Jay Greenberg (journalist)

Jay Greenberg
Born1950[notes 1]
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, US
Died (aged 71)
Englishtown, New Jersey, US
EducationUniversity of Missouri (BA)
OccupationJournalist
SpouseMona (married)
Children2
AwardsElmer Ferguson Memorial Award

Jay Greenberg (1950[2] – August 12, 2021) was an American sports journalist. During his career, he has worked for The Kansas City Star, Philadelphia Daily News, the Philadelphia Bulletin, Toronto Sun, and New York Post.

In 2013, Greenberg was awarded the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award by the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Early life and education

Greenberg was born and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He stated that growing up watching the Johnstown Jets made him a fan of hockey.[3][4]

Greenberg attended Westmont Hilltop High School before attending the University of Missouri. After graduating from the University of Missouri, Greenberg began working at The Kansas City Star.[3]

Career

In his second year with the Star, Greenberg was assigned as a beat reporter on the Kansas City Scouts.[3][5] He covered the Scouts during their inaugural season.[3][6] However, his time at the Star was short-lived as in 1975 Greenberg was hired by the Philadelphia Bulletin as the Philadelphia Flyers beat reporter.[4] He stayed with the Bulletin, and later the Philadelphia Daily News, for 14 years before joining Sports Illustrated in 1989.[4] While with the Philadelphia Daily News, Greenberg covered "The Trade" which sent Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings. After being unable to ask questions during the press conference, Greenberg was offered an exclusive interview with Gretzky personally.[1] Of the incident, Greenberg stated, "I got stuff that next day that no one else got ... Wayne was the most aware superstar. He knew how frustrating it was that no one had any time with him. I'll never forget that."[1] After one more job at the Toronto Sun for two years, Greenberg wrote a general sports column for the New York Post for the next 17 years.[4]

In 1996, Greenberg wrote a book titled "Full Spectrum: The Complete History of the Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Club" for the Flyers' 30th Anniversary season. He was later hired by Mark Howe to write an autobiography titled "Gordie Howe's Son".[6] In 2013, Greenberg was named a lifetime member of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association[7] and was awarded the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award by the Hockey Hall of Fame.[6] Greenberg then began writing for hockeybuzz.com and princetontigersfootball.com.[8]

Personal life

Greenberg and his wife, Mona, were married for 44 years and were the parents of two daughters, Stephanie and Elizabeth.[9] He died at his home in Englishtown, New Jersey, on August 12, 2021, from complications of West Nile virus.[10]

Publications

The following is a list of publications:[11]

  • Philadelphia Flyers at 50: the story of the iconic hockey club and its top 50 heroes, wins & events (2016)
  • Gordie Howe's Son (2014)
  • Full Spectrum: the Complete History of The Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Club (1996)
  • NHL, the world of professional hockey (1981)

Notes

  1. ^ In 2013, Greenberg was reported to be 63[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Seravalli, Frank (November 11, 2013). "Former Flyers beat writer Greenberg entering Hockey Hall". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  2. ^ "Jay Greenberg Obituary – Death, Sport Journalist Jay Greenberg Has Died | Inside Eko". insideeko.com. Archived from the original on 2021-08-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ a b c d Mastovich, Mike (November 26, 2013). "Johnstown native honored by Hall, releases book". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d Kenny Ayres (November 11, 2013). "Writing onto the wall". NHL.com. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  5. ^ "Jay Greenberg: Honored by the Hall of Fame for watching hockey? Thanks!". thehockeynews.com. November 11, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c SanFilippo, Anthony (June 11, 2013). "Former Flyers Beat Writer Going in the Hall". NHL.com. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  7. ^ "Lifetime PHWA Members". thephwa.com. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  8. ^ "Jay Greenberg". muckrack.com. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  9. ^ Elliott, Bob (November 11, 2013). "Former Sun columnist Greenberg honoured". Toronto Sun. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  10. ^ Hornby, Lance (August 13, 2021). "Jay Greenberg delighted Sun readers and the hockey world". Toronto Sun. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  11. ^ "au: Greenberg, Jay". worldcat.org. Retrieved April 1, 2019.