Farewell, Ron Cook

This is not breaking news at this point, but last week, Ron Cook, long time sports columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and 93.7 The Fan radio host, retired from the business.

Like any good sports columnist, Cook knew how to push buttons among his readers.  Many were the times I read one of his columns and thought "what a grumpy old bastard this guy is", but the very next day, I'd be reading his newest column. Why?  Because (a) Cook did know his stuff, and (b) he was a damn good writer.

In his second gig, that of sports radio talk jock, Cook, along with partner and fellow PG columnist Joe Starkey, offered something that is missing among the current breed of sports talk radio hosts:  Reasoned and mature opinions on the sports matters of the day.  No brash "hot takes" meant to incite listeners and make the phone lines buzz.   The "Cook and Joe Show" was the only show on The Fan that I could listen to for more than fifteen minutes at a time.   It will be interesting to see how the station will proceed with Starkey and that 10:00 to 2:00 time slot going forward.

As for the Post-Gazette, the past decade has seen litany of talented writers leave that organization: Ed Bouchette, Dejan Kovacevic, Barbara Vancheri, Brian O'Neill, Tony Norman, and now Cook, and I am sure that there are others that I have left out.  This says a lot about the shrinking ink-on-paper newspaper business, and it also says something about the PG itself, with it's union busting ways, and the kooky (to be kind) editorial positions that it has taken in recent years.   Who is left at the paper that would make me want to read it and subscribe to it?  Gene Collier and the aforementioned Joe Starkey.  That's it, that's the list.  When they're gone, the only reason left to read that paper will be the paid death notices.

In Cook's farewell column this past Sunday, which you can read HERE, the paper headlined it with this picture:

I don't really have to identify 

anyone here, do I?

Not sure if Cook had a hand in selecting the photo to accompany the column, but if it were me, that is sure the one that I would have selected.

Ron Cook has left The Burg and will now reside in Fort Meyers, FL.  One can only wish him a long, healthy, and happy retirement.