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Crist Blog | January 09, 2009
Joe Hirsch, 1928-2009
Joe Hirsch died this morning in New York at the age of 80. He was the heart and soul of Daily Racing Form for decades, a giant in the industry and a dear friend to many.
His extended family is at a loss for words at the moment on this sad day, but someone suggested I post what I wrote about Joe six years ago in a book published a year before his retirement from DRF:
"...I went by [trainer John] Campo’s barn at Belmont to see what the summer plans were for [Pleasant Colony]. I introduced myself as the new guy and Campo wasn’t shy about welcoming me to the job.
“Let me tell you something, and learn to listen carefully when the Fat Man tells you something,” he began. “You don’t know nothing. Nothing. Whatever you think you know, you don’t know it. You want to learn about this game, you stay close to the Fat Man and maybe you’ll learn something.
“And another thing,” he said. “I don’t know you from something I’d scrape off my shoe but I seen you around with the other reporters. I seen you wearing a trench coat. Only one guy in the press box gets to wear a trench coat and that’s Mr. Joe Hirsch who’s the only guy up there who’s got a clue. Don’t let me see you back here in a trench coat again and maybe you’ll be okay.”
Campo’s opinion of Hirsch was universal around the racetrack. Hirsch was the hardest-working turf writer in the country, combing the stables every morning for news. He considered himself not only a pipeline for official news through the Form, but also an ambassador for the sport, presenting it in its most favorable light while always comporting himself as a gentleman and diplomat. He had no interest in turning over rocks to look for trouble, nor did he feel it was part of his job. He believed certain things were best left unsaid and problems should be solved quietly behind closed doors.
His work ethic was unbelievable. Every spring he single-handedly covered the run-up to the Triple Crown with an exhaustive daily report, Derby Doings, which might list as many as 30 horses being considered for the race. Joe hunted down every one of them each day. Racetrack officials and reporters from around the country called Joe to find out who was pointing for the Derby, not the other way around. Form readers looked forward to the annual debut of Derby Doings as a more reliable confirmation of springtime than the first robin.
Part of Joe’s ambassadorial role was to nurture new additions to the press box, to help them track down people and stories so that racing would get as much space as possible in the sports pages of daily general newspapers. Joe was so widely recognized as a steady mentor for young people that Sonny Werblin, who owned a string of racehorses as well as the New York Jets, turned to Hirsch in 1965 to provide guidance and stability to a newcomer to New York: Joe Namath, whom Werblin moved into Hirsch’s Manhattan apartment.
When I officially got the Times job, I became Joe’s new project. The amount of coverage The New York Times gave racing was particularly important to the sport, and it was both Joe’s self-appointed duty and his natural kindness to younger writers that made him my guardian. He would occasionally share breaking news with me because he felt it was more important for the Times to report something than for him to have an exclusive in the Form. He would sometimes ask me to join him on morning rounds at the track or for dinner in Manhattan after the races, and he would not hear of splitting a check, much less surrendering one entirely.
One time after Joe had again picked up the tab for an extravagant meal, I asked him if there wasn’t something I could do for him in return.
“Always wear a necktie when you go to the paddock,” was his lone request....
Posted by Steven Crist Jan 9, 2009 1:14:41 PM | Permalink
Keywords:
Comments
jeff_tatus says:
I grew up in Detroit and my best friends were an Irish family that lived several blocks away. I was at their house more than my own and from time to time, observed more than I should have.
My friend's father was a hard working, hard playing, hard drinking, hard handicapping, and an ultra hard disciplinarian of his 4 Irish sons. If there were any "troubles" with his boys while the father was at work or play, everything (all life) halted when he returned home from Detroit Race Course (his last stop). It didn't take long to figure out that a bad day at the track someone increased the punishment, but one thing is also certain; if the next day's Racing Form (especially Joe Hirsch's column) was placed anywhere near his reading chair in the front room to the front door, the beatings were never very severe and often postponed as the father was always more interested in what "Joe has to say about this..." or what "Joe has said about that..."
