Each year, the Associated Press Sports Editors hands out its major award to a person who has made “major contributions to sports journalism.” The award was named for Red Smith, who was the first recipient in 1981.
You could have made a strong argument that another Smith’s name should be on the award: Wendell Smith. Red Smith likely would agree.
Wednesday, APSE announced that Wendell Smith will be the 2014 winner of the Red Smith Award. To say this is way overdue would be an understatement.
You can’t name another sportswriter who had more impact on sports and society than Wendell Smith. The movie 42 highlighted his role in forcing the integration of baseball and how he helped shepherd Jackie Robinson through his first year in Brooklyn.
Here is a link to my column on Smith last year when the movie was released.
In announcing the Red Smith Award on the APSE site, Rhiannon Walker had this passage:
Next month, Smith will be honored as the recipient of the Associated Press Sports Editors’ Red Smith Award. The family of Smith, who passed away in 1972, will accept the award on June 27, which would have been his 100th birthday.
“I think it’s wonderful; I’m deeply honored,” said Wyonella Smith, Wendall’s wife. “After all this time, it’s wonderful. It’s a surprise. I was really surprised, but I am just deeply honored that he was remembered so, and respected and that his contribution has been acknowledged.”
George Solomon, director of the Povich Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, named an award after Smith and contemporary Sam Lacy to honor journalists who embody their ideals.
“[Smith] endured lots and lots of prejudices and slights, and we felt what a way to honor their memory,” Solomon said. “As for APSE honoring Wendell Smith, a friend of mine said it’s a long time coming, and it’s true. … He did so much for the cause of fairness in sports.”
Here is a list of the previous winners of the Red Smith. Many legendary names to be sure, including Sam Lacy of the Baltimore Afro-American, who won the award in 1998.
It may be overdue, but it will be good to finally see Wendell Smith’s name on this list.
One of the first African-American TV sports anchors as well when WGN-TV hired him. he was ‘dry’ to be sure and TV wasn’t his strength but the hiring was still significant. Ed…any chance you can contact WGN to see if they have any remaining video on Smith on the set?