Former Suns analyst Joe Gilmartin dies

[Mainstreet]

Former columnist Joe Gilmartin for the Phoenix Gazette dies at age 88.

I know many will not remember Gilmartin but he carved out some history with his coverage of the Suns.

Gilmartin was named Arizona Sportswriter of the year a record 16 times and retired from the Republic after the Gazette merged with the morning paper.

He was best known for his coverage of the Phoenix Suns. He wrote a book – “The Little Team That Could … And Darn Near Did,” - about the 1975-76 Suns team that reached the NBA Finals and served as the Suns’ color analyst. He was named the first president of the Professional Basketball Writer Association in 1972 and in 2004 was inducted into the Hall of Fame as the Curt Gowdy Award winner.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Joe’s passing," the Suns said in a statement. "A Hall of Fame writer, Joe knew the game as well as anyone, but he coupled that knowledge with the unique ability to report with his trademark humor, a trait that matched his lovable personality. Joe always greeted you with a smile and it’s his warm nature that will be missed more than anything. Our thoughts are with all of Joe’s family and friends.”

Rest in peace.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...-analyst-gazette-columnist-dies-88/380840002/

 

[Raindog]

RIP. Sad to hear... read his stuff all the years I was growing up in Phoenix (and later) when he was the beat writer for the Suns... and of course his chronicle of the 1976 miracle run. Great memories.

 

[Ronin]

https://mobile.twitter.com/bretthansen5

Brett Hansen

@bretthansen5

Tonight's Suns and tomorrow's Coyotes broadcasts on FOX Sports Arizona will both offer tributes to Joe Gilmartin. Suns pregame starts at 5:30.

 

[JCSunsfan]

RIP. Sad to hear... read his stuff all the years I was growing up in Phoenix (and later) when he was the beat writer for the Suns... and of course his chronicle of the 1976 miracle run. Great memories.

His book on the 1976 Suns run was the first sports book I ever read. He wasn't just a beat writer, he was a fan. I can still hear his voice in my head.

 

[Covert Rain]

R.I.P.

 

[BC867]

'Sorry to hear about Joe. He started with the Phoenix Gazette (afternoon paper), then moved to the Az. Republic when the Gazette folded.

I had few conversations with Joe at the food court of Paradise Valley Mall when he was still writing. What a wonderful and down to earth guy.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

'Sorry to hear about Joe. He started with the Phoenix Gazette (afternoon paper), then moved to the Az. Republic when the Gazette folded.

I had few conversations with Joe at the food court of Paradise Valley Mall when he was still writing. What a wonderful and down to earth guy.

I had totally forgotten about the Gazette. We didn’t even get that growing up (just the republic) but just being reminded of it gave me a nice throwback feeling.

 

[Mainstreet]

I had totally forgotten about the Gazette. We didn’t even get that growing up (just the republic) but just being reminded of it gave me a nice throwback feeling.

I'm thinking the Phoenix Gazette was the evening edition and the Arizona Republic the morning edition.

 

[BC867]

I'm thinking the Phoenix Gazette was the evening edition and the Arizona Republic the morning edition.

That's right. I referred to the Gazette as the afternoon paper in post #6. Dropping afternoon papers was happening around the country at that time.

 

[BC867]

'Sorry for the duplicate post. I kept getting an error message.

 

[AZ Native]

'Sorry to hear about Joe. He started with the Phoenix Gazette (afternoon paper), then moved to the Az. Republic when the Gazette folded.

I had few conversations with Joe at the food court of Paradise Valley Mall when he was still writing. What a wonderful and down to earth guy.

That is so weird. I also subscribed to the Gazette and loved his writing. I too talked to him at the same food court.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

That is so weird. I also subscribed to the Gazette and loved his writing. I too talked to him at the same food court.

Pizza D’Amore!

 

[Dback Jon]

RIP to a great columnist.


His son Leo works on the Dbacks broadcasts.

 

[TRW]

Another local legend gone. R.I.P. JG.

 

[Ronin]

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