After everything I witnessed in that house during my teenage years, I can assure you that Joe Hirsch is a Saint in Heaven by now.
I am also grateful that Joe Hirsch was such a great influence in Steve's life as this now explains why I liked Steve's writing and viewpoints almost immediately. Everything makes more sense but it's still really sad to lose someone who touched so many so deeply. If there's a heaven, he's in by many lengths.
Posted by Jeff Tatus Jan 13, 2009 1:06:53 PM
michael_thomas says:
Kathy Johnson's comment tells everybody everywhere everything they'll ever need to know about what's great about racing.
Posted by Michael Thomas Jan 12, 2009 12:18:40 PM
walt says:
Was extremely busy over the weekend so I did not find out about this until early Monday morning, as there was little I saw in the mainstream press about it.
It's no secret Mr. Hirsch was a giant in the industry, and it's only fitting we have a major prep race for the BC Turf at Belmont among other things named in his honor.
What's really sad is that this was not a bigger story than it was, as he truly was a giant of the Sport of Kings.
Posted by Walt Jan 12, 2009 12:18:40 PM
mike_d says:
Joe's columns the big race on Saturdays late in his stellar career were a must read because more often than not, be it a favorite or a longshot, he was writing about the winner. You can look it up.
Posted by Mike D Jan 11, 2009 10:29:21 PM
jim_mulvihill says:
DRF offered me a special opportunity to drive Joe around during the 2001 Saratoga meet. I wrote about it on my Fair Grounds blog: http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/blog/remembering-joe-hirsch
I'll always be grateful to the amazing people at DRF for giving me that chance. My thoughts are with all of you.
Posted by Jim Mulvihill Jan 11, 2009 10:29:21 PM
sid_fernando says:
Steve and Steve, nice posts. I had several dinners (only he could pick up the check!)and spent several afternoons with him because our mutual friend was another late, great write, Leon Rasmussen, and I yes, he was a great guy and a true gentleman.
Posted by Sid Fernando Jan 11, 2009 10:29:21 PM
vegan says:
Steve,
He didn't even ask you to cut your hair? WOW!
Posted by vegan Jan 11, 2009 10:29:21 PM
kathy_johnson says:
I have a few lovely memories of Joe, too. The night before my dad's induction into the Hall of Fame, my parents gave a party at the Wishing Well for their close friends. Joe had taken a cab there as he wasn't driving any longer and I told him that my husband Don and I would be happy to drive him home. I remember telling him, mid-party, to let me know when he was ready to leave. He said "Kathy, I never leave a party till it's over, especially this one!" When it was over, Joe and Don and I piled into our car, with me taking the backseat over Joe's protestations that he'd be fine back there. When Don turned on the car, "California Girls" came blasting out of the speakers. I was mortified. If it had to happen, why couldn't it have been Sinatra, or maybe Mozart? Don quickly turned the volume down and we apologized. Joe took a second, then said, "I've always loved the Beach Boys; I think Pet Sounds is brilliant and that Brian Wilson is a musical genius." Don put our Pet Sounds CD into the player, and we listened to it all the way back to Joe's place. The next day, when I told P.G. about what had happened, he shrugged and smiled, "I'm not surprised; Joe knows a lot about a lot of things, he's a cool guy." Many years later, on the day in August that my dad died, just four months after my mother, Joe called me. I didn't take many calls that day, but I took Joe's. He said, "I'm so sorry, your parents were wonderful people and I don't have the words to tell you how sorry I am for you and Karen." On Friday, I knew exactly how he felt.
