The death was confirmed monday by npr, where deford delivered commentaries for 37 years. Benjamin franklin deford iii december 16, 1938 may 28, 2017 was an american sportswriter and novelist. He has also appeared often on television and has been a commentator on npr since 1980. Frank deford, the awardwinning sports writer and commentator whose elegant reportage was a staple for years at sports illustrated and national public radio. Defords wife confirmed to the washington post that he. Frank deford wrote for sports illustrated for three decades. May 29, 2017 frank deford, the awardwinning sports journalist and commentator whose elegant reportage was a staple for years at sports illustrated and national public radio, has died. A rollicking sampler of one of npr s most popular segments, id know that voice anywhere is perfect for sports enthusiastsas well as sports skepticsand a mustread for any frank deford fan. It was here that he wrote many of his 20 books, and some of the most important pieces in his 50year career at sports illustrated. May 30, 2017 sports illustrated writer and npr commentator, frank deford died on may 28 at the age of 78. How frank deford changed sports journalism for the win. Deford possesses a witty and poignant take on the world of athletics that has earned him a wealth of fans, from.
From 1980 until his death in 2017, he was a regular sports commentator on npr s morning edition radio program. Writer and commentator frank deford is the author of sixteen books. May 29, 2017 frank deford, who mined the sports world for human stories and told them with literary grace over six decades in sports illustrated, a shelf of books and many years of radio and television. Frank deford is a sixtime national sportswriter of the year, senior writer for sports illustrated, commentator on nprs morning edition, correspondent for hbos realsports with bryant gumbel and the author of 14 books. In my life as a sportswriter, sports illustrated writer frank deford reminisces on his time chronicling the offbeat and the mainstream in sports. Frank deford died on sunday, may 28, at his home in florida. Since then, in addition to magazine work, hes won a peabody and an emmy, written 10 novels, and delivered more than 1,500 commentaries on nprs morning edition. Since 1980, deford has recorded 1,600 of them, and in id know that voice. He died sunday, may 28, 2017, in key west, florida, according to. He was a gifted man, who delighted us as a sports commentator and writer for over four decades. A contributing writer to sports illustrated for more than fifty years, and a longtime correspondent on real sports with bryant gumbel, these days, deford is perhaps best known for his weekly commentaries on npr s morning edition. Deford joined sports illustrated in 1962, fresh, and fresh out of princeton. Deford s writing is authentic and emanates today s baseball. He wrote more than a dozen books and in 20 he was the first sportswriter to receive a national humanities medal.
Frank deford of sports illustrated and npr passes today. Named a best sports book of 2016 by buffalo news frank deford definitely is worthy of a spot on the mt. Frank deford, who cultivated a distinct style of sports journalism at sports illustrated and national public radio, had died. The entitled, by frank deford, begins with howie traveler, who had spent a lifetime in baseball as an unimpressive player and then as a longtime coach and manager in the minor leagues. May 29, 2017 deford also wrote 18 books, nine of them novels such as everybodys allamerican in a wideranging career. Whether frank deford is the voice you hear on national public radio s morning edition or the name you see in the newsweek byline, you are sure to be highly entertained with the irreverent musings of this muchacclaimed sports mind. Frank deford is a sixtime national sportswriter of the year, senior contributing editor at sports. The tale takes its time in the telling, allowing the reader to savor the language and the memories.
His latest novel, bliss, remembered, is a love story set at the 1936 berlin olympics and world war ii. May 29, 2017 the sportswriter was a mainstay on morning edition for 37 years, applying his keen wit and incisive eye to games of every stripe. Over time, a memoir by frank deford the new york times. Beginning in 1980, deford has recorded over 1,600 of them, and in id know that voice. Defords writing is authentic and emanates todays baseball. Frank deford, the awardwinning sports writer and commentator whose elegant reportage was a staple for years at sports illustrated and national public radio, has died. Photograph your local culture, help wikipedia and win. Writer and commentator frank deford was the author of 20 books. In his nonfiction he has chronicled everything from roller derby to the miss america pageant, while his novels have used sport as a background for historical fiction and explorations of what athletic competition can mean. His work has appeared in virtually every medium, including print, where he has written eloquently for sports illustrated since 1962. July 17, 2010 sportswriter frank defords historical novel, bliss remembered, tells the story of a young american swimmer at the 1936.
