Paul Hoynes, a name synonymous with Cleveland baseball, has left an indelible mark on the sport. His career spans over four decades, filled with countless stories and experiences. From his early days covering high school sports to becoming a renowned baseball writer, Hoynes has witnessed it all.

The Man Behind the Stories

Remember the time when cleveland.com baseball writer Paul Hoynes showed up wearing two belts? It was either a humorous oversight or a statement about his love for accessories, much like pitchers and their gear. And then there was the incident with Mel Hall, a former Cleveland outfielder. Hall took issue with a story written by Hoynes, not realizing his opponent was a former Marquette rugby player. This led to a brawl that ended up in Carmen Castillo's locker, but they later became friends. These are just a few of the colorful stories that make up Hoynes' career.He's also been locked in stadiums, climbed over fences to get out, and delivered a shrieking hawk call in the press box. In the July heat of Texas, he ran into the hotel lobby, wondering why he was sweating so much. But these are just the surface-level tales.

Baseball Writing Prowess

Hoynes is a tremendous writer. He's been doing baseball seemingly forever, starting in 1983 with the News-Herald and joining The Plain Dealer in 1985. Over 41 years on the Cleveland baseball beat, he's covered close to 7,000 games, including playoffs and preseason. He agonizes over a keyboard, often looking as if someone had stuck a knife in his ear. But his passion for the game shines through in his writing.He lives by the personal journalistic rule of getting the score in the first three graphs of the story. If nothing else, he gets the score right. He comes up with themes like "The Bullpen from Hell" and weaves wonderful baseball tales. Despite making dumb mistakes like calling Ellis Burks "Ellis & Burks," his dedication to the sport is unwavering.

Overcoming Challenges

In 2021, Hoynes faced a major health scare. He had shortness of breath and blood in his urine. The doctors found stones in his bladder and a "mass" in his stomach, which could have been cancer. But through it all, he worked. He missed about a month of games during his cancer treatment, including prostate surgery and gallbladder removal. But he came back stronger, proving his resilience.

Family and Legacy

Hoynes is married to Jackie for 50 years. She is now the president of Notre Dame schools in Chardon. He graduated from Cathedral Latin High on Cleveland's East Side. His family has been by his side through it all, putting up with his long hours at work.He also mentioned Sheldon Ocker, a former Akron Beacon Journal baseball writer who won the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Sheldon's words have inspired Hoynes, who believes that if you can cover baseball, you can cover anything. And he's right. On a major sports beat, you need to understand economics, criminal law, and even life and death.

Nomination for Lifetime Achievement

Hoynes is a finalist for the Baseball Writers' Association of America Lifetime Achievement Award. He's stunned to be nominated and is fired up about the possibility. He's hoping for the best but prepared for the worst. Either way, it's an honor to get this far.Paul Hoynes' story is one of dedication, passion, and resilience. He's a true legend in Cleveland baseball and an inspiration to all.