RSPA: Missildine, Blanchette Are 2 Different Types

Rainbow Sparkle Pony Angel: (Harry) Missildine was a helluva sportswriter, very old school, very good ole boy network, booze swilling, cigar chomping sportswriter. Blanchette represents a newer type of writer, more ironic and a remarkably high stylist but much less boosterism. Missildine put more of himself into his writing, you felt like you were sitting next to him in the stands while he scribbled notes or drank beer, you don’t get that personalized feeling with Blanchette, he maintains a much greater emotional and personal distance from the reader. But it gives him the freedom to do stuff that Missildine couldn’t. Two different styles. Two different times. Both were/are great. Here’s the interesting question, DFO prefers Blanchette but which of the two types of writers do you think he is? Detached and uber-ironic, clever stylist, or Personal, down to earth, straight ahead stylist?

DFO: I feel there are two types of journalists: writers and reporters. I’m in the second camp, with a deep appreciation for those who can make words sing on paper: Doug Clark, John Blanchette, Dave Boling (Tacoma News-Tribune), Art Thiel (Seattle PI). I used to envy them until I understood my wiring better. I’ve done OK for myself by embracing the short-form, three-dot style … of Walter Winchell and Herb Caen. But I’m a sucker for good writing and story telling. OrangeTV and Bob Salsbury know how to turn good phrases. Too bad they didn’t go into journalism, too.