From 1980 until his death in 2017, he was a regular sports commentator on npr s morning edition radio program deford wrote for sports illustrated magazine from 1962 until his death in 2017, and was a correspondent for the real sports with bryant gumbel television program on hbo. Baseballs proposed changes are not so good, says frank deford. Over six feet tall, clean cut, and college educated, he didnt pitch on the sabbath and rarely. Jan 14, 2015 in honor of sports illustrateds 60th anniversary, is republishing, in full, 60 of the best stories ever to appear in the magazine. Lets ring in spring with the masters golf tournament weve passed the vernal equinox and baseballs opening day was monday, but frank deford. May 29, 2017 frank deford, the renowned sportswriter and commentator, has died. His latest, id know that voice anywhere, is a collection of his npr. He has won many awards, including six national sportswriter of the year honors, and is the only person connected with sports ever to have. Sports writer and commentator frank deford, who won awards for his work with sports illustrated magazine and npr, has died at 78. He was registered into the sports hall of fame, received many rewards, and wrote over 20 books on his own. Frank deford is among the most versatile of american writers. A novel by frank deford and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
But over time makes me think i wouldnt want to reread much of that stuff some of it collected in the worlds tallest midget. A man gets tested for the coronavirus wednesday in wuhan, china, the cradle of the global pandemic. May, 2020 a man gets tested for the coronavirus wednesday in wuhan, china, the cradle of the global pandemic. A baseball novel in frank deford s new novel, the entitled, a major league superstar is accused of rape and his manager is faced with a decision that could end both. Deford died sunday, just weeks after hanging up his cleats with npr. His latest, id know that voice anywhere, is a collection of his npr commentaries. We are saddened to hear that frank deford has passed away, npr president and ceo jarl mohn said in a statement monday. Frank deford is one of the most beloved sports journalists in america. March 1, 2017 commentator frank deford thinks some of the proposed changes to make professional baseball more exciting wont help. Frank deford is a sixtime national sportswriter of the year, senior writer for sports illustrated, commentator on npr s morning edition, correspondent for hbos realsports with bryant gumbel and the author of 14 books. There are the pro teams, the college team, the high school team, the fantasy teams. Remembrances of franks life and work can be found in all things considered, morning edition, and on.
By frank deford mar 19, 2014 more than any other nation, america is awash in teams. Frank deford books list of books by author frank deford. July 17, 2010 sportswriter frank deford s historical novel, bliss remembered, tells the story of a young american swimmer at the 1936. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. He has been elected to the hall of fame of the national association of sportscasters and sportswriters and has been awarded. Frank deford pictured, the awardwinning sports writer and commentator whose elegant reportage was a staple for years at sports illustrated, has died aged 78 at his home in key west, florida. Despite the fact that the author is also a sportswriter, this is not a book filled with sports action. He is a recipient of the penespn lifetime achievement award for literary sports writing and. My life as a sportswriter is as unconventional and wideranging as frank deford s remarkable career, in which he has chronicled the heroes and the characters of just about every sport in nearly every medium. Frank deford one of the most famous and elegant sportswriters of all time has died. In the old ball game, frank deford, npr sports commentator and sports illustrated journalist retells the story of an unusual friendship between two towering figures in baseball history. Frank deford, shown in 1984, wrote for sports illustrated for 50 years, reported for hbos real sports with bryant gumbel and was a radio commentator, primarily on npr.
Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. Deford possesses a witty and poignant take on the world of athletics that has earned him a wealth of fans, from the most ardent sports enthusiast to the. Id know that voice anywhere frank deford is one of the most beloved sports journalists in america. A rollicking sampler of one of nprs most popular segments, id know that voice anywhere is perfect for sports enthusiastsas well as sports skepticsand a mustread for any frank deford fan. Frank deford on june 12, 1991, holding a prototype of the final edition of the national, a sports daily where he served as editor in chief from 19891991. At the turn of the twentieth century, christy mathewson was one of baseballs first superstars. He would go on to spend another 33 years as a commentator on morning edition. May 29, 2017 frank deford, a longtime sports illustrated writer, author and commentator, died sunday in key west, fl, his wife confirmed to multiple media outlets. He has been elected to the hall of fame of the national association of sportscasters and sportswriters and has been awarded both an emmy and a peabody. Frank deford the legendary sports illustrated writer and. Sep 22, 2011 writer and commentator frank deford is the author of sixteen books. Find out more about his prosperous career, cause of death, and more in our frank deford wiki. With bliss, remembered, the celebrated frank deford has produced a work of literature which ranks with the best of his many novels, including everybodys all american, which sports illustrated ranked as one of the twentyfive best sports books of all time. Frank deford is one of the most beloved sports commentators in america.
