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Jim Murray (sportswriter)

January 19, 2024

James Patrick Murray (December 29, 1919 – August 16, 1998) was an American sportswriter.[2][1][4][5] He worked at the Los Angeles Times from 1961 until his death in 1998, and his column was nationally syndicated.[6][7]

Jim Murray
Born(1919-12-29)December 29, 1919
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
DiedAugust 16, 1998(1998-08-16) (aged 78)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeHoly Cross Cemetery, Culver City
OccupationSportswriter
Alma materTrinity College, 1943
EmployerLos Angeles Times (1961–1998)
Notable awards
Spouse
Geraldine Murray
​
​
(m. 1945; died 1984)​
[1]
Linda McCoy
​
(m. 1997)​
[2][3]
Children1 daughter, 3 sons

Among his many achievements was winning the NSSA's Sportswriter of the Year award 14 times (12 of those consecutively). In 1990, he won a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for his 1989 columns,[8][9] and the Baseball Writers' Association of America awarded him the J. G. Taylor Spink Award in 1987. Cited as an influence by countless sports journalists,[6][10][11] Murray was a fixture at the L.A. Times for 37 years.

After he won the Pulitzer in 1990, Murray modestly said he thought the prize winner should have had "to bring down a government or expose major graft or give advice to prime ministers. Correctly quoting Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda shouldn't merit a Pulitzer Prize."[2] He was offered $1 million to join The National Sports Daily, but declined.[12]

Career edit

Prior to his tenure with the Los Angeles Times, Murray was a writer and columnist for Sports Illustrated from 1953 to 1961 and Time magazine from 1948 to 1955. He was also a reporter for the Los Angeles Examiner from 1944 to 1948, the New Haven (CT) Register and The Hartford Times. A native of Hartford, Connecticut, Murray graduated from that city's Trinity College in 1943.[4][13]

Murray was noted for his great, albeit occasionally caustic, sense of humor and ability to turn a phrase, including the following: he wrote of the Indianapolis 500 automobile race, "Gentlemen, start your coffins"; that baseball player Rickey Henderson "has a strike zone the size of Hitler's heart"; and that UCLA basketball coach John Wooden was "so square he was divisible by four."[10]

Although eventually afflicted with blindness, Murray continued covering and writing about sports as long as he was able. He wrote a column from the Del Mar racetrack for the L.A. Times on the day before he died.[1]

The Jim Murray Memorial Foundation, created in 1999 by Murray's widow, Linda McCoy-Murray, raises money for journalism scholarships for college journalists. Currently 31 universities participate annually in a national essay competition in which the winners receive $5,000.00 scholarships.[14]

In 1964, he received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.[15]

He was inducted in the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 1978.[16]

In 1982, Murray was honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors, who awarded him the Red Smith Award, which is America's most prestigious sports writing honor. For his contribution to sports in Los Angeles, he was honored with a Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum "Court of Honor" plaque by the Coliseum commissioners. A testimonial dinner in Beverly Hills was held for Murray after he won his Pulitzer Prize in 1990, at which the guests included many show-business and sports luminaries, as well as Nancy and Ronald Reagan.

Murray's funeral, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Brentwood, was attended by a variety of notable sports figures including Marcus Allen, Elgin Baylor, Al Davis, Rafer Johnson, Chris McCarron, Peter O'Malley, Luc Robitaille, Bill Russell, Donald Sterling, Danny Sullivan, and Mike Tyson.[17] The tribute was delivered by his longtime friend, sportscaster Jack Whitaker.[18][19]

Murray is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City; a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated posthumously to him in 2008.[20]

Works edit

  • Jim Murray: The Autobiography (1995)

The following are collections of Jim Murray articles:

  • The Jim Murray Reader (2011)
  • Last of the Best (1998)
  • The Great Ones (1991)
  • The Jim Murray Collection (1988)
  • The Best of Jim Murray

By other authors:

  • Quotable Jim Murray: The Literary Wit, Wisdom, and Wonder of a Distinguished American Sports Columnist, by Linda McCoy-Murray (2003)

