A word of thanks…
As some of you may know, if you were listening to the MSP this morning, I have been officially informed that I will be inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Tuesday, Sept. 28.
I don’t really even know where to start in thanking everyone who has helped me along the way. I’m the luckiest guy I know — my job(s) have afforded me the opportunity to go so many places I didn’t think I’d ever go. And now I’m headed into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, where only three sports writers reside. All three of those giants, George Pasero, Don McLeod and L.H. Gregory have passed away and I am humbled to be in their company.
I also believe so many other great ones — Leo Davis and Ken Wheeler, to name just two — should be in the Hall and aren’t.
But I wanted to make a point in this space to thank just a few of the many people who have helped me, with apologies in advance to those I’ve missed.
For me, it started in high school, where a journalism advisor, Jack Vogel, mistakenly put me on the school newspaper staff, then took the time to mentor me. My high school baseball coach, Jack Dunn, has been a lifelong friend and mentor, as has the great Roy Love, the baseball coach and athletic director at Portland State, whom I served under for three years in a coaching capacity. Both are already in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and I’m so lucky to have been influenced by them.
At the old Oregon Journal, where I began my career, George Pasero was as patient as he could be with me after Bill Mulflur was kind enough to hire me. Ken Wheeler helped me get the job in the first place and to this day is a man who has forgotten more about Oregon sports than I’ve ever known. The Journal was a great place, where people such as John Dhulst, Carl Cluff, Brian Cour, Tom McAllister, Floyd Schneidermann, Dayton Turner and Dave Roberts took the time to mentor people like Kerry Eggers, Steve Brandon, Norm Maves and me. It was an amazing place to learn the business under the iron hand of Pasero, who was a newspaper genius.
Later at The Oregonian, Jeff Wohler took a chance on me and threw me on the Trail Blazer beat back in 1984 when he had no business believing I could handle it. Somehow, I managed — thanks to so much help from guys like Jack Ramsay and Stu Inman. Later Terry Frei helped me get the column there and I couldn’t have been more fortunate to have such a willing tutor in doing that job. There, first Bill Hilliard and then Peter Bhatia had my back when I got a little off the track at times.
At the Portland Tribune, Dr. Robert Pamplin treated me with great respect and was generous in so many ways. Steve Clark was always there for me and taught me so much about the newspaper business. And in the sports department, Steve Brandon and Kerry Eggers were not only great friends but standards for hard work that is incredible.
At KPAM, there were Kevin Young and Bill Gallagher and Bill Cooper and Pat Boyle and so many others willing to share the solutions to so many of the mysteries of radio with me.
Now, at 95.5 The Game, Antonio Harvey and I are working with Chad Doing — who is the hardest-working man in show business (really) and an extremely talented young man who carries the show by himself a lot of days. Brian Jennings provides us all the tools we need to be a dominant force in the market in the mornings. This job, I think, is the most fun one I’ve ever had.
Man, am I lucky.
And I haven’t even mentioned my personal life. I have had two best friends since high school. We’re not as close as we used to be but I know if I need them, they’ll be there for me. Tom Trebelhorn and Mike Clopton have been friends for decades and each has established a standard of excellence in his life that I cannot hope to match. But I like to try.
Will and Elizabeth are the best children a man could ever ask for and I’m so proud of them. They have put up with so much over the years because of the demands of my jobs and I hope, on balance, I’ve made them more proud of me than embarrassed by me.
Lastly, my wife Kim is an inspiration. I will try for the rest of my life to be as good a person as she is and probably never make it. Generous, kind, smart, successful, beautiful. Yeah, I know — I’ve outkicked my coverage, gotten out over my skis — whatever way you want to describe it, I have already heard it. She’s perfect for me and we are perfect together.
But, hey, like I said. I’m the luckiest guy I know. And thanks for reading — not only today but for the last three decades or so.
Me | Dwight Jaynes | July 27, 2010
congrats Dwight. You deserve it.
Congrats
Congratulations, Dwight! Well deserved.
Congrats!
I’ve always enjoyed reading you. The recognition is much deserved!
Congrats Dwight, well-deserved! But Don McLeod is not listed as a member of the OSHOF on their website…looks like you beat him in there!
Well deserved ole’ top! Not too shabby, congratulations!! I’ve been reading your writing for a good share of the ride and I will continue to read as long as you can write. Honestly tho, after all the hubbub Doing was making of the big announcement coming today. I had thought Chris Paul was on his way to PDX or something…kidding Godfather. U B Coo&God Bless
Dwight,
You are an institution in Oregon…I know that is humbling to think about but it is true. A few months ago you posted the need for a job and you were putting the feelers out on the blog…Now, you have a new moniker, a new radio gig, a new TV gig and an induction into the Hall of Fame…and a deserved one at that.
Sounds like God has blessed you greatly too…
Congrats Dwight – but check yourself man – your comments about Chad indicate you are emotionally overwhelmed. Hopefully a nice afternoon of watching the water flow by will resolve this.
You deserve it. Congrats
Congrats Dwight!
Like many others, I’ve been reading you for years. I’ve always enjoyed your insight and how you tell it like it is. Congratulations and enjoy it.
Congratulations Dwight! Very well deserved honor. You are the voice of Oregon sports. (Not that I often agree with you!) But you make it fun to discuss sports.
Congratulations Dwight, you are most deserving of this award. We are grateful to have you amongst us and to hear you say it as you see it (even when sometimes it is not the popular thing to do).
Congrats Dwight! Next time I see you at the Rose Garden, I can say it personally.
