So this is it, the long-awaited final edition of Bosco’s Corner. That’s right, kiddies, Señor Bosco is finally blowing this turkey coup known as the TimesLedger Newspapers. After nearly 15 years of getting paid to watch and write about sp
All jokes aside, the time has come for me to bow out as gracefully as a kinda short and occasionally pudgy Italian-Cuban can. But it is not done without some certainly bittersweet feelings on my part.
I have been at this job for almost half my life, which is quite amazing since I am still a relatively young man — maybe not for a middle linebacker or a featherweight contender, but in the grand scheme of things. I’m also a little bit over the 126-pound limit.
But back to the point. I’m leaving, bidding you all a fond farewell and good tidings and all that jazz. It has been, for the most part, a wonderful experience. I have met thousands of people, some of whom are now dear friends, and owe a lot to this company and the man who hired me, Steven Blank.
I have told the story a few times over the years but never really wrote it down before, so bear with me for a moment.
When I was a 19-year-old college student, I bought a copy of the Bayside Times with the hopes of finding a part-time job. But after not finding anything in the classified section, I came up with the brilliant idea of calling the paper itself. I fancied myself a writer at the time and figured, what the heck?
So I called and asked to speak with Kevin Allison, the person listed in the masthead as the publisher. Kevin then told me the person I needed to speak with was a guy named Steven Blank, who had just bought the company’s two papers, the Bayside Times and the Little Neck Ledger, the week before.
I then called Steve, who brought me in for an interview later that week. After a few very awkward minutes, I basically blurted out I would sell my own blood for a job — or something inane like that. Steve took pity on me and hired me, a decision for which I am sure he has kicked himself a few times over the years.
I did everything in the beginning. I called funeral homes for obituaries, helped lay down ads, ran errands, delivered the papers, you name it. I even reviewed a few restaurants, resulting in our only restaurant advertiser to pull his ad after my less-than-favorable review.
The sports section back then wasn’t much to look at, maybe a story about a Mets prospect or a submitted picture of a CYO team, but that was pretty much it. I pitched the idea to Steve of writing a story about the Bayside High School football team, which was about to begin its season. Steve agreed and Anthony Bosco, sports editor, was born. (Though I don’t think I actually got the title for a month or so.)
Anyone who remembers what the paper looked (and read) like back then, well, let me apologize one last time. It surely took me a while to feel my feet and actually become a “journalist,” but I think I eventually did, though some might feel the need to debate me on that one.
We won a few awards, wrote some good stories and maybe made some kind of impact on the local sports scene. I like to think, like former St. John’s coach Mike Jarvis, that I leave my position, the section and paper better than I found them. I’ll let you decide if I did a better job than Mike.
Just kidding, Mike, but you should have returned my last call.
There have been a lot of memorable games, like that St. John’s-Duke game at the Garden a few years back when Ron Artest hit a three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime on national television. Or when Marcus Hatten beat the Blue Devils with a free throw with no time left in one of the most remarkable comebacks I have ever witnessed.
And then there were the athletes, coaches, administrators and a ton of local residents. Some of those who come to mind while I write this are Fred Liberatore, Kevin Kelley, Paul Gilvary, Ron Naclerio, Rafer Alston, Anne Marie Rich, Zanu Simpson, Marty Towey, Christina Muccini, Damon Albert, Vince O’Connor, Bob Reid, Harold Marks, Bob Russell, Harold Weisman, Abe Miller, Tokey Hill, Walter Judd, Frank Skala, Jack Curran, Andy Kostel, Joe Capuana, Dominic Scianna and the whole St. John’s crew, but there are way too many people to list them all.
This job also afforded me the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the world’s most powerful people like Bill Clinton, Muhammad Ali, George Pataki, Rudy Giuliani, Charles Schumer and Howard Stern.
But when I look back at my time here, I often think more of the people I have worked with over the years, and believe me, there were plenty to pass through these doors. They all made an impact on me, some way more than others and they know who they are. I’d like to thank all of my current and former co-workers for putting up with my Latin temper, which many of them got to see, in particular Roz Liston, who has put up with more than anyone. Sorry about that.
Anyway, I am beginning to sound long-winded and altogether self-indulgent. I’m not really this narcissistic, but did anyone actually think I was going to spend my last column discussing junior varsity handball?
Well, I guess that time has come. If all goes well, next week’s TimesLedger sports section will feature a fantastic column by Dylan Butler, who will step in to take over as sports editor. Many of you know Dylan or have read his stuff, so please feel free to complain to him from now on.
Last but not least let me thank you, the reader. Your feedback over the years has made this job worth doing. Believe me, it certainly wasn’t the paycheck.
Adios amigos.
