RIP Jim O'Connell

Word just starting to spread by his friends on Facebook. God bless him.

 

AP Basketball Writer Jim O'Connell dead at age 64

 

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but was O'Connell as great a writer as the obit suggests? I just don't remember or can't seem to recall any great pieces of work he did. All I remember was him doing gamers. If anyone, can add some insight, I'd appreciate their thoughts.

 

Doc... Jim ''Oc'' O'Connell would never be regarded as a ``great writer'' by the people who judge such things on these boards, and apply such labels. (I did not read the obit you referenced; or maybe I did, but I don't remember the details). But I think -- or hope -- that most of us would hold out a separate place in our collective memories for people who are hard-working, passionate and quirky, and beyond that, beholden most of all to family and friends. Oc loved basketball and basketball people and yes, he could knock out a clean gamer right on the buzzer that was never heavily stylized but was always a little better, and a little more insightful than the usual AP copy. He also worked thousands of night-desk shifts at the AP when college basketball was out of season. There are plenty of stories. It's fair to say he was a sports journalist from the generation previous to this one. I attended Oc's wake and funeral in NYC; there was sadness, but also a lot of celebration and love. Oc was a family man (wife and two boys about whom we all heard stories as they grew up; two sisters) and a great friend to many. He lived his entire life in a small circle in Queens and it seemed like everyone in that circle paid respects. I realize none of this makes Oc different from a cascade of good people who die every day. Back to your original point: Oc wasn't a great writer. But he was a pro and he worked hard and he loved the business and the games and people he covered. And he made a lot of people laugh along the way. Chris Dufresne and Mark Blaudschun both knew Oc better than I did and each wrote tributes that are easily searched if you're inclined.

 

I didn't know him well but got to know him in recent years by running quotes for him at numerous games at MSG and Barclays. Even though I didn't write those game stories, it was a thrill to know the quotes I was getting for him appeared in those gamers and one of the highlights for me in terms of sports media. I also attended the wake, the first session and was worried I'd be early but instead it was packed already and only getting more crowded. Just a testament to the type of human being he was

 

RIP Jim O’Connell: The world is less funny today

The funniest man in sports–RIP

 

Great reply, and thank you for your insight. You painted a very nice picture, one that makes me wish I had known OC or had at least met him. I didn't remember much about his stories, couldn't remember if he was all that great of a writer or not. Still, there is plenty to be said about being a great reporter. Sounds like a good guy. Sorry for your loss.