Posted by Kathy Johnson Jan 11, 2009 10:29:20 PM
bob_summers says:
When I first started covering racing for The Buffalo News it didn't take me long to figure out that Joe Hirsch was a guy to stay close to. No matter how busy a trainer was, he always stopped what he was doing when Joe stopped by the barn. I was very impressed by the fact that while the rest of us reporters were laden with tape recorders and notebooks, Joe came equipped just with a little drug-store spiral book he could hold in the palm of his hand or, more often, in the pocket of his trench coat. He listened well, asked good questions and took very little notes. But I don't think anybody complained that he was misquoted. ... Also I remember that on the morning after a big race, Joe's first question to the winning trainer was usually "Where did you have dinner last night?" I thought it was a strange question but it usually led to some interesting conversation and a good quote. ... I also remember casually mentioning to Joe in the Saratoga press box that I was having trouble finding a certain trainer. ... A couple days later Joe called me in Buffalo with the guy's phone number. ... With Joe's retirement, I had to find other highly respected people to follow around the barn areas. They know who they are but, hopefully, I'll not have to recall memories about them for a long, long, long time. ... They're good, but there will never be another Joe Hirsch.
Posted by Bob Summers Jan 11, 2009 10:29:20 PM
bochalls says:
Great to see all the comments about Joe...wonder if any young people (under 40 like me) got a chance to read his stuff. Get the feeling I'm younger than most readers as ya'll seem to have vivid memories of Joe. RIP....now back to racing. Does anyone else see Flashing as underlay in the Busanda? Stretching out with a fairly weak pace figure and a fair to middlin' speed fig. I know the filly she beat came back to win nicely with a big fig, but it looks like a sort of Toulouse Lautrec situation here. My figs do not give Flashing the edge... it goes to Southern Charmer.
Posted by bochalls Jan 10, 2009 2:14:04 PM
ponyman says:
Joe Hirsch----Class-Class-Class-Thanks for the memories--Ponyman
Posted by ponyman Jan 10, 2009 2:14:04 PM
ken_hawes says:
I am 61 years old and only got deeply interested in Racing perhaps about 10 years. I of course, know the name Joe Hirsch but really didn't know much more than that about the man. It has been a revalation reading about him here and hearing the words of you, Mr Crist on a telephone hookup last night on TVG or HRTV (I get both and am not sure which one you were on). I knew he was a giant in race writing but didnt realize what a truly great individual he was also. Many are great in their chosen profession but few are also great as human beings as well. Apparently, Mr Hirsch was both.
Posted by ken hawes Jan 10, 2009 2:14:04 PM
santanajimi says:
Having been a fan since the early 70's, The 2nd thing i would do after purchasing the form , would be to read Joes column. The 1st thing would be to see who was the DD for that day...
I think that Derby doings were the best Pre Derby info you could get.
RIP Joe
Posted by Santanajimi Jan 10, 2009 2:14:04 PM
chuck_berger says:
I met Joe Hirsch back in Oct. of 1960 at Belmont Park. I was working for Johnny Nerud . Joe came by barn 36 to do a story on one of the horses going in a stakes race.
I was a hotwalker/groom, but he treated me with the same respect that he treated owners and trainers.
Four months later I was in the clubhouse at Hialeah and he took the time to say hello and shoot the breeze with me.
Fast forward.........about 1988.
I saw him the Belmont clubhouse.I went up to him and intoduced myself to him.By now I had been an owner and raced horses and had been playing in the handicapping tournaments in Vegas. He thought that was wonderful. He made the other person feel important.
Just a wonderful man.
RIP Mr.H.
Posted by Chuck Berger Jan 10, 2009 2:14:04 PM
arcstats says:
The passing of Joe Hirsh yesterday reduces the number of links to this game's glorious past by one. And what a connection everyone lost.
I looked at the seven DRF articles from the past that I have framed and mounted in my office and realized that six of them were written by Joe. My favorite is the column he wrote on August 10, 1978 describing Affirmed in the Jim Dandy run the previous day. The first paragraph went: "The racing at this ancient course has been superlative, but superlatives seem inadequate to chronicle Affirmed's victory in Tuesday's $36,925 Jim Dandys Stakes, a prep for the $100,000 Travers on August 19".
We could spend hours discussing that brief description of racing 30 years ago compared to today, but in honor of Joe, I would rather borrow several of his own words and say "superlatives seem inadequate to chronicle" everything Joe Hirsch did for people and horseracing.
