N.Y. Times columnist George Vecsey has decided to "step back" from his role with the newspaper, and his decision has drawn reaction from many in the journalism world. Vecsey Saturday wrote, "I love being a lifer at The New York Times, but a few things have convinced me that it is time to step back (not using the R-word) and write for the paper occasionally. I will always treasure the privilege of writing the Sports of The Times column" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/17). The N.Y. Times' Mark Bishop wrote on his Twitter feed, "Impossible to describe how we'll miss George Vescey in 140 characters." The Bergen Record's Steve Adamak wrote, "The business loses another voice, and person, of class." ESPN.com's Bonnie Ford wrote, "Hard to imagine press boxes without my dear friend and colleague George Vescey." Current TV's Keith Olbermann wrote, "Sportswriting's great loss. ... The press box will miss his constant class." Telemundo soccer announcer Andres Cantor wrote, "Today, with melancholy, I read George Vecsey's last column in the NYT. Great writer. Wrote about soccer when no one dared. Will be missed." CNN's Dave Schechter wrote, "Thank you George Vecsey, for your eloquence and for thinking soccer cool back when being a fan wasn't." Political commentator Mike Barnicle wrote, "NYT sports section will never be same without great George Vecsey. Wonderful writer, great reporter, fine human being. True trifecta." SI's Jon Wertheim wrote, "Notice the heavy rotation of the word 'gentleman' accompanying george vecsey news. What more can you ask for upon your retirement?"
