RIP - Hubert Mizell

[gardnerwebbgator]

One of the blessings of growing up down in the Tampa Bay Area back in the 1970's and 1980's was being able to read two world class sports writers in Hubert Mizell with the SP Times and Tom McEwen with the Tampa Trib every morning. Most of the hacks that pass as sports journalists in this day and age should read some of their work and learn something.

RIP Mr. Mizell.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/news/former-times-sports-columnist-hubert-mizell-dies-at-76/2267836

 

[FatCatG8r]

Man, you beat by less than 10 minutes, And you are correct. Both Mizell and McEwen were razor sharp writers who had the kinds of insights and analysis that Dooley only dreams about. Here in Gainesville, we had Jack Hairston, who, maybe didn't have the quality of style, was still pretty sharp. And an early pioneer in recruiting rankings.

 

[GatorTAG]

Has lacrosse season started yet?

 

[CU-UF]

Mizell was a Gator through, and lived his last years here in Gainesville. He would occasionally call Steve Russell. Tom McEwen was great, always remember his breakfast lol

 

[Since65]

Agree with all you're saying about the old days when print journalism was king. Mizell and McEwen were two of the best. Thankful I got to read the Tribune every day, the St. Pete paper not as often. McEwen's book on the Gators, while it is dated, is still a good read.

 

[78]

I wondered how he'd been doing. Sad to hear he's passed. I somehow got his email address after he'd retired to Gainesville and we shared a few emails. I was with the Times for some of the time he was, though not in the same building. The guy was a terrific columnist and (no pun) a larger-than-life figure. He covered just about every important sporting event of the modern era, including the Munich Massacre (the '72 Olympics) and the 1980 Miracle on Ice. He lived for the big event and loved the golf majors, typically traveling overseas to cover the Open. He was famous for punctuating his columns with four-word graphs and italics. We used to joke at the Tribune that every other word in his columns was in ital, but everyone respected the hell out of him. RIP.

 

[Ancient Reptile]

The St. Pete Times was my favorite Florida paper, but I remember McEwen very well and Mizell not at all. Can't think why? Anyone know if the St. Pete Times was readily available in Gainesville in the 1960s?

 

[78]

The St. Pete Times was my favorite Florida paper, but I remember McEwen very well and Mizell not at all. Can't think why? Anyone know if the St. Pete Times was readily available in Gainesville in the 1960s?

McEwen was with the Tribune longer and without interruption. What he lacked as a writer he more than made up in influence. He hobnobbed with the rich and powerful and could have run for mayor of Tampa if he'd wanted. We rode together to G'ville for the FSU game in '87 and I couldn't get over how connected with the elite he was as we walked from a reserved lot to the stadium. McEwen knew everyone.

Mizell left the Times briefly for the Atlanta Constitution in the late '80s and returned, whereupon he dropped the sports editor title for columnist.

 

[Jenny On The Railroad]

[

I wondered how he'd been doing. Sad to hear he's passed. I somehow got his email address after he'd retired to Gainesville and we shared a few emails. I was with the Times for some of the time he was, though not in the same building. The guy was a terrific columnist and (no pun) a larger-than-life figure. He covered just about every important sporting event of the modern era, including the Munich Massacre (the '72 Olympics) and the 1980 Miracle on Ice. He lived for the big event and loved the golf majors, typically traveling overseas to cover the Open. He was famous for punctuating his columns with four-word graphs and italics. We used to joke at the Tribune that every other word in his columns was in ital, but everyone respected the hell out of him. RIP.

He used to have a short spot on local Gainesville TV network after the regular sports spot at one time. He used the short time he had well and was fun to listen to and watch. I really liked his commentary. Wasn't afraid to call out someone for their decisions either.

 

[Ancient Reptile]

McEwen was with the Tribune longer and without interruption. What he lacked as a writer he more than made up in influence. He hobnobbed with the rich and powerful and could have run for mayor of Tampa if he'd wanted. We rode together to G'ville for the FSU game in '87 and I couldn't get over how connected with the elite he was as we walked from a reserved lot to the stadium. McEwen knew everyone.

Mizell left the Times briefly for the Atlanta Constitution in the late '80s and returned, whereupon he dropped the sports editor title for columnist.

Thanks. I knew that McEwen was influential in the day, and even outside the State of Florida, as I remember.

 

[Chomper]

I never met Mizell, but I when I was UF student I was Gator stringer for Tampa Tribune and worked elbow to elbow with Tom McEwen in the press box at Gator games. He was a gem, quick witted and always had the ability to look past the obvious. And Jack Hairston, always chomping on a stinky cigar, was a stand-up guy never afraid to ask the tough question and always willing to help a budding journalist. I only knew Mizell through his columns. Yes, these three were great sports journalists. Guys like these just don't come along any more.