John Drebinger
BornMarch 23, 1891
Staten Island, New York
DiedOctober 22, 1979(1979-10-22) (aged 88)
Greensboro, North Carolina
OccupationBaseball reporter
Years active1911–1964
Employer(s)Staten Island Advance,
The New York Times
SpouseMadeline
Children1
AwardsJ. G. Taylor Spink Award (1973)

John Drebinger (March 23, 1891 – October 22, 1979), nicknamed "Drebby", was an American sportswriter in New York City for over 50 years. Between 1929 and 1963, he wrote the lead story in The New York Times for every World Series contest, a total of 203 games.[1]

Biography

Drebinger graduated from Curtis High School on Staten Island and went to work for the Staten Island Advance in 1911.[2] He moved to The New York Times in 1923, and worked there until retiring in 1964.[3] Drebinger estimated that he traveled 1,230,000 miles (1,980,000 km) in his career as a sportswriter covering the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, and New York Yankees.[4]

In 1973, Drebinger was honored by the Baseball Writers' Association of America with the J. G. Taylor Spink Award for distinguished baseball writing.[4]

Drebinger died at a nursing home in North Carolina in October 1979.[5] He was survived by his wife, Madeline, and a son.[6]

References

  1. ^ "John Drebinger". New York Daily News. October 24, 1979. p. 48. Retrieved March 2, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "John Drebinger: Legendary Sportswriter began career on Staten Island; helped turn a newspaper around with compelling writing and unique publicity stunt". Secret Staten Island. February 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-02-23.
  3. ^ "John Drebinger Retires Today After Forty Years with the Times" (PDF). The New York Times. April 1, 1964.
  4. ^ a b "1973 BBWAA Career Excellence Award Winner John Drebinger". baseballhall.org. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  5. ^ "John Drebinger, 88, Reporter for Times: Covered Baseball for 40 Years and Saw All 203 World Series Games from 1929-1963" (PDF). The New York Times. October 24, 1979.
  6. ^ "John Drebinger, at 88". The Evening Sun. Baltimore. October 24, 1979. p. 25. Retrieved March 2, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
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