Something to Be Said for Irritating Both Sides

Ross Newhan is an imposing figure to young baseball writers.

At least he was to me.

I was clueless about covering the Dodgers when promoted to the beat in 1997. Some probably believe I’ve regressed, but no criticism could affect me as much as my first encounter with The Times’ longtime baseball columnist.

Ross--who today joins the writers’ wing of the Hall of Fame, receiving the J.G. Taylor Spink Award for meritorious contributions to baseball writing--volunteered to introduce me to the Dodgers, so I had to first introduce myself to him at Dodger Stadium.

I began reading Ross’ coverage of the Dodgers, Angels and major leagues while in high school, but had not met him despite being employed at the paper since 1992.

Ross was waiting in the press box, which was unfortunate for me, considering I was supposed to arrive before him.

Starting on bad terms with one of baseball’s most respected columnists is not wise for a rookie reporter, and at that moment I figured my tenure on the beat would be short even by Times’ standards.

With my heart racing in anticipation of a lecture about punctuality, professionalism, etc., I hoped to remember to apologize to Ross and Sports Editor Bill Dwyre before I cleaned out my mailbox.

Instead of a blistering attack, though, Ross simply said, “So, you’re the new guy.”

And that was it.

Ross realized I was overwhelmed (my out-of-breath condition provided a hint) and decided not to make me feel worse.

The gesture put me at ease, making the remainder of a whirlwind day comparatively relaxed, and beginning a five-year friendship that I consider among my strongest.

From that awkward start, we’ve developed a tight bond through our passion for reporting and the dizzying events that followed Fox’s purchase of the Dodgers in 1998.

Frequently, the sage veteran had to talk the newcomer off the proverbial ledge as the Dodgers made a series of stunning moves.

From the trading of franchise player Mike Piazza to the late-night firings of General Manager Fred Claire and Manager Bill Russell, the Dodgers kept us busy and wondering what mess was next.

The stable O’Malleys had left Chavez Ravine, I was a high-strung individual working in a high-stress environment and Ross balanced the situation with a steady approach developed in 40-plus years covering the game in Southern California.

Connie Newhan still teases me about the countless hours I kept her husband of 33 years on the phone that first season, asking him how to do, well, my job.

But Ross never lost patience with me, or at least didn’t display frustration while we covered a series of major news conferences and wrote about everything but the games in jammed press boxes.

And Ross’ timely compliments provided a feeling of confidence, prompting me to believe I might be on the right road, though traveling slowly.

Of course, Ross also criticized when necessary.

My phone rang when I did silly things. There were more calls than I care to remember, and I always shut up, listened and learned because Boss Ross knows best about reporting and handling sources.

As a baseball columnist, Ross often harshly, but fairly, critiques management and players, infuriating both sides.

But the most powerful people in the game still return Ross’ calls, seek his counsel and respect his straightforward approach.

Before I covered baseball, columnist Mark Whicker of the Orange County Register told me that Ross is one of the best in the business because he “does the job the right way.”

Ross covers the things that Southland baseball fans care about, focusing on the most newsworthy topics each Sunday during the baseball season on a full page dedicated to the game.

That might not seem difficult, but others repeatedly miss the mark Ross consistently hits with graceful and insightful writing.

Because of his tireless work ethic, Ross has maintained high standards for four decades, keeping pace with on- and off-field trends.

Ross, 64, outworks reporters half his age, never making excuses or accepting them from others.

I’ve watched him do some of his best work at the end of postseasons that included multiple cross-country flights and escalating deadline pressure, reinforcing his status as a Mr. October.

Nothing infuriates Ross more than writers who complain about being overworked and underappreciated, or those who care more about getting stories first than about getting them right.

Beginning with his first year covering the Angels for the Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram in 1961, Ross’ reporting philosophy has not changed: “I’d rather get beat than be wrong.”

Ross has had many more victories than defeats, and he’s still adding scoops to the ledger.

My friend will stand at a podium today and talk about special moments in a still-thriving career covering a game that became a billion-dollar industry on his watch.

He will be surrounded by family and friends, viewing his photo in the Hall of Fame library located near the gallery of player and manager busts, becoming the 52nd member of the wing--and second Times staffer following the late Jim Murray in 1987--that also includes Ring Lardner, Grantland Rice, Damon Runyan and Red Smith.

Imposing indeed.