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Pope, Edwin (August 18, 1998). "Sports columnist Murray dies". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). (Miami Herald). p. C1.
  2. ^ a b c Sandomiraug, Richard (August 18, 1998). "Jim Murray, 78, sportswriter and winner of Pulitzer Prize". New York Times. (obituary). p. B8.
  3. ^ Plaschke, Bill (August 21, 1998). "She was right woman at right time for Murray". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Jim Murray joining Chronicle sports section". Spokane Chronicle. (Washington). (Los Angeles Times). December 3, 1981. p. 37.
  5. ^ Bowker, Paul (August 18, 1998). "Murray: The man, the words". Wilmington Morning Star. (North Carolina). p. 1C.
  6. ^ a b "Jim Murray, Pulitzer-winning Times columnist, dies". Los Angeles Times. (obituary). August 18, 1998. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  7. ^ Harris, Beth (August 18, 1998). "Pulitzer Prize-winning sports columnist". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. p. B6.
  8. ^ 1990 Pulitzer Prizes
  9. ^ "L.A. Times sports columnist clinches Pulitzer". United Press International. April 12, 1990. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Reilly, Rick (April 21, 1986). "King of the sports page". Sports Illustrated. p. 78.
  11. ^ Reilly, Rick (August 24, 1998). "Finest man I ever knew". Sports Illustrated. p. 72.
  12. ^ The Greatest Paper That Ever Died 2011-12-02 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Jim Murray biography at espn.com
  14. ^ Jim Murray Foundation Home Page
  15. ^ "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement". www.achievement.org. American Academy of Achievement.
  16. ^ "Jim Murray, Class of 1978". nationalsportsmedia.org. NSSA Hall of Fame.
  17. ^ "Murray's funeral draws athletes power brokers". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. August 22, 1998. p. C7.
  18. ^ Whitaker, Jack (August 22, 1998). " 'My, what a grand man you were' ". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  19. ^ Malnic, Eric (August 22, 1998). "Farewell to a friend". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  20. ^

