The new Peter Gammons
Peter Gammons is not only someone I look up to as a writer, but also as a human being. For decades, he was The Genius. Simply put, there wasn't a better baseball writer on earth. But that time has passed.
I know it's sacrilege to criticize Gammons, especially after his medical episode last year, and amazing recovery. And I don't think this is criticism, so much as acceptance. Because it should be acknowledged that Gammons is not the same writer he was before.
Gammons used to be the prime source for inside baseball information. He was so talented a writer, and so classy a human being, that it seemed like baseball people opened up to him like they did to no other reporter. No one scooped him. Everyone looked to him for information, and he was incredibly generous in sharing information with fellow reporters, especially young ones trying to make it in the business.
His return was widely lauded, and deservedly so. But this is not the same Peter Gammons of 4,000-word information-packed must-read columns. This is a man in the later stages of his career. He is writing very nice, short stories these days more from the human interest angle than baseball analysis. Look at his latest piece on Josh Hamilton as an example.
There is nothing wrong with this transition at all. He deserves it. It was inevitable, and his scare last year appears to have encouraged him to readjust his lifestyle. But much like watching an aging athlete in the late stages of his career, I believe it is important to take the opportunity to read and be thankful for Gammons.
On many occasions, I have gone out of my way to see the great ones one last time before they hung up the cleats. From going to to see Michael Jordan live, to making sure to watch Andre Agassi's last match, to trying to see Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens pitch, I like to take the time to witness true greatness. They may be past their primes, but it's worth it just to watch the moments of brilliance they always seem to have left in the tank.
Peter Gammons is certainly a great one. He is an ambassador of the game, a true Hall of Famer, and an idol of mine and many others. I'll be checking by The Network to read his stuff whenever I can. Because it may not be long before he turns in the laptop for good.