2011 BBWAA Career Excellence Award Winner Bill Conlin

Bill Conlin's talent as a writer took him from his native Philadelphia to points around the globe – covering all sports in between.

His love of baseball, however, always brought him back to the National Pastime.

Conlin chronicled baseball for more than 45 years as a beat writer and columnist. Conlin also covered marquee events like Wimbledon and the Olympics during his career, but his heart was never far from the diamond.

"If you go to the ballpark every day expecting to be amazed, you probably won't be disappointed," Conlin said. "Games are like snowflakes: No two are alike."

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Conlin graduated from Temple University in 1961, Conlin began his journalism career at Philadelphia's Evening Bulletin before moving to the Daily News in 1965.

A year later, he took over as the Phillies' beat writer at the Daily News – holding that job for 21 seasons. During that time, Conlin's work became nationally known to readers of the Sporting News, where Conlin served as the National League columnist.

In 1987, Conlin became a columnist for the Daily News.

Conlin passed away on Jan. 9, 2014.