Updated: RIP T.J. Simers

Surprised there isn't a thread.

T.J.'s been posting on socials about his brain tumor for several weeks.

Here's part of a post last night on FB:

Got the tumor news I was expecting, so going to Vegas next week and don’t give a rip what I lose. Taking a hospital bed, wheelchair and hoyer to Vegas; what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. The whole family is coming because losing a chunk of my brain wasn’t enough, I need help on who to bet on. Please don’t say UCLA. I want you to have credibility. Come on, I need a sure-fire winner. Don’t make me read a pics column by Plaschke. I don’t have much time but I know Plaschke isn’t gonna save the day. I wonder why he hasn’t called to do a tear jerker.​

This is from a February 21 tweet:

 

I send TJ the best regards of the household, and wish him well.

 

From a story nine years ago during his lawsuit against the LAT.

https://www.courthousenews.com/sports-writer-testifies-stroke-led-to-firing/

 

Well, this is awkward.

Expect SJ to take a haircut as a tenth of posts get deleted criticizing the ailing athletic authority.

 

I mean, assholes also get tumors. I hope he recovers, although that doesn’t sound like it is in the cards. But that doesn’t erase him treating people like dirt.

 

TJ is a good curmudgeon, a dying breed in a day when evehas to have a hot take. And while he'd take on the likes of Frank McCourt in not a nice way, especially after the Bryan Stow incident, a few days later he'd write about some of the desperately ill kids at Mattel Children's Hospital that would put you on the brink of tears. And if you can find it on YouTube, the dialog he hosted with Vin Scully and John Wooden is a must-see for any SoCal sports fan.

 

Based on my own few direct interactions with him but also a lot of observations and listens from a close vantage point in the office, I always thought, well, like reporter when it came to Simers, and believed his writing was kind of a separate thing from who he is.

So, I never had too much problem with him, and only wish him well now.

 

RIP.

x.com

 

Assuming his obit will be on Page 2?

(Mods, do we need a header update?)

 

Here's a link to the event. An amazing night.

 

I enjoyed reading his stories. RIP.