Mitch
Congratulations to you Dwight. As many have posted in here already, it’s well deserved. I’ve been lucky to be able to read your stuff over the years. As negative as some of the material was, you told it like was and still do to this day. In any case, it was insightful, entertaining and a lot of times I couldn’t wait to get up in the morning to read it. Especially during the “Jail Blazer era”. One of my favorite moments was your “NBA rumormill has Dunleavy in Portland”. You called it months before hand and it came to fruition even when many other were poo, poohing it. And last and not least, I will never forget the time you called me back during the days when email wasn’t used as a communication tool. We chatted for a good half hour about PJ Carlesimo and whether or not he was a good and the right coach of this team.
Of course, you were right. I was wrong. But your material has played a part of a lot of oregonian lives. I’m just one of them. And it’s been great reading you over the years.
Congrats again!
I remember when I was a part-timer with Jim Beseda writing sports agate at the Journal. You were always nice to me and still are. I’m so happy for you.
Deston
Congratulations, Dwight. That you took a chance on me at the Trib is something for which I remain deeply grateful. It was a pleasure working with you.
JQS.
A nice and deserved honor.
Way to go, Dwight. Just started reading your stuff a few years back so the weight I carry is questionable in comparison to some of the old-timers. Regardless, I always enjoy your work and this blog in particular–keep on keeping it real!
You’re welcome. And thanks for years of great sports coverage. Love reading this blog and watching Talking Ball.
Congratulations, Dwight. You deserve it.
Finally something the entire board agrees on. Well deserved – Congratulation Dwight!
Congrats Dwight!! I only recently became aware of the genius that is the Godfather, but I’m sure this honor is well deserved.
The Mount Rushmore of Oregon Sportswriting!!!!
Pasero, Gregory, McCleod, Jaynes.
Wow. Congratulations.
Congratulations, Godfather. You’re the best.. you should go rent one of those party barges you’re always pushing on the radio and have a big ol’ Willamette ho-down!
I hope you know this doesn’t change anything. You are still usually wrong and need to be straightened out with a proper perspective.
Congratulations Dwight!
Things are not at all the way they used to be. Without a well-worn human being like you — an individual who has served as a living bridge, a breathing fossil record — there would be a lot fewer people in Oregon with a sense of context to their local sports knowledge.
At least in part, because you passed our way, Oregon’s new sports day is properly connected with its past. I, for one, am glad to see you become a recognized part of the past and the present, as well as someone who will be remembered in the future.
Well done!
Congrats Dwight. You earned it.
Congratulations!
Congrats! Keep up the great work!
Congratulations Dwight. This is truly an award that you deserve! I feel lucky to have gotten to read your work and hear you on the radio. Also, thanks to your family for sharing you with the world!
Dwight, congratulations for the honor. I’ve been reading your stuff as long as I can remember and agreeing with you roughly two-thirds of the time. It’s too bad you didn’t make it onto TV until later in your career.
Also; in your face, Canzano.
Congrats, Dwight – well deserved. I know you’re probably feeling a little lost today, but don’t worry: It’s something we call “joy” and who knows? Maybe you can build on it!
Congratulations, Dwight. I’ve always enjoyed your work and your willingness to be the contrarian.
Wait….I thought you’d only been nominated, not actually inducted. Just kidding.
I’ve enjoyed our long distance relationship over via the net. You and are are brothers to the end over the sad parting of Beaver baseball and the reasons for it.
Seems that things have really turned around for you the past year. I’m happy for you, your wife, and your family!
Congratulations on an honor that’s well earned and long overdue.
Gary
You’re the lucky one? No, I don’t think so. We are, your loyal readers all these years. Congrats….to an honor that is well deserved.
Hey Dwight,
Here’s to you.
I liked your talk radio show too.
How’s your golf game?
Steve On A Cell Phone From Tualatin
Make a Tee time with Pasero Kremer and I.
dwight, you are a guy that i luv to cuss. most of your stuff i never agree with untill days, weeks, months, and yes even years down the road when i find out your view was right on the money. thanks for spiking my ire, keeping me informed, and most of all lately keeping us all very entertained. congratulations dwight! holy crap it will really piss me off when canzano gets in!!!
Dwight Jaynes selected for Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. That is totally unbelievable. why did it take so long???
I don’t pay much attention to the OSHOF because they have selected so many pc people i have never heard of.
But they at least should get the obvious ones for writers that is Gregory, Pasero and Jaynes. McCleod not so clear to me. but ok.
You’re lucky? No, we’re lucky. Not only are you a great sportswriter, you’re a wonderful human being. Congratulations, and I hope you stick around for a few more decades. But no pressure there…
I probaly oe of the few here who had privilege of reading Gregory, Pasero and Jaynes.
I keep hoping Oregonian can find another, They have not done well in last 20 years findind new columnists.
They let the two good ones Kelly and Frei go elsewhere,
Duin lasted awhile but never had the touch I liked, some of the others were bad
I am hoping Canzano may settle in. He is too dramatic for me yet, more emotion than facts. but he has stayed around.
Congratulations. Well deserved.
Yes, yes, Congratulations, Pip pip, Cheerio, Huzzah! Good Show! About Time! Well Deserved…
Now could you write something midly grumpy? Far too much well adjusted happiness. Save it for September 28th.
Good job Dwight! I’m one of those fans who thought you were too hard on the Blazers back in the day, but you have so changed my mind the last few years. Time and time again, you have proven your thoughts and opinions to be well thought out. This is a well deserved award.
Congrats, have some Spanish “Jamón Serrano” to celebrate it
Congrats D! Not bad for a kid from Moreland. I remember when Pasero retired thinking nobody would ever replace his efforts. I was wrong!