😢⚾ St. Louis Loses its Baseball Bard: Renowned Reporter Rick Hummel Checks Out at 77
TL;DR; 💡
St. Louis bids farewell to Rick Hummel, the venerated baseball writer who redefined sports journalism for the St. Louis Cardinals and Major League Baseball over five decades. Hummel, lovingly referred to as “The Commish”, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a brief illness. Always sporting a quirky hat and never misquoting, Hummel’s presence on and off the field will be greatly missed.
📰 Story Time, Folks! 📚
Can you remember a time when baseball wasn’t just about the runs and home runs, but about the legends scribbling away in the press box, immortalizing every pitch and swing? Those were the days, my friends, and one of those legend-makers was Rick Hummel, the baseball writer who had the Major League Baseball scene all wrapped up for five decades.
Nicknamed “The Commish,” not for any dictatorial tendencies but for the football board game he ran with his pals, Hummel was a larger-than-life figure in the baseball realm. So widespread was his fame that even the baseball Commissioners Rob Manfred and Bud Selig embraced his endearing nickname. Bet you didn’t see that coming, huh? 🕵️♂️
Now, let’s rewind. Born in 1946 in Quincy, Illinois, Hummel got his start in journalism right after his stint in the U.S. Army, covering baseball for the Colorado Springs Free Press/Sun. He then landed a gig with the Post-Dispatch in 1971 and there was no looking back from there.
During his career, Hummel covered everything from World Series championships to legendary home run chases, always with his unique brand of storytelling. Remember that epic Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa home run chase of ’98? Hummel was the maestro weaving that tale.
As the 2006 winner of the Hall of Fame’s J.G. Taylor Spink Award for outstanding contributions to baseball writing and a four-time Missouri Sportswriter of the Year, Hummel leaves behind a legacy that is nothing short of extraordinary. But, let’s not forget that amidst all these accolades, he was still a guy who rocked mismatched pants and made players and fans alike smile. Talk about living life on your own terms! 🏅😎
Ever wondered how you’d handle the transition from typewriters to tweets? Hummel said he was “dragged into the 21st century kicking and screaming.” But hey, who needs 280 characters when you’ve got a knack for crafting memorable narratives, right?
His love for the game and his profession also led him to author several books, one of them with Tom Seaver and Bob Nightengale, adding another feather to his already crowded cap.
But as we raise our hats (hopefully not as goofy as Hummel’s) to honor this baseball journalism legend, we’re left with a question. In a digital age where tweets and soundbites often overshadow in-depth reporting, will we ever see another Hummel? Will the lore and legend of the game continue to find a voice amidst the cacophony of hot takes and 24/7 news cycles? 🤔
Disclaimer: This article is a factual recounting of events and is not intended to provide investment or any other form of advice.
