Bob Ryan: A Reunion with the Scribe

By BEVERLY TILDEN

I don’t think we’re unique on Cape Cod. We grew up in the Boston area, enjoyed successful careers, raised families and then we moved to the Cape to continue the same and enjoy the beauty, distinctiveness and pace of Cape Cod.

So when we learned that Bob Ryan, former Globe sports columnist and writer of the recently released book, “Scribe” would be speaking in Falmouth, we headed off to St. Barnabas Church where “Falmouth’s Museum on the Green” was hosting Bob Ryan for a lecture on his new book and all things sports.

CapeCod.com Photo of Stephen Riley and Bob Ryan Courtesy of Beverly Tilden

You see my husband, Stephen Riley, was a 25-year executive with the Boston Celtics front office, and for a time, I was a manager of sports radio WEEI, the radio broadcast home of the Celts. We were ready to relive some memories with a former colleague and one of Boston sports’ best reporters, columnists and story tellers.

Bob Ryan took to the podium with an easy, casual air and greeted the 100 or more attendees with an introduction to his book. This isn’t Bob Ryan’s first book. He has written ten others mostly on the NBA and Celtics, but this one is his autobiography and the first he’s written after retiring from the Globe in 2012. It is a memory of his life in sports and includes growing up in New Jersey, his life at Boston College and his decision to become a reporter at the Globe.

Ryan said he knew as a kid there were signs he’d be a writer. He appreciated the art when he’d go to games with his Dad but couldn’t wait to read the story the next day. The re-telling of the game and the players was the highlight of the experience for him. Fate played a role too when after high school he was accepted at both Georgetown and Boston College, and his BC decision pointed his career toward covering years of Celtics World Champion teams vs. a career reporting Washington Bullets and Wizards games. Timing factored in for Ryan when once he was at the Globe, the reporter covering the Celtics at that time was transferred to news, laying the path to the job he’d hold for more than 40 years.

Bob Ryan discussed the actual writing process for his book. You know you actually have to “research yourself” in order to include the most important stories he confides. He enjoyed writing this book as it was the first where he was able to keep a “writer’s schedule.” His earlier books had all been written in his spare time, while still reporting or writing his column, so for this book, his ability to maintain a schedule of daily writing was beneficial.

Some of the questions from the engrossed and eager audience were both thought-provoking and fun:

What do you think of the sports writers today? He said he thought that technically, as writers, they are as good and well trained as ever. But that the difference was the technology around them has led to them not being able to develop the relationships with the players that were so much a part of the past. As a reporter, he was a conduit to the players and the fans, today the players have their own media with their own twitter feeds, blogs, etc. Ryan felt that was a huge difference.

What are you fondest memories from the 70s, 80s, today? He said if he could relive any time of his career it would be the 80s in the NBA. The super stars of that time, the competitiveness between the teams. There has never been that same competitive environment, as the expansion of the league has not allowed each team to have multiple super stars.

Any Red Auerbach stories? He recalled Red’s hiring of Bill Russell as coach as groundbreaking. But as Red told him, “The only guy who can coach Russell is Russell.”

Who were Influences? Tom Heinsohn was acknowledged by Ryan as one of the first people to help him really understand the NBA game.

Most amazing story in sports? The Patriots’ rise from the worst team, laughable and embarrassing under previous ownerships to the dynasty it is today under Bob Kraft.

Best game he remembers? He’s got a few, including 1986 Game 6 Championship, Celts vs. Houston when Bird played the most amazing game on both sides of the ball. He said Bird actually told him, “I’ve never been more prepared.” Another was the 1976 Triple Overtime against the Suns. Then there was the memorable 7th game of the ’84 Championship when the Celts prevailed in a 94-degree hothouse Boston Garden.

Sports writers he respects? Mike Vaccarro at the NY Post, just the best. Jackie McMullen, his colleague at the Globe for many years and a friend…well, she’s like his sister, he said. He also acknowledged Bill Simmons who made a name for himself with a website and blog and is now a mainstay at ESPN.

How do you balance so many hours away on the road with a home life? “Sports writers with wives who don’t like or understand sports are the ultimate in mixed marriages!” Ryan said. He was fortunate to have a wife who was a fan and understood his job and the time demands it required.

“Scribe” is like traveling with Ryan on all those road trips. On the path to reporter, to the NBA, The Globe, ESPN, the Olympics, college sports, The Sox, the Pats and more. This is not a review. I wouldn’t think of critiquing a writer like Ryan, but I did enjoy the memories of the games, the athletes and personalities and the privilege to have Bob Ryan’s exceptional access along with his fun and irreverent point of view. We miss that privilege now that he’s retired and “Scribe” is the opportunity to journey with him once again.

~ Beverly Tilden is General Manager of CCB Media and a contributor to CapeCod.com.

“Scribe” is available at Eight Cousins bookstore in Falmouth and at many local bookstores. It is already a New York Times Bestseller.