Posted by ARCstats Jan 10, 2009 2:14:03 PM
mark_r_rocovich says:
Steve..the Daily Racing Form is much the better that Mr. Hirsch had graced it for over 50 years...it is now up to you to finish out the next 50...the Form is in good hands....
Posted by mark r. rocovich Jan 10, 2009 2:14:03 PM
diceman says:
Joe Hirsch and I became casual acquitances and friends. We would occassional chat when racing at Saratoga, Keeneland, Churchill & Gulfstream Park. He always made time for small talk with Racing Fans at any level.
He was a world-class dresser and noted for his sharp Sport Coats, creased Slacks, coordinated Shirt and Ties and matching Shoes! I was also well dressed at the Track. However, Joe taught me a great deal about Style and Substance. But most importantly, his brillant racing insight and his love of life at the Race Track was paramount!
Joe, Someday, YOU and your Legion of Racing Fans will meet again at Paradise Park, at the Finish Line. Again You will thrill us with your memorable racing stories and unmatched Derby Doings!
Joe, Rest in Peace and Thanks Again for your life long commitment to the Sport of Kings!
You were Simply the Best at Your Profession!
The Diceman
Posted by Diceman Jan 10, 2009 2:14:03 PM
jeff_prescott says:
I have a huge collection of Morning Telegraphs and old Forms in my garage......I will probably never look at them again...but I can say the before they were stacked away....all the Joe Hirsch columns were read.
And who doesn't love the "Question & Answer" columns(and book)....a staple of the Monday Forms!!!!!
Posted by Jeff Prescott Jan 10, 2009 2:14:03 PM
brian_mclean says:
Steve,
You could do worse than to take some advice from a customer….From time to time ask yourself ‘what would Joe do?’ and act accordingly.
I use a Joe Hirschism all the time; ‘made of hickory’.
I can’t believe he lived with Joe Namath for 11 years or so. Broadway Joe and Gentleman Joe had to be the original Felix and Oscar...
Posted by Brian McLean Jan 10, 2009 2:13:36 PM
brian_beach says:
Joe Hirsch will be remembered as a superior journalist, a wordsmith, and a classy man of integrity. But what he should be most remembered for by those of us who love this game is that he was a one-man positive publicity machine for the racing industry. All you had to do was read one stakes recap, article or column by Mr. Hirsch to give you the feeling that racing was still as relevant in the world of sports as it was in its heyday. Whether intentional or unintentional, he never ceased to promote the "good" in racing and always seemed to find a positive spin and highlight the "human spirit" of those that work with these great animals.
I had been a former member of the media as well as a racing publicist at Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows so I always appreciated his work.
In the winter of 1999 I took over as agent for jockey Mike Smith who had been a long time leading rider and go-to-man in many big races on the East Coast but had been slowed by injuries and slumping business. I was new to the East Coast racing scene having spent all my time in racing on the West Coast. It was important for me to meet New York and Florida horsemen and try to rebuild their confidence in Mike and get him in position to once again be considered for mounts on the "big" horses in the important races.
We were fortunate enough to be leading the standings early in the 2000 Gulfstream Park meet and had just won the Broward Handicap on the exciting South African import Horse Chestnut when I got a phone call from Mr. Hirsch. He wanted to meet me and interview Mike. It would have been easy for him to just call the jockeys room or have the publicity department get some quotes from Mike but as I was told he liked to do his interviews in-person. What resulted was a "Mike Smith Comeback" story that I always felt fast-forwarded our efforts much more than we could have on our own. What he accomplished in a few paragraphs would've taken us months. If Joe Hirsch wrote it, it was gospel on the racetrack.
Thank you Mr. Hirsch for everything you ever did for the Sport of Kings and its athletes,human and equine, it will always be appreciated.
Posted by Brian Beach Jan 10, 2009 12:41:53 AM
john says:
I think a great tribute DRF could make to Joe Hirsch is to reprint Joe Hirsch columns in the form each weekends or the next few months or so.
