Well, we’ve got another difficult post to write. ..
Tonight I learned that legendary Los Angeles Times columnist TJ Simers died. I learned it while watching Around the Horn, the embrace-debate television show of which he was the first winner (and later derided).
He was an exceptional sports columnist for the Times and his brash style did not always fare him well with his interview subjects.
What I remember most about him was how exceptionally kind to me.
I was a junior in high school (I guess Year 12 in UK terms?) and we had to shadow people as part of this “pre-internship” class. I was an aspiring sports columnist and dreamt of being one of the talking heads on Around the Horn. I had no idea Simers was the OG winner.
I emailed every single sports writer from the Times. Simers wrote me back first (two others did get back to me. One I later interviewed at the Times building and another answered some questions I emailed).
But I was shocked when Simers got back to me. I still have the email correspondence.
“Dear Mr. Simers,
“I am a Junior at [X] and I am interested in pursuing sports journlism/reporting. So I would like to request to shadow you during your work for 30-60 minutes sometime before the new year.”
Here’s what he wrote back to me:
“If you can meet me outside staples center at media/employees entrance on chick hearn way across from nokia no later than 10:45 tomorrow_you can follo at clippers game_u can leave if u like before game or stay and sit in media row next to me_let me know. Tj”
Sure enough, we met outside the Staples Centre. He was wearing a blue UCLA hat. I was late. That was the first lesson he told me, never be late (and always prepare for LA traffic).
Before the game we went down to the media room, where he stacked piles of game notes in front of me, answering questions about his job that I shyly asked.
Simers also introduced my to Vinny del Negro, then the coach of the Clippers, before introducing me to Al-Farouq Aminu and other players inside the locker room.
He used the moment to teach me another lesson: Never wear a suit at games. Players won’t trust you.
We watched the Clippers-Grizzlies game from the media stand, and he pointed out where Bill Plaschke would sit. Plaschke was always the most prepared journalist, he told me. Simers never went into the Times building.
A few months later I applied for an intership with the sports department at the OC Register, my local newspaper. Simers allowed me to use him as a reference and spoke highly of the man who would be my mentor that summer.
This was back in 2011.
TJ Simers was a kind man, and he taught me some very valuable things that I still carry with me, all these years later in my career.
The most important is to be kind to others, and to be charitable with your time.
I’m pretty sure I still have those game notes somewhere.
Fitzie’s track of the day: Now I’m In It, by HAIM
And now for your links:
Alasdair Gold: Tottenham board questioned about plans to seek further investment in club
Dan KP: Spurs supporting Yves Bissouma after player reportedly tear-gassed and mugged in France