Canzano: "Dad... that's the one you wrote about me."

You're never as good... or bad... as they tell you.

On the sideline at AT&T Stadium writing a column after a game. (Photo: Bennett Dewan)

Bill Plaschke had my number. No, not my phone number. He had those digits, mind you. What I’m saying is, I couldn’t beat The Los Angeles Times sports columnist.

The Associated Press Sports Editors announced it in 2006 and 2007. Their writing contest declared Plaschke the best sports columnist in the country in back-to-back years. We were in the same large newspaper circulation category at the time.

I finished second — both times.

Plaschke’s always been very good to me. Except when it comes to end-of-the-year writing contests. In those things, he treated me like a piñata.