Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Mark Phillips — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 03:48:56 GMT

I bought the racing form one day and Joe hade been given an award for best line "once upon a time there was a horse named Kelso, but only once." I bought a picture of Kelso at Saratoga and went out to find Joe at the track. I found him and explained how much I like his line about Kelso and asked him to sign my photo of Kelso. By this time his disease was quite severe but he insisted on taking myself and my new wife up to the pressbox. He signed my picture and was apologetic about his shaky hand writing. I told him it was a pleasure just to meet him and his signature was just fine. My wife and myself consider Joe to inspiration and often refer to our meeting as part of the magic of Saratoga. I framed the picture of Kelso with Joe's signature and had engrave under the picture "once upon a time there was a horse named Kelso, but only once." Joe Hirch.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Junie Wise — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:03:37 GMT

Great article Steve,but then again your stories are always great!!!!...I remember one Saturday at Hialeah when I first came to Florida back in 1968...I saw Joe in the Clubhouse,I asked him what he thought about one of the Horses Earlie Fires was on..He told me he will go to the lead,then you say"Come on Earlie,don't be late!!!"....He won for fun...and paid about 15 to one...A few weeks later I saw him again..He asked me if I liked Fires in the next race!!!!....I miss his writing.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

frank bamford — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 02:23:40 GMT

when joe started writing for the m t,they had some of the best turf writer's ever. people like nelson dunstan,charles hatton, and the great evan shipman. also jimmy cannon.and that was just the n.e.it's no wonder he turned out so good.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Monica V — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:54:35 GMT

Steve,

That was a lovely and heartfelt tribute to a man who was one of a kind and who was very much a part of this wonderful sport.

Thank you for the insight into this remarkable man. It was fascinating and beautiful.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

steve alper — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:53:39 GMT

After Missouri Journalism School, I worked my dream job, at the Chicago office of DRF in the late 70's and early 80's, seated alongside editor John McEvoy. When Derby Doings was filled, McEvoy would give it to me to edit. Like Bud Delp, when someone dropped a diamond in my lap, I sure as hell knew how to polish it. I'd work extra hard on Hirsch's work because he was "The Ambassador's" (Walter Annenberg) favorite. Any time I would find an error, the correction would get sent out on the company-wide teletype by Kenny Olson. Most writers would cringe when a mistake was made and an editor had to re-write the paragraph. Hirsch would always go out of his way to thank us (the editors) for making him "look good." Believe me, it wasn't easy to send out a correction on a Hirsch piece. That was like telling DaVinci he was mistaken. Joe's at peace now. Probably has a cup of coffee right now, sitting in the press box at Hialeah, waiting for the next set of Calumet 2-year-olds to take to the track for training.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Billy D. — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:39:02 GMT

No offense to you Mr. Haskin however after the last great Trainers of the last century died "Woody Stephens" in my opinion, Joe Hirsch the writer was an Icon to be sure and the last of a bygone era. I'm too young to remember Red Smith or charlie Hatton however Racing suffered a huge loss with Mr. Hirsch. I know Mr. Haskin you are a fine writer and perhaps will ease many of horse racing fans' pain with your columns now and in the future. At least you have a point of reference I suppose if you ever are at a loss for words when writing a column.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Bill — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:36:48 GMT

I have a picture in my mind of Joe Hirsch seated on a bench on Pimlico's backstretch during Preakness week. A picture of sartorial splendor. He really stood out from the crowd and in so many ways. A real throwback to a golden age. He, Charles Hatton, Woody Broun and their kind were really something. I was in awe of all of them and really miss their eloquence. God bless them all.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Barbara B — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:58:19 GMT

I met Joe at a party in Miami in the late 1960's. We quickly became great friends. He was always perfectly tailored and well-turned out. Over the years, we enjoyed many racing parties, charity balls, and dinner in the best restaurants. We double dated with Namath and other assorted sports figures. Joe was kind, attentive, interesting, and very witty. His table, the best one in the place, was always ready for him. They don't make 'em like that any more. He'll be greatly missed by me and all the other "beautiful women" in his life.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Adrian Beaumont — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:27:38 GMT

As a young Englishman visting your tracks in the early 80s's I was in awe of Joe. I couldn't believe how kind he was to all of us Europeans and think he may have been an anglophile at heart. He'd meet British horsemen for the first time and know their full careers - which was remarkable in a pre-internet era - and had an incredible memory for names. He had a genuine love of the game around the world and not just in the States.

Dinners with him were a wonderful - if humbling - experience and you felt as if you had a foot in a bygone era. I endorse Steve's comments about his generosity as well.

He signed a message for me in his book The Grand Senor and it remains one of my proudest possesions.

It was a privilege to have been his friend.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

TWIN SPIRIES DERBY HAT MAN — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:00:44 GMT

MR. STEVE HASKINS,

Sorry to hear of THE PASSING OF YOUR AND HORSE RACINGS' FRIEND ..MR.JOE HIRSCH .

During the summer of 1989Mrs.Janet V.Hirsch, Joe's Mother, passed away

so I sent him a Sympathy card.

A short time later I received a THANK YOU CARD back from Mr. Joe Hirsch.

I have had that card from Hirsch in my KY. DERBY collection memories album every since . It always meant a lot to me to receive it, just as much as the memories of the memories of the KY. DERBY WINNERS that Ive seen over the years.

