Well-deserved writing award, John. Interesting: A couple of my fellow ex-newspaper journos were talking yesterday over a frosty about how journalism will survive, and you immediately came up in the discussion. Why are you successful? It’s not just great writing. It’s content — I and others subscribe because you have valuable, relevant and interesting information to share. My local paper doesn’t any more. And that great content comes from experience. You have the sources and knowledge to really dive into sports topics that connect to readers. That’s how journalism will morph and survive.
Don't know if your "local paper" is the Oregonian or not...but you can certainly put the Oregonian in the category of no longer having relevant, honest, objective and important journalism.
Sad...and so unnecessary, Lance. People will still pay for an excellent product. Canzano's a great example. The Oregonian - and your Eugene newspaper - are also examples, unfortunately negative ones.
Yeah, good point, Dwight...probably too late to delete it. Now when his rate goes up like the price of groceries, I suppose you'll be coming looking for me...
Thanks James. We are similar aged. I’m loving my 50’s also have a daughter (not as blessed as you with twins!). I especially appreciate Bari Weiss’ The Free Press.
Well deserved. I stopped my subscription to the Oregonian over 12 years ago. I NEVER stopped reading and/or following you. As the "fish wrap" as it has been known by for years spiralled downward both journalistically and educationally, your columns/writings/musings continued to elevate the reader and help us to know more and thus ponder "what else is there to know about ...?" Congratulations to all of us for staying with it/you.
As I read your article it became apparent, you aren;t just winning it for us... you are trailblazing for the next generation of sportswriters that can;t use newspapers or large media entities to start their careers. It is the first independent writers that need to convince the large media entities that independent writing is to respected and treated as a peer.
You are setting the bar of excellence for the next generation of writers to achieve and make those awards in later years.
Thank you for blazing the way... just hopefully the NYTimes, ESPN, etc arent sailing down an armada to Canzano's Port Royal anytime soon lol
One of the panel Q&A will undoubtedly be "how do you police reader comments?"
It seems to be the default position of publications now to eliminate reader comments, or restrict them severely. You however let a lot happen in the reader comment arena. I think that is a partial reason for your subscription and readership success.
Perhaps on-line columns have fewer legal restrictions related to slander or defamation? I don't know. But, I think one of your advantages in reader comments are periodic clues for other stories you can pursue. It also provides a pulse of the community, though that can be skewed based upon topic.
I often don't agree with reader comments. But, it is wise to remember it is an "opinion" and seeing some that I discount or don't agree still has value.
I feel SO informed following your unfiltered, in depth, unbiased truth. I feel informed and assured that what I read is as close to real truth as there is. I wish I had enough time to read and listen to everything. Keep up the GREAT journalism.
John, you just keep pulling those rabbits out of the hat. First, congratulations on being honored (and recognized) for being the talent and person you are; and thanks for sharing that experience with us. Secondly, I clearly remember you telling us of Anna’s supporting statement on that Las Vegas escalator that you mention. She believes that today contrary to her answer of which you write, she just loves you so much she is protecting you from ego inflation (I’m no psychologist but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express).
Again John, well played and keep it coming. Charlie
First glance, I wondered if “…a 50-year-old entity” was a reference to you, John. 😂 (A 1995 college graduate would be around 50 but I’m neither prying nor ageist.)
Those of us who read you religiously aren’t surprised to see you receive this honor. But it’s no less thrilling. Enjoy the moment. Richly deserved.
Enjoy ur day in Charlotte. We’re up the road a short bit in Davidson, NC, there’s a college up here famous basketball a few yrs bk. ! Two houses on our block here are Oregon Ducks and Yes! We have our tickets for Oct 12. My father was Captain of U of O baseball in the early 1940’s. So enjoy ur articles.
John, congrats, your award is well-deserved. I have read many sports columnists work in my 78 years yours is without doubt the best. You write truth about sports and about humanity. It's a pleasure to read your work. Mike Leach was right " you unfiltered is great."
Hi Ray, I would modify your comment to "among the best". You have a few more years on my reading Sports Columnists but I have lived in Boston, Chicago San Diego, Santa Barbara, Berkeley and for 30 years Corvallis, OR. We both remember having to "buy" a newspaper to read our favorite columnist. I bought he Boston Globe to read Bob Ryan and the LA Times to read Jim Murray.
I agree with your sentiment and I really enjoy John's columns....but "among the best" is more appropriate for me.
Hi Ray....I found this and granted Jim Murray had a powerhouse media publication supporting his nominations, it is hard to argue with his record.....all pre social media of course.
Well-deserved writing award, John. Interesting: A couple of my fellow ex-newspaper journos were talking yesterday over a frosty about how journalism will survive, and you immediately came up in the discussion. Why are you successful? It’s not just great writing. It’s content — I and others subscribe because you have valuable, relevant and interesting information to share. My local paper doesn’t any more. And that great content comes from experience. You have the sources and knowledge to really dive into sports topics that connect to readers. That’s how journalism will morph and survive.
You’re not a pirate. You’re a trailblazer.
Don't know if your "local paper" is the Oregonian or not...but you can certainly put the Oregonian in the category of no longer having relevant, honest, objective and important journalism.
Rich: I was referring to the formerly great daily newspaper in Eugene. 2001: 90-plus journalists (Including me). Today: 6.
Sad...and so unnecessary, Lance. People will still pay for an excellent product. Canzano's a great example. The Oregonian - and your Eugene newspaper - are also examples, unfortunately negative ones.