Posted by john Jan 10, 2009 12:41:53 AM
wayne80 says:
I hope Mr. Hirsch understood how much his column meant to all the readers.
While undoubtadly there were some who simply used the DRF to handicap, even if pressed for time, I ALWAYS tore his column out and saved it for later.
These of course were the days when there was no internet, no way to get news without buying the actual paper.
I must admit I do not always wear a tie to the paddock, but in a few weeks I will do so in his honor when my filly makes her debut.
I will certainly be the only one wearing at tie in the paddock at the Big A on a cold cold afternoon, but I am sure he will smile down upon me and hopefully my horse too.
Posted by Wayne80 Jan 9, 2009 11:03:44 PM
steven_crist says:
Sea Hero:
I honored his request...by not going inside the paddock any more.
Posted by Steven Crist Jan 9, 2009 8:36:40 PM
bill says:
another class act the game will never see another of the ilk that was the legendary
MR.JOE HIRSCH may he rest in peace........................
Posted by $BILL Jan 9, 2009 8:30:21 PM
jerry says:
In 1973 my cousin Jesse introduced me to horse racing when I was 16. He lived in Ridgewood. We would go to the local newstand on Cooper Ave. at 11pm to get the DRF for the next days racing. One of his pearls of wisdom he told me was to make sure I always read Joe Hirschs column. The guy was great.
Posted by Jerry Jan 9, 2009 8:30:21 PM
ccpdpio says:
I was fortunate enough to meet Joe Hirsch at Hialeah on two occasions in the early 1980's. He was a true gentleman, an icon of the sport, and uniquely insightful writer. If you look up the world "class" in a dictionary, you will find a picture of Joe Hirsch.
Posted by ccpdpio Jan 9, 2009 8:30:21 PM
ray_flack says:
Steve,
Since you knew Joe intimately I have always wondered if he
wagered on the horses? I have known many DRF trackmen and other turf writers and most of them were great handicappers but lousy bettors. I was the pressbox bettor for many of them and made a small fortune on the side using their insight.
My best to those who knew Joe well.
Posted by ray flack Jan 9, 2009 8:30:21 PM
dale_tillotson says:
Steve, my thoughts are with you and and the staff of the form, as that was Joe's family. When Joe "adopted you" as his unofficial replacement and represenative to racing it showed another one of his great talents.
That talent was picking out a kid who would continue his legacy of supreme journalism in the sport we all love.
With you his legacy will continue.
Posted by dale tillotson Jan 9, 2009 8:30:21 PM
jules_watson_ says:
Talking to Joe about morning workouts made my day.
I will miss him. He was a friend.
Posted by jules watson Jan 9, 2009 8:30:21 PM
steve_davidowitz says:
As tributes to Joe Hirsch pour in from every corner of the racing world, I have to say that I am one of many racing writers who owe him a special debt that never can be repaid.
Joe Hirsch saved my career.
At a time when I was out of racing for a few yeears, for things of my own doing that betrayed my immaturity, I wrote Joe a note c/o the Keeneland racing office that simply expressed how much his diligient, behind the scenes reporting on the 1982 Triple Crown chase was appreciated, by me and I am sure, many thousands more.
At the time, no one else was providing such insight in print or in any media.
The Friday after the Blue Grass I was taken aback by a letter I received from Joe that remembered my work in the early 1970's with Turf and Sport Digest magazine and that he recalled that I had picked the 1-2-3 order of finishes in all three 1978 Triple Crown races. I was nearly floored when I read the final line in the letter, written in long hand, not sent by E-mail--which did not exist at the time--delivered by U.S. mail carrier.
"Meet me for breakfast at 8:00AM, Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, Thursday after the Preakness, May 20."
Of course I made my way to the old hotel. Joe asked only a few questions, wanting to know what I had done since my last free lance writing assignment for The New York Times in 1980, one of the few I had since 1978.
I told him I was raising my son as a single parent in New Hope PA, living on the bartering system with my photography, trying to get my life straightened out. Joe took it all in intensely and concluded a warmhearted hour with these words:
"Don't give up on racing. Don't give up on writing and stay in touch."
