Mike Downey realized to be a sports activities columnist in Detroit and Chicago, however from the second he arrived in Los Angeles in 1985, it was as if he’d spent his entire life in Southern California.
“Mike didn’t get that Chicago Mike Ditka-type gene the place you butt heads with all people,” recalled Scott Ostler, a fellow Los Angeles Instances sports activities columnist. “He got here to the best place, as a result of he simply had this mellow sensibility.”
Downey, who entertained and enlightened L.A. Instances readers for 15 years, died of a coronary heart assault Wednesday at his Rancho Mirage dwelling. He was 72.
His profession took him from a suburban Chicago newspaper — the place he started writing at age 14 — to the Chicago Day by day Information and Solar-Instances, to the Detroit Free Press, to Los Angeles and again to his hometown Chicago Tribune.
His friends voted him state sportswriter of the 12 months 11 occasions, with seven of these coming in California and two every in Illinois and Michigan. On the finish of his profession on the L.A. Instances, Downey moved from sports activities to information.
Mike Downey’s first column within the Los Angeles Instances appeared on Might 20, 1985.
(Los Angeles Instances)
“Mike was like my non secular guidepost,” Instances columnist Invoice Plaschke stated. “Each morning studying him was like going to journalism faculty. He was among the finest and smartest wordsmiths on this metropolis’s historical past.”
In his first column when he arrived on the Instances, Downey wrote about what he knew and didn’t find out about L.A.
“I have no idea Vin Scully,” he wrote. “Any person as soon as informed me that for those who stay in Los Angeles, you possibly can say one thing unhealthy in regards to the Dodgers, you possibly can say one thing unhealthy in regards to the Rams, you possibly can say one thing unhealthy in regards to the smog, you possibly can even name Mom Teresa a busybody, however for those who say one thing unhealthy about Vin Scully, you may be strapped to the rear bumper of a stretch limo and dragged down the Santa Monica Freeway till lifeless.”
Mentioned shut pal and fellow sports activities columnist Ron Rapoport of Downey: “He had a loopy humorousness. His columns had been brilliantly expressed, brilliantly finished.”
There was a kindness to Downey. He might be essential when he wanted to be, however there was a humane sensitivity to his writing. In 1991, when an impaired Willie Shoemaker was paralyzed in a automobile accident that almost took the lifetime of the world-renowned jockey, Downey wrote:
“It will possibly all be taken away from anyone in a flash, the best way it was for a younger skilled soccer participant for the Raiders who drank an excessive amount of and drove his BMW right into a tree, the best way it was for a younger skilled hockey goalie who drank an excessive amount of and sped his Porsche right into a wall of concrete, the best way it has been for hundreds and hundreds of people that climbed into their vehicles and thought they knew the place they had been going, however by no means obtained there.”
He concluded that column with: “All we wish for now’s for Shoe to get effectively.
“After the entire years of watching him, of cheering for him, of wagering on him, of seeing Invoice Shoemaker place his diminutive physique in danger greater than 40,000 occasions for the general public’s leisure, it’s the least we are able to do.
Mike Downey
(Los Angeles Instances)
“Journey this one by means of, Shoe.
“Journey this one by means of.”
Though extremely embellished as a author, Downey didn’t thump his chest. When legendary Instances columnist Jim Murray was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1990, Downey wrote: “When you suppose we’re simply going to sit down right here and settle for the truth that we’re by no means going to be half the sportswriter you’re, effectively, all I’ve to say is, mister, you’re proper.”
Even away from the keyboard, Downey may suppose on his toes. Invoice Dwyre, longtime Instances sports activities editor, recalled a stunt the columnist pulled on the media bus on the Olympics in Atlanta, when the drop-off level was a half-mile stroll previous the motels the place the reporters had been staying.
“We did that for about three days,” Dwyre stated. “Then on the fourth day, we obtained close to the logical spot the place we needed to be dropped off and Downey asks the bus driver, `What would you do if I lit up a cigarette proper now?’ The motive force stated, `I’d cease proper now and throw you off.’
“So Downey pulled a cigarette out. The motive force stopped the bus and threw him off. Downey checked out the remainder of us and walked away, and we needed to stroll a half-mile to get again.”
Earlier than arriving in Los Angeles, Downey was an establishment in Detroit.
“He was prepared to poke enjoyable at himself, on the groups and at sports activities basically,” stated Mitch Albom, Detroit-based creator and media persona. “However light enjoyable, by no means imply, and that was not frequent right here in Detroit.”
Albom stated Downey’s column on the Tigers profitable the 1984 World Collection nonetheless is posted in loos of native bars and eating places.
“When you go into urinals all around the metropolis, you possibly can see Mike Downey’s face,” he stated.
Downey was single into his late 40s earlier than assembly and marrying the love of his life, Gail Martin Downey, daughter of Dean Martin. The 2 met after Gail talked about to a mutual pal how a lot she liked his writing.
They’d have celebrated their twenty fifth anniversary this month.
