Seven Sportswriters Who

Bill Simmons has to be on there, however you personally feel about him or his work.

 

Simmons?
But, No Scoop Jackson?
Simmons doesnt qualify as a “sportswriter.” IMO.

I would begrudgingly list Jenkins. I think he’s undeniable.
I would also add Joe Posnaski. Reilly. Heinz. Absolutley Heinz.

Whitlock would garner consdieration before Simmons.

Under no circumstances would I remove Rice. His stuff doesnt hold up well, His style and prose are oit of time, but he was the 1st big-time guy. His phrases are part of Americam lexicom (4 Horseman of Notee Dame and It’s Not Whether You Win or Lose, but How You Played the Game.”

 

Roger Angell.

 

I read a story about Angell in a great memoir where Angell comes off like a colossal prick.

 

Impact?

Ralph Wiley.

 

Sally Jenkins belongs on the list. DeFord. Wilbon.

 

There's a difference between a sports writer Hall of Fame and the Seven Sports Writers With the "Greatest Impact" described in the OP.

Joe Posnanski into that Hall of Fame? Absolutely.

Joe Posnanski as one of the 7? Nope.

Depends how we define 'impact' of course, but I don't think it just means excellence. Nor does it necessarily mean 'influence' on other individual writers. Maybe 'influence on the form' itself.

Is Liebling one of those 7? Maybe.

 

There is a difference between influence and ability. Angell wrote excellent post season summaries for oen hell of a long time. But for most of that time he had unlimited space and flexible deadlines. I don't think he influenced that many sportswriters because the forum in which he wrote was so unique.

 

What about Halberstam?

 

Hall of Fame.

 

Greatest Impact Seven?

Bouton.

 

Howard Bryant thinks Halberstam deserves more.