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DEL.ICIO.USAuthor Heinz was at his best on boxing, war
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
Too often, distinguished journalists move on without a proper benediction, like those who write songs but to the singer goes the glory. W.C. Heinz shall not be one of those, especially to those of us who strive along in his path.
Bill Heinz was one of America’s finest writers, not just of sports. Three decades or more ago, his name lit up the sky of journalism. Know who wrote “Run to Daylight” with Vince Lombardi? Know who wrote “M.A.S.H,” the book? Know who wrote “The Professional,” which Ernest Hemingway said was “the only good book about a fighter I’ve ever read” (in a note personally written)?
One and the same W.C. Heinz. There’s more, but first, I want to say this: That there are special persons who influence those who follow them, and those who aspire to their state in journalism, as out of reach as it may be. There was a time when my newspaper sent me to New York to cover major boxing events (Patterson vs. Johanssen, Ali vs. Norton, and so on), and it was on one of these adventures that I happened into Bill Heinz on the street, walking toward a press conference. We talked, and in the time that followed, we became acquaintances and he made this country rube feel like a friend.
He began at the lowest level, as a copyboy. (There are no such now.) He later went to Europe as a war correspondent and followed the 1st Army across France, through the Battle of Huertgen Forest, and on until V-E Day. When he came home, he was given his own column, and America was in for a treat. It was boxing that hooked him, and he came up through the age of Marciano, Pep, Sugar Ray and Graziano, and Stillman’s Gym, more a warehouse filled with sweaty hopefuls, became his campus.
When his newspaper folded, he moved on to freelancing and won award after award, including the A.J. Liebling Award for boxing writing. There wasn’t a subject he couldn’t move into with grace, and thus was led to Dr. H.R. Homberger, who had been struggling with a novel about the war in Korea in 1968. Bill took over, and thus “M.A.S.H” resulted, followed by one of the most successful television shows in history. It may be noted that the author is listed as Richard Hooker. That’s Bill Heinz, his pen name.
After the clock ticked on and journalism sank into its bottomless mire, he was in demand on television, but only occasionally did he respond. Writing was his art, and now a great artist has passed on. He retired to a farm overlooking the Vermont countryside at Dorset. After his wife passed away a few years ago, he moved into a retirement home in Bennington, and it was in a hospital there that Bill Heinz passed away Wednesday. He was 93, but his work is ageless.
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Comments
By Dave
February 27, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Thank you from afar, sir for a beautiful and informative look back at the career of Bill Heinz. His great works have touched us all, from his war reporting to his famed story of Bummy the Brooklyn boxer, through his work with Vince Lombardi and as the co-author of MAS*H. He’s now up there with his former neighbor “Red” Smith … and other greats like Grantland Rice, Damon Runyon, and yes even Howard Cosell, who Heinz collaborated with for a time in the ‘60’s. Thanks again.
By Gene
February 27, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
Furman Bisher is always at his best when he looks back to people and events from his long career. His style and skill is unmatched by anyone I know of in the present. Furman is to sports writing as Mel Allen was to sports broadcasting.
By darrell simmons
February 28, 2008 6:48 AM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher: Thanks for a warm tribute to one of the greats in our profession. Few relate the history of sports as well as you. I recall you recommedned the Fireside Book of Boxung to me many years ago, and it contained memorable efforst by Mr. Heinx. Thank you for not forgetting a fellow who needs remembering.