Anderson, who joined the Times in 1966 as a general assignment reporter, took over the newspaper's "Sports of the Times" column in 1971, The New York Times reported.
RIP, Dave Anderson. The longtime sports columnist of the @NYTimes was a mentor to many (including me) and shining example of how smart, concise, pointed prose could tell the best story. Just a great and generous man too.
— Peter King (@peter_king) October 4, 2018
Years ago, at the press conference announcing WrestleMania X at MSG, I got to have a conversation with legendary newspapermen Murray Kempton & Dave Anderson. While others focused on the pugilists, I was drawn to the Pulitzers. RIP Mr. Anderson.
— Skip Desjardin (@SkipDesjardin) October 4, 2018
Anderson won the Pulitzer in commentary in 1981, one of three sportswriters to win the award. The first was Red Smith, Anderson’s colleague at the Times, in 1976; Jim Murray of the Los Angeles Times won the award in 1990.
Anderson wrote for his high school and college newspapers and got his first professional job at 16 when he was hired as a messenger at The New York Sun, the Times reported.
Damn, damn, damn. I adored Dave Anderson and was honored to share many a press box meal with him. A total gentleman and professional who was never too big for anyone in this business. https://t.co/Gn0OvofWBT
— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) October 4, 2018
Along with Red Smith, Dave Anderson was required reading in the NY Times sports section. More than just about games and athletes and stats, they wrote about life, drama and pathos. And they made it fun. https://t.co/LNXKadAtx8
— Carl MacGowan (@CarlMacGowan) October 4, 2018
He covered the Dodgers for the Brooklyn Eagle in 1953-54 and went to the New York Journal-American in 1955.
Anderson won the Associated Press Sports Editors’ Red Smith Award in 1994.
First time I was in a pressbox with Dave Anderson I was in awe — it was Dave Anderson. Turns out what Dave Anderson was was a kind, regular guy who never had airs of superiority and, oh yeah, super talented. #RIP https://t.co/y0anDskfI8
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) October 4, 2018
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