RIP Fireball Jr.

[br801]

Sadly, I just learned that Richie Zitrin (Fireball Jr.) passed away in April. He was a tremendous writer and journalist, and an even better guy in real life. RIP, sir. You will be missed.

Obituary for Richard Alan Zitrin https://www.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/pnys1169647

Here is a piece he wrote on the 50th anniversary of the Kent State shootings.

https://thehill.com/opinion/education/495832-no-escaping-kent-state/

 

[Cowtown]

Sadly, I just learned that Richie Zitrin (Fireball Jr.) passed away in April. He was a tremendous writer and journalist, and an even better guy in real life. RIP, sir. You will be missed.

Obituary for Richard Alan Zitrin https://www.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/pnys1169647

Here is a piece he wrote on the 50th anniversary of the Kent State shootings.

https://thehill.com/opinion/education/495832-no-escaping-kent-state/

This is sad news, indeed. I had a few conversations via pm with him over the years. He was thoughtful and insightful and I always learned something from him. He was the standard bearer for sober second thought around parts extant. RIP Fireball Jr.

 

[br801]

This is sad news, indeed. I had a few conversations via pm with him over the years. He was thoughtful and insightful and I always learned something from him. He was the standard bearer for sober second thought around parts extant. RIP Fireball Jr.

Yes, he and I had some good conversations that way though the years, especially during Covid. He saw and overcame a lot, but always was full of good cheer and optimism.

 

[cuseattle]

Sadly, I just learned that Richie Zitrin (Fireball Jr.) passed away in April. He was a tremendous writer and journalist, and an even better guy in real life. RIP, sir. You will be missed.

Obituary for Richard Alan Zitrin https://www.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/pnys1169647

Here is a piece he wrote on the 50th anniversary of the Kent State shootings.

https://thehill.com/opinion/education/495832-no-escaping-kent-state/

Sorry to hear. He and I shared a couple of direct messages over the years. Going to take a look for them. Thoughtful man and writer.

 

[br801]

Sorry to hear. He and I shared a couple of direct messages over the years. Going to take a look for them. Thoughtful man and writer.

He really was.

I probably should have noted his passing in a separate thread because he really deserves that (but wouldn’t have cared either way).

Maybe one of the moderators can do that with these posts. orange79 OrangeXtreme Cheriehoop CuseLegacy

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Thoroughly enjoyed his takes on the NBA threads.

 

[Cheriehoop]

So sorry to read of his passing.

 

[4evaOrange]

Idk but can we get some kind of memorial page for the posters who have passed just as a remembrance…

 

[tee1222]

Rest in peace, Fireball Jr.
We will miss you and my thoughts and prayers to your family.

 

[Col. Bleep]

Sadly, I just learned that Richie Zitrin (Fireball Jr.) passed away in April. He was a tremendous writer and journalist, and an even better guy in real life. RIP, sir. You will be missed.

Obituary for Richard Alan Zitrin https://www.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/pnys1169647

Here is a piece he wrote on the 50th anniversary of the Kent State shootings.

https://thehill.com/opinion/education/495832-no-escaping-kent-state/

Simply, he was just an all-round good guy.

I was lucky enough to work with him years ago.
Smart and incisive.
He was great sportswriter and reporter in general.
Loved his true crime reporting, music and his life in the Roc.
Miss you, man, miss you.

 

[Cheriehoop]

I hope some of you will share your tributes and memories on his obituary’s memory board. The family would probably love to read them. Thank you, you’ve shared some wonderful memories here.m

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/pnys1169647/memoryboard

 

[br801]

I hope some of you will share your tributes and memories on his obituary’s memory board. The family would probably love to read them. Thank you, you’ve shared some wonderful memories here.m

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/pnys1169647/memoryboard

If we posted a link to this thread in there with a few words explaining the context, it would be visible to anyone, would it not?

 

[sutomcat]

If we posted a link to this thread in there with a few words explaining the context, it would be visible to anyone, would it not?

Yes.

 

[sutomcat]

Sadly, I just learned that Richie Zitrin (Fireball Jr.) passed away in April. He was a tremendous writer and journalist, and an even better guy in real life. RIP, sir. You will be missed.

Obituary for Richard Alan Zitrin https://www.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/pnys1169647

Here is a piece he wrote on the 50th anniversary of the Kent State shootings.

https://thehill.com/opinion/education/495832-no-escaping-kent-state/

RIP Richie. He will be greatly missed.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Sad to hear. Had some great back and forth interactions over the years in the NBA thread especially regarding LeBron James. Definitely had his opinions but did a great job of expressing them. Now knowing he was a sports writer makes a lot of sense. I never knew that.

RIP. He will be missed.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Sadly, I just learned that Richie Zitrin (Fireball Jr.) passed away in April. He was a tremendous writer and journalist, and an even better guy in real life. RIP, sir. You will be missed.

Obituary for Richard Alan Zitrin https://www.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/pnys1169647

Here is a piece he wrote on the 50th anniversary of the Kent State shootings.

https://thehill.com/opinion/education/495832-no-escaping-kent-state/

Man, what a shame. He was very passionate but in a gentlemanly way. A real mensch. I always felt I could learn something by reading his posts. RIP Fireball Jr.

 

[KaiserUEO]

was he also richieintheroc or something?

 

[br801]

was he also richieintheroc or something?

Sure was, Kaiser. Big fan of #15, his friend from their days at Kent State.

 

[phillydad]

Sadly, I just learned that Richie Zitrin (Fireball Jr.) passed away in April. He was a tremendous writer and journalist, and an even better guy in real life. RIP, sir. You will be missed.

Obituary for Richard Alan Zitrin https://www.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/pnys1169647

Here is a piece he wrote on the 50th anniversary of the Kent State shootings.

https://thehill.com/opinion/education/495832-no-escaping-kent-state/

That was a powerful piece on Kent State. I have read books on the subject but nothing from someone who witnessed the tragedy.
RIP Fireball.

 

[KaiserUEO]

Sure was, Kaiser. Big fan of #15, his friend from their days at Kent State.

Oh man, that really saddens me.

I had some awesome conversations with him

 

[RF2044]

Oh man, that really saddens me.

I had some awesome conversations with him

Ditto.

Toward the end [when people changed their handles several times / over time], I got confused between "fireball phil" and "fireball jr."

But back in the day, I used to really enjoy conversations with him. Had LOTS of debates about LeBron / Ohio.

Believe he was a multi-time cancer survivor, as well -- so a bad ass.

RIP Richie.

 

[Cusefan69]

Always sad to hear about losing someone from our Syracusefan community. Didn't know him but based on the responses here I wish I did. RIP!

 

[KaiserUEO]

Ditto.

Toward the end [when people changed their handles several times / over time], I got confused between "fireball phil" and "fireball jr."

But back in the day, I used to really enjoy conversations with him. Had LOTS of debates about LeBron / Ohio.

Believe he was a multi-time cancer survivor, as well -- so a bad ass.

RIP Richie.

Yep, it got confusing.

We had just as many private conversations as public on the board.

He ‘got’ me from day 1. We shared a lot of laughs.

And yes, we both are strong Yankees #15 to the HOF guys.

RIP my friend.