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Family, friends, colleagues honor Reds beat writer Hal McCoy

A special ceremony was held at Great American Ball Park for Hall of Famer

Staff Photo by Jim Witmer Hal McCoy waves to the crowd following his speech on the field on "Hal McCoy Night" at Great American Ball Park September 16, 2009, honoring the retirement of long-time Hall of Fame Dayton Daily News Red's beat writer.

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer Updated 2:12 AM Thursday, September 17, 2009

CINCINNATI — Through the hum of storytelling and laughing behind him, Tom Browning shared his first Hal McCoy memory.

“I remember the first time I ever crossed Hal McCoy’s path, we were still training in Tampa,” Browning said at a gathering of family and friends in McCoy’s honor at Great American Ball Park. “(Another writer) and Hal, they would sit in the bleachers sunbathing while we were trying to win ballgames in spring training.”

That was about the only relaxing McCoy did during the baseball season. And for that work, 37 years of covering the Cincinnati Reds for the Dayton Daily News, McCoy, who announced last month that he would retire at the end of the current Reds season, was honored before the Reds game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Hal McCoy Night included an autograph session at the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, a gathering with family, colleagues, former colleagues and friends and an on-field ceremony with broadcaster Marty Brennaman serving as master of ceremonies.

It was a night, those gathered said, well deserved for a reporter who dedicated those years to covering some of the most respected teams in Major League Baseball history — and also some stinkers.

During the ceremony, McCoy sat with his wife, Nadine, next to a podium while Brennaman and other speakers talked about his career and presented him with gifts. Then, before the game, McCoy threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former Reds and current Astros infielder Aaron Boone.

“It was my life and my passion,” McCoy said from the podium. “My wife Nadine hates it when I say this, but I love three things: Baseball, writing and traveling. I got to do all three for 37 years, and I got paid for it.”

A video tribute to McCoy noted that he has covered the Reds through 16 managers, nine general managers and six ownership groups, which is a resiliency, said Brennaman, that has made him one of the most respected people in or around the organization.

“The objectivity he has carried in his job all these years has been unwavering and uncompromising,” Brennaman said. “I think that’s the reason people have the respect (that they do).”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389  or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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I was glad to see an overflowing crowd at GABP to honor Hal.... Cincinnati Reds fans love Hal's coverage that's why Stub Hub tickets were being sold at half price.... You're a rock star Mr. McCoy
and the overflowing crowd in Cincinnati proved it...

Harry the Horse
6:07 PM, 9/17/2009

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Dr. Debakey's nurse sends her best.

The Old Scout
5:15 PM, 9/17/2009

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Hey Adios,

You are classless!

Hal Fan
5:10 PM, 9/17/2009

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Adios, Hal. Can't say that I'll miss you.

Adios
4:58 PM, 9/17/2009

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I've enjoyed your work since you started at DDN. I now go on line every morning to read what you thought of the game the night before. I live in Gahanna and the Dispatch isn't much.

I think we met at an all-city football meeting the first year you worked at DDN. A long time ago.

You deserved what you got last night. You are up there with "Si-ings" and Ritter, although I never read Ritter (the other paper).

GOD BLESS

Dick Shearer
4:40 PM, 9/17/2009

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