A weekly commentator for npr s morning edition, he is also a regular correspondent on. My life as a sportswriter on thursday, may 31, 2012 at 7. New england patriots quarterback tom brady sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of an nfl football game against the kansas city chiefs, in. Today s selection is the rabbit hunter, by frank deford.
Since 1980, frank voiced sports commentary for npr, leaving us 1,656 of. Deford s wife confirmed to the washington post that he. Lets ring in spring with the masters golf tournament. Frank deford, who as a journalist for sports illustrated was known as a master of longform storytelling and as a regular commentator for national public radio brought sports to life for many. Deford wrote for sports illustrated magazine from 1962 until his death in 2017, and was a correspondent for the real sports. Authorities plan to test the citys entire population after new cases emerged for the first time in weeks, according to state media. He finally landed a major league manager position with the cleveland indians when he was in his midfifties. May 11, 2012 love, war and bliss, remembered at 1936 olympics. In one of his regular wednesday morning commentaries for nprs morning edition, where hes a welcome presence because he. Former sports illustrated writer and npr commentator frank deford died sunday at his home in key west, fla. Bliss, remembered by frank deford is the story of a mother with her own story to tell, and the son who patiently gives her time to tell it. He is the author of 20 books, both fiction and nonfiction. May 01, 2000 whether frank deford is the voice you hear on national public radio s morning edition or the name you see in the newsweek byline, you are sure to be highly entertained with the irreverent musings of this muchacclaimed sports mind. May 30, 2017 frank deford was a legendary sports writer who will always be remembered for his success.
Remembrances of frank s life and work can be found in all things considered, morning edition, and on npr. In 1990, he was editorinchief of the national sports daily, one of the most ambitiousand ill. My favorite npr commentaries by frank deford online at alibris. Learn how and when to remove these template messages this article needs additional citations for verification. A contributing writer to sports illustrated for more than fifty years, and a longtime correspondent on real sports with bryant gumbel, these days, deford is perhaps best known for his weekly commentaries on nprs morning edition.
He retired earlier this month following his 1,656th npr commentary. Alexandra deford, a precious and precocious girl, was just eight years old when she died in 1980 following a battle against the debilitating effects of cystic. He also worked with npr s morning edition for 32 years. A contributing writer to sports illustrated for more than fifty years, he is also a longtime correspondent on real sports with bryant gumbel.
Fans who already know quite a bit about the game will get more knowledge out of this book than they have with nonfiction books on the genre. Deford also wrote 18 books, nine of them novels such as everybodys allamerican in a wideranging career. Frank deford is a senior contributing writer for sports illustrated, an author, a commentator for national public radio, and a correspondent for real sports with bryant gumbel on hbo. The old ball game goodreads meet your next favorite book. Remembering frank deford, the legendary sports illustrated writer who graced the magazines masthead for more than half a century. The author of more than fifteen books, frank deford b.
New england patriots quarterback tom brady sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of an nfl football game against the kansas city chiefs, in kansas city, mo. These days, deford is perhaps best known for his weekly commentaries on npr s morning edition. He is senior contributing writer at sports illustrated, where his byline first appeared in 1962. Frank deford has 43 books on goodreads with 10920 ratings.
Jul 01, 2010 bliss, remembered by frank deford is the story of a mother with her own story to tell, and the son who patiently gives her time to tell it. We are saddened to hear that frank deford has passed away, npr president and ceo jarl mohn said in a. The author of fourteen books, frank deford has worked in virtually every medium. May 29, 2017 frank deford, who cultivated a distinct style of sports journalism at sports illustrated and national public radio, had died. In honor of sports illustrateds 60th anniversary, is republishing, in full, 60 of the best stories ever to appear in the magazine. Frank deford audio books, best sellers, author bio. Deford had announced his retirement from npr after 37 years earlier this month.
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