Book-The Red Smith Reader

Red Smith was one of the most read sports columnists in the country, from the 1940s-the late 70s. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his work, and I regard him not only as a good sports writer, but a great essayist.

The Red Smith Reader collects about 130 of his essays, on many subjects. And while i could have used fewer columns on horse racing, Smith has a style all his own. At his best he is poetic and his prose sings. But he also has a sharp tongue that reflect his opinions. Some of his best columns take shots at Olympic officials, such as when they continued the games in '72 after the killings of several of the Israeli team in the Olympic Park. He takes them rightly to task as they try to justify their decision by saying the "political" events should not interfere with games.

He also turns his pointed pen on college officials and how they use and abuse student athletes, preparing them for neither life without athletics nor life in pro sports. They want to profit from these young athletes, but give little back in return. He finds the hypocrisy palpable.

Red Smith was at his best talking about people. His columns about fishing with his son, and later his grandson are quiet and lyrical. In these columns he is as good as any essayist he looked up to, including E. B. White.

Red Smith was also great friends with San Diego's Jack Murphy, and nice local connection.

For decades Smith produced 7 columns a week, a tremendous amount of output. He was a craftsman, working hard on every column. The works shows.