Page 1 of 1
RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:17 am
by Superbone
Gilmartin was a big time Suns sports writer back in the day. He was 88.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... 380840002/
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.”
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:24 pm
by The Bobster
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!
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 11:39 pm
by LazarusLong
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.
"Suns in six!"
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2018 7:48 pm
by Cap
LazarusLong wrote:
"Suns in six!"
A little ashamed to admit I don’t know, but what’s the history of this?
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2018 9:19 pm
by The Bobster
Cap wrote:LazarusLong wrote:
"Suns in six!"
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.
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 12:01 am
by LazarusLong
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.”
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:22 am
by Superbone
https://twitter.com/FOXSPORTSAZ/status/969388815977623552
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 11:35 am
by Nodack
RIP Joe. May his spirit get to witness a Suns Championship.
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 12:04 pm
by Cap
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.
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 3:16 pm
by LazarusLong
Cap wrote: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.
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 3:39 pm
by Charlie Smithy!
...and hot rod Williams.
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 7:53 pm
by The Bobster
LazarusLong wrote:Cap wrote: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.....
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 12:43 am
by LazarusLong
McCoy McLemore (one of my all time favorite NBA player names, just behind Hawthorne Wingo ...)
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 4:51 am
by The Bobster
Plus coaches Butch van Breda Kolff, Red Kerr and Scotty Robertson, broadcaster Bob Vache, and PA announcer Stan Richards.
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 8:38 am
by LazarusLong
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.
Re: RIP Joe Gilmartin
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 11:07 am
by Indy
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!"