Dick Schaap

Dick Schaap was an American sportswriter and author whose career spanned four decades. He published more than 40 books on a wide range of topics, including sports, politics and celebrity stories. Schaap wrote for numerous publications including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and NBC Sports. He was one of the first sportswriters to delve into the personal lives of athletes, notably in his 1965 book about baseball great Mickey Mantle, "The Story of a Country Boy".

Schaap was born June 27, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York, to parents Harold and Elizabeth Schaap and attended Brooklyn's Midwood High School. He initially interested in becoming a politician, but he soon discovered a passion for journalism. He attended the City College of New York and graduated in 1956 with a degree in sociology. After graduation, Schaap joined United Press International as a sports writer and rose to become New York sports editor.

During his years at UPI, Schaap earned a reputation as a relentless workaholic who would do whatever it took to get the scoop. He was among the first to report on the off-field troubles of baseball’s greatest star, Mickey Mantle, and his writing gained national attention. In 1965, Schaap published “The Story of a Country Boy: Mickey Mantle” which chronicled Mantle’s personal struggles, such as his drinking and marital problems.

Schaap’s career in journalism took a new turn when he was offered an anchor position at the local sports program “7-Live.” He accepted the job and shortly thereafter it was changed to a national program entitled “The Schaap and Page Show.” Over the years, this show provided viewers with in-depth analysis on various sports topics, such as the latest news from the Olympics and the status of various professional sports leagues.

Schaap’s career continued to expand, and in 1978 he was offered a position as the host of ESPN’s “SportsCenter”. He ran the show until 1982, but continued to work as a commentator and analyst for NBC Sports and several other outlets. Schaap’s books also continued to sell well; during the 90s and 2000s he authored numerous books on topics ranging from the Beatles to basketball.

In 2002, Schaap died suddenly at age 67 while vacationing in Florida. The cause of death was later determined to be an aneurism. At the time of his death, he had written 41 books, was the host of three national talk shows, and had won seven Emmys. In 2004, he was posthumously inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Dick Schaap will be remembered as one of the most respected sportswriters of his generation. He was a pioneer in the field of sports journalism, tackling personal stories and controversial topics before it was considered acceptable. Even after his death, Schaap’s legacy lives on through his books and his fantastic writing.