Later that summer, I received another note from Joe: "Call Joe Tanenbaum (PR director) at Gulfstream Park."
Tanenbaum in turn told me to call Christy McLaughlin, the newly hired PR director at Tampa Bay Downs, who in turn suggested I come to Florida because the St Pete Times was asking her for a name or two for a possible free lance writer.
I had barely enough money to pick up my son and travel to Florida, but when I called Joe. he strongly urged that I get down there as fast as I could. Not only did The St. Petersburg Times hire me to write a once weekly column on local and national racing, but Joe called me at the track on my first day about five minutes before I was ready to call him. What a generous, kind man who helped so many. What a Giant in the field, beloved even by those of us who sometimes disagreed with his ultra pro stance on everything in racing, while problems were lurking just below the surface.
As Steve Crist' blog stated, my story is not really unique. Joe Hirsch was a guiding light and mentor to many in and out of racing, a man who carried himself with grace and nobility while there for anyone who came within his wide open circle.
Thanks Joe; thanks beyond what mere words can express, beyond the quality of your own words that filled these pages for so many decades.
May you rest in peace with the greats you covered and wrote about. .Steve Davidowitz
Posted by Steve Davidowitz Jan 9, 2009 8:30:21 PM
churchy says:
I never met Mr. Hirsch (and "Mr. Hirsch is how I always thought of him) but I read, with enjoyment, his words for over 30 years. To me Mr. Hirsch was all that was good and right in horse racing. I am very sad tonight missing a friend.
Posted by Churchy Jan 9, 2009 8:30:21 PM
rich says:
To paraphrase Joe:"Once upon a time there was a turf writer named Joe Hirsch,but only once." I saw him many times at The Wishing Well in Saratoga,always with a large group and always the generous host.
Posted by rich Jan 9, 2009 8:30:21 PM
beerbelly says:
A writer who inserted poetry into prose without the urge for self promotion. An extinct species!
In the words of today's text messegers: JH u b missed.
Posted by beerbelly Jan 9, 2009 8:30:21 PM
mimi says:
What a remarkable individual! I am so envious of those who had the priviledge of keeping company with Mr. Hirsch.
Posted by Mimi Jan 9, 2009 8:30:20 PM
yuwipi says:
I bought my first Form in 1974, pre tabloid days. Mr. Hirsh's articles, especially those about racing personalities, were always my first stop. As a racing fan who greatly enjoyed his work my condolences to all those close to him on his passing.
Posted by yuwipi Jan 9, 2009 8:30:20 PM
todaysdarkhorse says:
Actually Steve I heard your interview on HRTV today and I thought it was great to that they named a race in his honor that he got to attend.
Posted by todaysdarkhorse Jan 9, 2009 8:30:20 PM
sherpaguide says:
Thanks for the amazing job through the years Joe. As I've read and listened to so much about him since yesterday I never knew, I now realize even more how much he meant to this great sport! Great job on HRTV today Steve. The 2009 horseracing year can only improve from here.
Posted by SherpaGuide Jan 9, 2009 8:30:20 PM
matt says:
Rest in peace Mr. Hirsch. You will be missed. Thank you for a wonderful life that you gave to the industry.
Posted by matt Jan 9, 2009 8:30:20 PM
tom says:
Reading an article written by Joe Hirsch was simply a pleasure. Thank you, Joe, for your diligence, eloquence and professionalism. God bless you!
Posted by Tom Jan 9, 2009 2:16:52 PM
Comments to this entry are closed.
About
Steven Crist has been the Publisher and a columnist for Daily Racing Form since 1998. Previously, he covered racing for The New York Times from 1981-1990; was founding editor-in-chief of The Racing Times in 1991-92; and a vice-president of the New York Racing Association from 1994-97. He recently released an instructional DVD titled "Exotic Tickets," and is the
author of several books including "Betting on Myself" and "Exotic Betting."
