Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: New York Daily News Columnist since 1977; Author of books “Heat”, “Bump & Run”, “Travel Team”, “Full Court Press”, among others. Has also written for Esquire Magazine, ESPN The Magazine, Golf Digest, Parade, Men’s Journal, Travel = Leisure Golf.
DOB: May 11, 1952 In Oneida, NY
Childhood Heroes: “Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill.”
Hobbies/Interests: “I like to play tennis. I’m a pretty good golfer. Mostly just being with my kids.”
Favorite Movie: “Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid.”
Musical Tastes: “Classic rock ‘n roll.”
Early Career Memory: “Oh, meeting all the big guys, meeting Red Smith and having him tell me he thought I was doing a good job. Having Breslin act as a go-between for one of my first jobs. Just like a young ballplayer, meeting some of his heroes. First time I met Pete, first time I met Jimmy, first time I met Bill Goldman, first time I met Elmore Leonard.”
Pre-Writing Feeling: “I think that, I’ve done this sort of work before [smiles].”
First Journalism Job: “Writing stories for the Nashua Telegram in Nashua, New Hampshire for $5 a story when I was a junior in high school.”
First Car: “A Volkswagen Bug when I was in Boston College – I paid $1,100 for it. (Color?) Beige.”
Greatest Career Moment: “Having ‘Travel Team’ be number one on ‘The New York Times Best-Seller’ list.”
Most Painful Moment: “I’ve had a pretty great career. I can’t think of a very painful moment.”
Embarrassing Career Memory: “I suppose I’ve missed a deadline, but I can’t think of one off-hand.”
Favorite Events To Cover: “The Final Four, because I take my three sons with me every year. And if I’ve got my kids with me there really is no second place.”
Favorite Athletes To Interview: “Arthur Ashe was always a great favorite of mine. Reggie Jackson still is.”
Favorite Athletes To Watch: “Oh, I love watching Federer play tennis. I always liked watching the old Knicks play basketball. And I love watching Tiger Woods play golf. (MLB?) I like to watch the Mets play right now. I’m a Mets fan.”
Favorite Vacation Spot: “Any beach that I’m at with my family. The beaches of eastern Long Island are pretty great.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Loyalty.”
Career Accomplishments: Youngest columnist ever at a New York paper – for New York Daily News at age 25 in 1977; co-wrote “Reggie” and “Parcells.” National Sports Media Hall of Fame. Columnist for @mlb.com. Author of 19 NYT Best Sellers, currently “12 Months to Live” with James Patterson.