I'd love to know your answer to the question, “Well, is money everything?”
Congratulations on your well-deserved recognition and outstanding success - you deserve every bit of it.
My subscription cost is the biggest bang for the buck in my entertainment world! Thanks, and keep investigating and writing!
( SHHHHHH!!! you had to go open your big mouth)
Yeah, good point, Dwight...probably too late to delete it. Now when his rate goes up like the price of groceries, I suppose you'll be coming looking for me...
“Mike Leach — the biggest pirate in the sea”. - Love this.
JC’s stack here has all kinds of Mike Leach & Bill Walton vibes to it. I absolutely love it.
Agree. Also, I took a look at your substack subscription list Matt and subscribed to some. Thanks. 🙏
Thanks James. We are similar aged. I’m loving my 50’s also have a daughter (not as blessed as you with twins!). I especially appreciate Bari Weiss’ The Free Press.
50’s is good, but gimpy. I concur on The Free Press.
Well deserved. I stopped my subscription to the Oregonian over 12 years ago. I NEVER stopped reading and/or following you. As the "fish wrap" as it has been known by for years spiralled downward both journalistically and educationally, your columns/writings/musings continued to elevate the reader and help us to know more and thus ponder "what else is there to know about ...?" Congratulations to all of us for staying with it/you.
As I read your article it became apparent, you aren;t just winning it for us... you are trailblazing for the next generation of sportswriters that can;t use newspapers or large media entities to start their careers. It is the first independent writers that need to convince the large media entities that independent writing is to respected and treated as a peer.
You are setting the bar of excellence for the next generation of writers to achieve and make those awards in later years.
Thank you for blazing the way... just hopefully the NYTimes, ESPN, etc arent sailing down an armada to Canzano's Port Royal anytime soon lol
One of the panel Q&A will undoubtedly be "how do you police reader comments?"
It seems to be the default position of publications now to eliminate reader comments, or restrict them severely. You however let a lot happen in the reader comment arena. I think that is a partial reason for your subscription and readership success.
Perhaps on-line columns have fewer legal restrictions related to slander or defamation? I don't know. But, I think one of your advantages in reader comments are periodic clues for other stories you can pursue. It also provides a pulse of the community, though that can be skewed based upon topic.
I often don't agree with reader comments. But, it is wise to remember it is an "opinion" and seeing some that I discount or don't agree still has value.
Really an excellent observation. I also put a lot of value on reader comments and it's one of the reasons I show up.
Dissent and differing opinions are the backbone of a democracy. We have strayed from it.
Consistent excellence. Not remotely close to click bait.
Congrats on your award and the success of your solo venture. All of us are winning
The pirate was right.
Heaven must be an interesting place with Leach, both Schonelys, and Walton there.
Heaven now has it's own Hall Of Fame section or cloud.
Congrats John.
I feel SO informed following your unfiltered, in depth, unbiased truth. I feel informed and assured that what I read is as close to real truth as there is. I wish I had enough time to read and listen to everything. Keep up the GREAT journalism.
“Prior to the launch, my wife told me repeatedly: ‘This isn’t going to be good — it’s going to be GREAT.’ “
In my experience, without the perfect wife, success of a high level is highly improbable
Good on ya, Mr. Canzano 👊🏼
Proud to be on your team
Really good observation...especially from a Huskies fan.
John, you just keep pulling those rabbits out of the hat. First, congratulations on being honored (and recognized) for being the talent and person you are; and thanks for sharing that experience with us. Secondly, I clearly remember you telling us of Anna’s supporting statement on that Las Vegas escalator that you mention. She believes that today contrary to her answer of which you write, she just loves you so much she is protecting you from ego inflation (I’m no psychologist but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express).
Again John, well played and keep it coming. Charlie
Well deserved JC! You are the best sports writer I’ve ever followed. Thank you!
Every time you mention Mike Leach in a story I get tears in my eyes. And your wife is absolutely the best possible partner in support.
Thanks for all the value and insight you bring to us all every time you write! We are grateful!
Sorry Siri misspelled Newell as Noel. Blame it all on Siri.
First glance, I wondered if “…a 50-year-old entity” was a reference to you, John. 😂 (A 1995 college graduate would be around 50 but I’m neither prying nor ageist.)
Those of us who read you religiously aren’t surprised to see you receive this honor. But it’s no less thrilling. Enjoy the moment. Richly deserved.
Enjoy ur day in Charlotte. We’re up the road a short bit in Davidson, NC, there’s a college up here famous basketball a few yrs bk. ! Two houses on our block here are Oregon Ducks and Yes! We have our tickets for Oct 12. My father was Captain of U of O baseball in the early 1940’s. So enjoy ur articles.
John, congrats, your award is well-deserved. I have read many sports columnists work in my 78 years yours is without doubt the best. You write truth about sports and about humanity. It's a pleasure to read your work. Mike Leach was right " you unfiltered is great."
Hi Ray, I would modify your comment to "among the best". You have a few more years on my reading Sports Columnists but I have lived in Boston, Chicago San Diego, Santa Barbara, Berkeley and for 30 years Corvallis, OR. We both remember having to "buy" a newspaper to read our favorite columnist. I bought he Boston Globe to read Bob Ryan and the LA Times to read Jim Murray.
I agree with your sentiment and I really enjoy John's columns....but "among the best" is more appropriate for me.
Hi Ray....I found this and granted Jim Murray had a powerhouse media publication supporting his nominations, it is hard to argue with his record.....all pre social media of course.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Murray_(sportswriter)