External links edit

January 19, 2024
murray, sportswriter, james, patrick, murray, december, 1919, august, 1998, american, sportswriter, worked, angeles, times, from, 1961, until, death, 1998, column, nationally, syndicated, murrayborn, 1919, december, 1919hartford, connecticut, diedaugust, 1998,. James Patrick Murray December 29 1919 August 16 1998 was an American sportswriter 2 1 4 5 He worked at the Los Angeles Times from 1961 until his death in 1998 and his column was nationally syndicated 6 7 Jim MurrayBorn 1919 12 29 December 29 1919Hartford Connecticut U S DiedAugust 16 1998 1998 08 16 aged 78 Los Angeles California U S Resting placeHoly Cross Cemetery Culver CityOccupationSportswriterAlma materTrinity College 1943EmployerLos Angeles Times 1961 1998 Notable awardsJ G Taylor Spink Award 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary 1989 SpouseGeraldine Murray m 1945 died 1984 wbr 1 Linda McCoy m 1997 wbr 2 3 Children1 daughter 3 sonsAmong his many achievements was winning the NSSA s Sportswriter of the Year award 14 times 12 of those consecutively In 1990 he won a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for his 1989 columns 8 9 and the Baseball Writers Association of America awarded him the J G Taylor Spink Award in 1987 Cited as an influence by countless sports journalists 6 10 11 Murray was a fixture at the L A Times for 37 years After he won the Pulitzer in 1990 Murray modestly said he thought the prize winner should have had to bring down a government or expose major graft or give advice to prime ministers Correctly quoting Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda shouldn t merit a Pulitzer Prize 2 He was offered 1 million to join The National Sports Daily but declined 12 Contents 1 Career 2 Works 3 References 4 External linksCareer editPrior to his tenure with the Los Angeles Times Murray was a writer and columnist for Sports Illustrated from 1953 to 1961 and Time magazine from 1948 to 1955 He was also a reporter for the Los Angeles Examiner from 1944 to 1948 the New Haven CT Register and The Hartford Times A native of Hartford Connecticut Murray graduated from that city s Trinity College in 1943 4 13 Murray was noted for his great albeit occasionally caustic sense of humor and ability to turn a phrase including the following he wrote of the Indianapolis 500 automobile race Gentlemen start your coffins that baseball player Rickey Henderson has a strike zone the size of Hitler s heart and that UCLA basketball coach John Wooden was so square he was divisible by four 10 Although eventually afflicted with blindness Murray continued covering and writing about sports as long as he was able He wrote a column from the Del Mar racetrack for the L A Times on the day before he died 1 The Jim Murray Memorial Foundation created in 1999 by Murray s widow Linda McCoy Murray raises money for journalism scholarships for college journalists Currently 31 universities participate annually in a national essay competition in which the winners receive 5 000 00 scholarships 14 In 1964 he received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement 15 He was inducted in the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 1978 16 In 1982 Murray was honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors who awarded him the Red Smith Award which is America s most prestigious sports writing honor For his contribution to sports in Los Angeles he was honored with a Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Court of Honor plaque by the Coliseum commissioners A testimonial dinner in Beverly Hills was held for Murray after he won his Pulitzer Prize in 1990 at which the guests included many show business and sports luminaries as well as Nancy and Ronald Reagan Murray s funeral at St Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Brentwood was attended by a variety of notable sports figures including Marcus Allen Elgin Baylor Al Davis Rafer Johnson Chris McCarron Peter O Malley Luc Robitaille Bill Russell Donald Sterling Danny Sullivan and Mike Tyson 17 The tribute was delivered by his longtime friend sportscaster Jack Whitaker 18 19 Murray is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated posthumously to him in 2008 20 Works editJim Murray The Autobiography 1995 The following are collections of Jim Murray articles The Jim Murray Reader 2011 Last of the Best 1998 The Great Ones 1991 The Jim Murray Collection 1988 The Best of Jim MurrayBy other authors Quotable Jim Murray The Literary Wit Wisdom and Wonder of a Distinguished American Sports Columnist by Linda McCoy Murray 2003 References edit a b c Pope Edwin August 18 1998 Sports columnist Murray dies Spokesman Review Spokane Washington Miami Herald p C1 a b c Sandomiraug Richard August 18 1998 Jim Murray 78 sportswriter and winner of Pulitzer Prize New York Times obituary p B8 Plaschke Bill August 21 1998 She was right woman at right time for Murray Los Angeles Times Retrieved March 11 2019 a b Jim Murray joining Chronicle sports section Spokane Chronicle Washington Los Angeles Times December 3 1981 p 37 Bowker Paul August 18 1998 Murray The man the words Wilmington Morning Star North Carolina p 1C a b Jim Murray Pulitzer winning Times columnist dies Los Angeles Times obituary August 18 1998 Retrieved March 11 2019 Harris Beth August 18 1998 Pulitzer Prize winning sports columnist Pittsburgh Post Gazette Associated Press p B6 1990 Pulitzer Prizes L A Times sports columnist clinches Pulitzer United Press International April 12 1990 Retrieved March 11 2019 a b Reilly Rick April 21 1986 King of the sports page Sports Illustrated p 78 Reilly Rick August 24 1998 Finest man I ever knew Sports Illustrated p 72 The Greatest Paper That Ever Died Archived 2011 12 02 at the Wayback Machine Jim Murray biography at espn com Jim Murray Foundation Home Page Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement www achievement org American Academy of Achievement Jim Murray Class of 1978 nationalsportsmedia org NSSA Hall of Fame Murray s funeral draws athletes power brokers Spokesman Review Spokane Washington Associated Press August 22 1998 p C7 Whitaker Jack August 22 1998 My what a grand man you were Los Angeles Times Retrieved March 11 2019 Malnic Eric August 22 1998 Farewell to a friend Los Angeles Times Retrieved March 11 2019 Palm Springs Walk of Stars By Date DedicatedExternal links editJim Murray 1987 J G Taylor Spink Award winner at the Baseball Hall of Fame Jim Murray Foundation Jim Murray at Find a Grave Portals nbsp Biography nbsp Baseball nbsp Journalism nbsp Los Angeles Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jim Murray sportswriter amp oldid 1187872488, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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