2001 BBWAA Career Excellence Award Winner Joe Falls

A veteran of more than 50 years as a sportswriter, the colorful Joe Falls began his newspaper career in 1945, when he went to work in the New York office of the Associated Press.

In 1953, he became an AP bureau chief in Detroit, and three years later he joined the staff of the Detroit Times.

In 1960, he moved to the Detroit Free Press, eventually becoming the newspaper’s sports editor.

He remained there until 1978, when he joined the staff of the Detroit News.

Falls's columns, always enthusiastic and often humorous, also appeared regularly in the Sporting News.

Known for his popular blue-collar approach to writing, Falls covered and interviewed numerous Hall of Famers, including Al Kaline, Mickey Mantle, and Ted Williams.

Falls passed away on Aug. 11, 2004.

More BBWAA Career Excellence Award Winners

2000 BBWAA Career Excellence Award Winner Ross Newhan

BBWAA Career Excellence Award

For meritorious contributions to baseball writing.

2002 BBWAA Career Excellence Award Winner Hal McCoy

2000 BBWAA Career Excellence Award Winner Ross Newhan

BBWAA Career Excellence Award

For meritorious contributions to baseball writing.

2002 BBWAA Career Excellence Award Winner Hal McCoy

Hall of Fame Awards

Hall of Fame Awards

Frick (broadcasters), BBWAA Career Excellence (writers) and O'Neil (lifetime achievement)

Ford C. Frick Award

For broadcasters' contributions to baseball.

Buck O'Neil Award

For lifetime achievement.

Hall of Fame Awards

Frick (broadcasters), BBWAA Career Excellence (writers) and O'Neil (lifetime achievement)

Ford C. Frick Award

For broadcasters' contributions to baseball.

Buck O'Neil Award

For lifetime achievement.