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McCoy to end Hall of Fame career

Award-winning Reds beat writer announces he will retire at end of season

Ron Alvey Hal McCoy in the press box at Great American Ball Park.

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By Sean McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 11:44 PM Thursday, August 6, 2009

Hal McCoy, who has covered the Cincinnati Reds for the Dayton Daily News since 1973, will retire at the end of the current season, he announced Thursday, Aug. 6.

“I do nothing but thank the paper for permitting me to cover the Reds for 37 years,” said McCoy, 68. “I always told my wife (Nadine) that someday I would have to get a job, but I never did have to.”

In 2002, McCoy was enshrined in the writers’ wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, awarded the J. G. Taylor Spink Award for meritorious contributions to baseball writing. He continued to cover the Reds in 2003 despite a stroke that left him legally blind.

“For more than four decades, Hal has been one of the Dayton Daily News’ best and beloved writers,” said editor Kevin Riley. “He is one of the newspaper’s three sportswriters enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. While we have always appreciated and enjoyed his coverage of the Reds, we know his readers will miss his insights and perspectives.”

McCoy is the reigning Ohio Sportswriter of the Year as determined by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. He is a 10-time winner of the award and the only non-Cincinnati journalist in the Cincinnati Journalism Hall of Fame.

“It’s been a great career for a poor kid who grew up in Lakemore, Ohio (outside Akron),” said McCoy. “I loved baseball, travel and writing. I got to do all three and I got paid for it.”

McCoy has covered one team longer than any baseball beat writer on the scene today. He has won 44 state and national writing awards.

Riley said the newspaper has had a long tradition of covering the Reds and will reassess it in light of McCoy’s retirement.

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is Hal gonna still make ocadional radio apperances for the reds, or is he done with all of it.

Will Hoctor
9:54 AM, 9/17/2009

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Congratulations on a job well done, Hal. I'm sure I speak for all members of East High Class of '58 when I say, "We are proud of you!" Maybe you'll have time to come to a reunion now.

Nedra Spears Black
9:22 AM, 9/7/2009

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Hal,

Enjoy your retirement and live the "Life of Riley." You deserve it. I will sure miss your column. You are the best!!!

Joe Letizia
7:23 AM, 8/25/2009

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Hal. it's been a pleasure reading your coverage of the Reds over the years and listening to you on the radio in the 2nd inning on your turn. Thanks for all the great coverage. I don't think I will need to ever buy another DDN since the DDN will no longer have a Reds Beat Writer. You made it worth buying! Thanks Hal

Sean
8:22 AM, 8/12/2009

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didnt like the DDN, as it being a left wing rag, but ole hal made it worth while putiin up 50 cents or 75 later..., to read some very honest assements of our beloved reds, even thou they ****> its a real smack in the face of this mid 30 yr old, my youth is way gone now. ken griffey jr is bout to retire you know your getting old, since you had his rookie card when he was only 19. well great coverage Hal best in the world and we should be honored to have you as our beat writer.

Matthew Ian Feltner
11:51 AM, 8/10/2009

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