L.A. Times baseball columnist ROSS NEWHAN was elected
to the writer's wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame
yesterday by winning the J.G. TAYLOR SPINK AWARD for
meritorious contributions to baseball writing, according to
Bill Plaschke of the L.A. TIMES. Newhan, the second L.A.
Times staffer to win the award after the late JIM MURRAY, is
known for "a graceful, dignified prose that is unafraid to
bit when necessary." In a "close vote" among members of the
Baseball Writers Association of America, Newhan "edged"
former Boston Globe writer PETER GAMMONS and the Detroit
News' JOE FALLS. Newhan remarked on covering baseball: "Of
all the sports, it presents more opportunity for strategy
and drama and writing" (L.A. TIMES, 10/26).
NEW OFFICERS NAMED FOR THE BBWA: The Montreal Gazette's
IAN MACDONALD was elected President of the Baseball Writers'
Association of America yesterday, replacing the Lowell Sun's
CHARLES SCOGGINS. The Dallas Morning News' Ken Daley, the
Toronto Sun's Bob Elliott, the Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers
and the Seattle Times' Larry Stone were elected to the Board
of Dirs (AP, 10/26).