R.I.P. MR. JOE HIRSCH

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Abbie Knowles — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:05:31 GMT

I remember reading and enjoying Mr Hirsch's articles in the Sporting Life many years ago and he is the kind of writer who would have enthralled me with his writing. He clearly loved everything about racing, the horses and most of those involved in our wonderful sport.

However i am equally sure he was not blind to the corruption there is in racing still (though things are improving!) or the negligence involving the horses which can lead to tragic deaths or them not having good homes once their careers are over!!!! Again signs that dramatic improvement is being made here and that is long overdue!!!!! Or to the fact that many who work in racing do not get a fair deal as regards a fair days pay for a fair days work. The work riders, those who look after the horses etc are just as important as the trainer and jockey but get little of the glory all too often!

I loved the quote about Marie Antoinette, Steve!

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Golden Gate — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:34:34 GMT

Steve,

I am really sorry about your friend passing on. It sure was great that you had a mentor like him.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Rob Whiteley — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:18:35 GMT

Steve ...... Edward R. Murrow, Jerry Izenberg, and Joe Hirsch were the three major three reasons I, at one time, wanted to become a journalist. Now that the opportunity has passed me by, I take great pleasure in knowing that you, Steve, are there to carry on. I celebrate all that Joe meant and will always mean, and I celebrate you and your talent, passion, dedication, and professionalism,and knowing that you are there to carry on. Thanks for being there and all you do and mean.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Phil McSween — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:53:19 GMT

Steve,

Just wanted to say how much i enjoyed your column on the passing of your and racing's dear friend, Mr. Joe Hirsch.

As part of the tribute to Joe, the DRF has republished selected excerpts from Mr. Hirsch's brilliant career.

I was especially interested in the story Joe wrote about the wise guy betting scheme at Narragansett Park. Wow !!! THAT was a fascinating piece of journalism.

In one of his Mr. Hirsch's obits, the DRF's Jay Privman wrote...

After the death of Go for Wand in the 1990 BC Distaff, Hirsch wrote: "Only the best of the breed will try to the death. The average horse, once he's had enough, will coast home, but the champions don't know how to coast. They only know how to win."

The same sentiments could apply to Mr. Hirsch himself. The best of his kind and time.....driving hard to the wire....his superb coat shiney throughout his magnificent trip.

Phil McSween

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Karen2 — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:41:56 GMT

You were blessed to have known him Steve and although I did not know Joe, from the sounds of it, you have some big shoes to fill. I would say that you are filling them nicely.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

JER — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:55:02 GMT

Hard to believe he's gone. I Think of all the hour's spent with him over the 40 years I worked for the FOrm.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

E Mitchell — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:06:39 GMT

Joe was an original. A mentor and an example to us all on and off the track. He also helped keep alive racing's rich history. Last night in Joe's honor, I revisited his collection of questions and answers published in The Morning Telegraph and Daily Racing Form. There are so many gems buried in this anthology, which so clearly illustrates how much the racing game has changed.

Joe takes one question from a reader about Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons preparing Nashua for the 1956 Widener Handicap off of morning works. Fitzsimmons vanned Nashua from Tropical Park to Hialeah five days before the race and works him a mile and a quarter in 2:01 4/5. Nashua goes on to win the race in 2:02. Joe writes: "Eddie Arcaro has always said Nashua had more natural ability than any horse he ever rode, including Citation and Kelso - but that he didn't always want to use it."

Joe, thanks for preserving the history and the tales. We'll miss you.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

slewlover — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:49:05 GMT

Mr.Hirsch was in a class by himself. I still have the DRF from the triple crown races of 1977. I think I'll read them over today.

RIP

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

David — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:33:05 GMT

Steve, you were right. Joe is 1/10 among writers. But I have you at 4/5 second choice...

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Steve Haskin — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:31:13 GMT

U Joe, good year to win Joe's favorite race :). Is he on schedule? Last worked Dec. 31.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Leslie — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:00:47 GMT

I was a horse crazy 12 year old, and every Friday night I would get a racing form, take it to a regular babysitting gig, and start with Joe Hirsch and devour whatever he wrote.

Those were happy times!

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Umatilla Joe — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:09:26 GMT

Steve:

I always read Joe's columns in the DRF back when it cost 50 cents. Between he and Kent Hollingsworth, I never missed a word. Finally, I saw him at The Wishing Well near Saratoga in the mid 90's surrounded by other guys (you may have been there), but Parkinson's was already taking its toll. You could see the respect he received and I wanted to meet him but it was difficult with his physical condition. Your comments and insight into this great jouralist and his life has given much insight to his life. What a compliment to be chosen as his successor.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

JSW2759 — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:27:18 GMT

I remember the first time I worked the Derby with the Form crew. Joe would be at his desk and anyone that came into the press box would come and pay their respects to Joe.

We have lost many of the old guard of the Daily Racing Form in the past few years, Cliff Guilliams, Dean Williams and now Joe Hirsch. Your will all be missed.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

Tiznowbaby — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:02:40 GMT

When I was fortunate enough to go to my one and only Derby, I saw Joe in the paddock. All I could think was, oh wow, that's him! What an exception writer and person.

re: Joe Hirsch One of a Kind

txhorsefan — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:30:32 GMT

From reading your lovely words of tribute to Joe Hirsch, I wish that I had been reading DRF and following racing more closely when he was actively writing. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt memories and I hope that you will take comfort in knowing that you are continuing his legacy with your own terrific writing.