Advertisement

Baseball world reacts to death of former Pirates writer Tom Singer

By Stephen J. Nesbitt / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 8 years ago

Most everyone, it seems, was caught off-guard Wednesday by news of former Pirates beat writer Tom Singer’s recent death. Singer, 67, died suddenly Monday in his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. Here is his obituary, but there were so many heartfelt reactions poured out that it seemed worthwhile to add them all together here for readers who remember Tom’s good work the past four years here in Pittsburgh.

Tom grew up in Pittsburgh, so the Pirates were his childhood team. He also spent many years in Los Angeles covering the Angels, so his Twitter bio is a lovely final act: ”From Pirates to doing it all for MLB.com. The season after I left the Angels beat, they won the World Series. Plan the parade, Pittsburgh.” He had “retired” to Scottsdale to become a national writer for MLB.com. 

First, here are thoughts from his former colleagues:

Jen Langosch, MLB.com St. Louis Cardinals writer who covered the Pirates before Tom: ”When Tom stepped in to replace me as MLB.com’s Pirates beat writer in 2012, I had no reservations about his ability to provide the comprehensive coverage that the Pittsburgh fan base deserved. He was there to document the team’s first winning season in two decades and to bring readers behind the scenes when the Pirates became postseason participants once again. Tom covered the organization’s renaissance with a fervor unmatched by others in this business. Having spent his formative years growing up in Pittsburgh, he offered a unique perspective in his role as the Pirates’ beat writer. He cherished the Pirates teams of his youth, but also appreciated the city’s new generation of stars. Tom was an eccentric man with a vast knowledge of pop culture, and that made him unique in this business. In an industry where so much news is being offered in 140 characters or less, Tom had a gift for storytelling and for seeing the game through a different lens. He loved baseball dearly and cherished his time in Pittsburgh. I am confident in saying that the only thing missing from Tom’s professional portfolio was covering the day the Pirates bring a World Championship back to Pittsburgh. Nothing would have made him happier.”

Adam Berry, MLB.com’s current Pirates writer: ”It's obviously an incredibly sad day personally and for the entire MLB.com family. Tom was one of the first journalists hired at MLB.com, and it wasn't hard to see how much he loved working here. (And not just because it was literally on his license plate.) ... He was a one-of-a-kind person. He had a unique sense of style and humor. He looked at the game differently than a lot of other reporters, and he was a master of obscure baseball trivia and history. He was a gifted writer and storyteller -- and the man had a ton of stories to tell about his life and time covering baseball. It was a pleasure to spend the last year working closely with Tom, learning about the beat and the city. ... Tom loved his family, colleagues, co-workers and friends. He loved the Pirates. He loved Pittsburgh. And man, did he love baseball like no other. He never lost his passion for the game. ... Before he left Pittsburgh, we gave Tom a framed picture of the view from the PNC Park press box to take home -- a gift on behalf of Pittsburgh's baseball writers. The first game we covered together last season, he caught me staring out at the downtown skyline and said, "It's a view you never get tired of." That stuck with me, because it was just so Tom. He never got tired of that view, of this city, of watching the Pirates, of his job, of his co-workers and colleagues, of this company and especially not of baseball. He's going to be missed by a lot of people.”

Frank Coonelly, Pirates team president: ”We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Pirates reporter Tom Singer. Tom was an ultimate professional and a passionate reporter who was very proud of his Pittsburgh roots. Tom covered his childhood team extraordinarily well over the last four seasons. Tom will be deeply missed by all of us and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

And many more thoughts from players and media members ...