1996 J. G. Taylor Spink Award Winner Charley Feeney

Charley Feeney was the 1996 recipient of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award. Feeney reported major league baseball for newspapers in New York and Pittsburgh for 41 years.

He began his illustrious career in 1946 as the New York Giants' beat writer for the Long Island Star Journal, covering the team until 1963. He then followed the Yankees and Mets as a swing-man for the New York Journal American until the paper closed its doors. From 1966 through 1986, he covered the Pirates as the traveling correspondent for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Highly respected for his integrity, knowledge of the game and journalistic skills, Feeney thrived under the pressure of A.M. deadlines. He had a unique ability to satisfy readers and please editors while simultaneously maintaining a positive relationship with ballplayers and front office personnel, earning their confidence and trust.

The Queens, New York, native calls everyone "Pally," thus eliminating the need to remember names. In turn, everyone calls him one of the truly "nice guys" in the business.