that he doesn't want any farewells because he isn't going to stop writing.

Still, it's a chance to reflect on a man of rare grace and humility, a consummate professional with an impeccable reputation.

Simply put, he's a legend. Naturally, he laughed when I said that.

No one else would think it laughable, though. Just consider what he has accomplished since joining the Times in 1966 and becoming a columnist in 1971:

► A Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary in 1981.

► The Red Smith Award for distinguished sports column writing in 1994.

► Induction into the National Sports Writers and Sportscasters Hall of Fame in 1990.

► The Nat Fleischer Award for excellence in boxing journalism in 1971.

► The E.P. Dutton and the Page One award for the best sports feature story of the year in 1972 (the return of heavyweight champion Joe Frazier to his Beaufort, S.C., hometown).

► The E.P. Dutton Award for best magazine sports story ("The Longest Day of Sugar Ray" in True magazine) in 1965.

Oh, and he has written 21 books and more than 350 magazine articles.

And, as he says, he's not finished. We look forward to this next chapter, and – who knows? – perhaps a few more books.

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