Gilmartin was named Arizona Sportswriter of the year a record 16 times and retired from the Republic after the Gazette merged with the morning paper.
He was best known for his coverage of the Phoenix Suns. He wrote a book – “The Little Team That Could … And Darn Near Did,” - about the 1975-76 Suns team that reached the NBA Finals and served as the Suns’ color analyst. He was named the first president of the Professional Basketball Writer Association in 1972 and in 2004 was inducted into the Hall of Fame as the Curt Gowdy Award winner.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Joe’s passing," the Suns said in a statement. "A Hall of Fame writer, Joe knew the game as well as anyone, but he coupled that knowledge with the unique ability to report with his trademark humor, a trait that matched his lovable personality. Joe always greeted you with a smile and it’s his warm nature that will be missed more than anything. Our thoughts are with all of Joe’s family and friends.”
I enjoyed reading his column every day in The Phoenix Gazette, and remember him from the early days on Dimension Cable and American Cable.
As for his book, mine is looking really ratty from multiple readings over the years.
RIP Joe!
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
Gilmartin admitted to being a bit of a homer, but his columns were still great reads.
He was the best reporter to cover Suns in the franchise's history.
A little ashamed to admit I don’t know, but what’s the history of this?
Joe seemed to predict it for every series.
Then it became his little inside joke for his readers.
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
As Connie Hawkins' career with the Suns started winding down, The Hawk started "pacing" himself more and more.
Gilmartin had the most diplomatic take of the situation:
"The Hawk was a work of art -- on some nights poetry in motion, on some nights, still life.”
Nodack wrote:RIP Joe. May his spirit get to witness a Suns Championship.
In the meantime, he can watch Nick Vanos, Johnny High, Connie Hawkins, Dennis Johnson and Neal Walk again, coached by Cotton.
... as well as Art Harris, Mo Lucas and Wayman Tisdale.
Gus Johnson, Paul Stovall, Jackson Vroman, Rodney Knowles, Phil Lumpkin, Armen Gilliam.....
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
Plus coaches Butch van Breda Kolff, Red Kerr and Scotty Robertson, broadcaster Bob Vache, and PA announcer Stan Richards.
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
The Bobster wrote:Plus coaches Butch van Breda Kolff, Red Kerr and Scotty Robertson, broadcaster Bob Vache, and PA announcer Stan Richards.
Somebody once wrote that van Breda Kolff's name sounded like a German form of bronchitis ...
Stan Richards was one of those old-school radio guys. You'd hear his voice and imagine a six-foot matinee idol.
In real life, he was a bespectacled homunculus of a chap.
You ever hear Scotty Robertson talk? Sounded like Cotton's brother, with same Missouri raspish drawl.
The Bobster wrote:Plus coaches Butch van Breda Kolff, Red Kerr and Scotty Robertson, broadcaster Bob Vache, and PA announcer Stan Richards.
Speaking of PA announcers, really miss Jeff Munn (sp?). I want my PA guy to be announce exactly what recorded, not yell, inflect, or say shit like "checking back in for Joe Crispin, STARrrrrrrr Berrrrrrrry!"
