The five best writers, period.

Dave Eggers is it for me. The most important writer of my generation.

I'd also give another vote to Eli Saslow.

After that, in no order, Charlie Pierce and Lauren Hillenbrand.

I'm at loss for the fifth, but maybe Gary Smith, maybe Scotty Price, maybe Tom Junod, maybe Katherine Boo.

 

Taibbi.

 

Co-sign the TM duo of Hollandsworth and Vine. They're fantastic.

 

I've grown to like Doyel even if I don't read his every column. Sees it different, Writes it different.

 

I just remember Doyel being rabid, so I rarely invest the time. Also, Star = Gannett = journalistic poison.

I guess if I bothered to make a list, Eggers would be on it. But for different reasons.

 

As for this haunt of scribblers, YF above anyone else. It's a joy to watch him make so much skin here itch. He's a fun read when he digs in.

And hey, yo, why don't you go fix a coffee machine, mister coffee machine repairman! !11!!!11!!

 

Was a 3-year period I loved what MacGregor brought to ESPN. Nobody wrote it like he did. He jumped into a different ring of fire, older dog, new refined literary interests, and I haven't read too many of his recent pieces.

Kind of like when Oasis broke up, was difficult to follow their new stuff individually. Wasn't Oasis; Wasn't the same impact.

 

Same. He's a fantastic writer. Sadly, I don't come across his stuff nearly as often since he moved to Indy. That's on me, though. I've done a complete 180 on him over the last 6-7 years. I remember one time blasting him (for probably no good reason) on here and he apparently saw it and called me out when he was on a local radio show in my area. I think it was IJAG who brokered the peace treaty between us, and we've been friendly ever since. Terrific, terrific dude. Glad I wised up.

I hope that asshole doesn't see this.

 

Didn't he challenge you to go three rounds with him in the ring?

And even if that isn't true, that's the way I remember it and it makes for a better story that way.

Doyel's piece on the soccer mom a couple, three weeks ago was epic. Fourth time* a sports story made me cry.

Edit: Maybe third time, on reflection, I can only remember two other occasions. My Blue Heaven by Plaschke and a wire story on a New Year's Day bowl by some AP drone. I believe it was Washington in the Rose Bowl and a player who had been paralyzed came out with the team.

 

Ha. Thankfully, he did not. But there is video of him "fighting" some former UFC fighter for charity.

He also wrote a tremendous piece a while back on his friend who lost her battle with cancer.

 

Getting challenged to a fight by Doyel was like a badge of honor around here for a time.

Akin to being insulted by Whitlock or DoubleDown assigning you a Muppet character.