They say you should never meet your idols. I got to work with one of mine for the last few years. It’s been one of the greatest honors of my career and an experience that I’ll still be talking about 30 years from now.
I wanted to become a sportswriter because I grew up reading Paul Daugherty’s columns. I remember sitting in the backseat as a kid while I was on my way to school, picking up the sports section of The Enquirer every day and learning from everything Daugherty wrote.
He always said his goal was to “provoke honestly.” His ability to do that inspired me to go into this business. His retirement marks the end of an era.
Doc's goodbye: Goodbye but hopefully not farewell, my friends
“I hope you have appreciated Doc’s work over all these years as I have,” Marty Brennaman said, “Because his talent will not, soon, come this way again.”
“Being the conscience for all of Cincinnati is not easy,” Mick Cronin said, “Yet Doc made it seem so.”
The greatest column I’ve ever read was Doc’s preview of the Bengals’ playoff game versus the Steelers at the end of the 2015 season. “We approach the next game with equal parts worship and dread. It's a conflicted attitude that only Cincinnati can understand,” he wrote.
Paul Daugherty:I’m retiring. The mountains aren’t going anywhere. Such a gift.
Doc's final Morning Line:You were TML, Mobsters. I was simply the conductor.
Daugherty understands Cincinnati as well as anyone. As he retired this week, he’s leaving just as big of a legacy with the lessons he taught about family, about the power of words and about the importance of treating each other fairly. This summer, I’ll be wondering how his annual trip with his son to the North Carolina mountains went.
Daugherty left an impact everywhere he went. Here’s what some local sports figures who spent the most time with Daugherty had to say about him.
Marty Brennaman on Paul Daugherty
Former Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman: Former Reds general manager Dick Wagner once told me, ‘you can count your real friends on one hand.’ Whether you believe it or not is immaterial. I mention it only to point out my opinion of Paul Daugherty is written with great prejudice.
As a columnist, and not purely a sports columnist, he has no peer. Traveling the country as I did for my job, I found myself comparing Doc’s work with those writing for other major newspapers. None were better.
Classic Doc: Pete Rose is the boy from Braddock Street
Classic Doc:Marge Schott did as she pleased while owning the Cincinnati Reds
Rarely, if ever, did he write a column that wasn’t thought provoking and that, among many other things, separated him from the pack. To say he will be sorely missed is a big understatement. I hope you have appreciated Doc’s work over all these years as I have because his talent will not, soon, come this way again. Doc, all the best in retirement, my friend. It might be the only thing that will improve your golf game.
Bob Castellini on Paul Daugherty
Cincinnati Reds CEO Bob Castellini: Sports brings people together, and Paul has helped us understand why through his candid commentary on the competitions themselves, and his insights about those playing and those drawn to follow. He is an excellent writer whose column I have always been interested in reading, regardless of the sport he is covering.
And whether I agree or disagree with him, his articles are consistently thought provoking and engaging. He has been an important voice in the Cincinnati sports scene for decades, and I am going to miss reading Doc’s clever turn of a phrase.
Paul Daugherty: Someday there will be another moment like Eric Davis gave us in 1990
He has helped shape the halo of emotions that surrounds all our beloved teams and players, and I for one am grateful that Paul devoted his talents to Cincinnati sports fans through (The) Enquirer, where he strengthened the pull that sports have on our hearts through the power of his pen.
Mick Cronin on Paul Daugherty
Former Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Mick Cronin: This is truly the end of an era for Cincinnati sports. I know I’m a long way from playing point guard at La Salle High School now, but it is very hard to believe that Doc is hanging up his pen. I’ve long considered Doc to be the most gifted with his pen that I have known. Now, his opinions? Well, we all have had our own opinions on some of Doc’s … LOL!
Covering everything in sports and being the conscience for all of Cincinnati is not easy, yet Doc made it seem so. I’d like to add that I know Doc was thoughtful because he cared enough to consult me and others at times to check his compass on a topic. We shared a cigar in Los Angeles during Super Bowl week and I learned this – Doc will not miss the travel of the job, but he will miss the readers. No, he didn’t admit it, but he will.
Classic Doc: Crosstown Shootout meltdown turns to brawl
Unless L.A. becomes cheaper, I won’t see you, my guy, Johnny Thinwallet, but I hope to have a stick again. Hit ‘em straight and enjoy your family.
Dan Hoard on Paul Daugherty
Bengals and Bearcats broadcaster Dan Hoard: In Jim Valvano’s famous “Don’t Ever Give Up” speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards, he said that there are three things that we should do every day: Laugh, think, and cry.
Since I moved to Cincinnati in November of 1995, Paul Daugherty’s writing has made me do all of those things.
He’s also pissed me off from time to time.
Paul Daugherty: Hero is an overused term, but not in the case of Lauren Hill
Like any great columnist, Doc is provocative and while I occasionally don’t agree with him, I am always interested in what he has to say. I appreciate his fearlessness in tackling any subject and marvel at his ability to write so eloquently.
Paul is one of the best sports columnists in the country and probably could have worked for any newspaper in America. We’re fortunate that he fell in love with Cincinnati and shared his talent with us for more than three decades.
I look forward to reading whatever books Doc writes in the future, and hope to play many mediocre rounds of golf together.
Marvin Lewis on Paul Daugherty
Former Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis: His reputation kind of preceded him. I think he’s very smart, very bright. I think he’s very willing to listen. I don’t think people gave him credit for that in covering the Bengals and so forth.
A lot of times he just had questions and wanted to know. He was going to be sitting in that front row and was going to ask the questions. He was consistent in that way.
Doc's Morning Line:When do we know it's time to go?
If there were things he was unsure about or whatever, he’d want to talk further about it. He was very fair that way.
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