Sid Hartman (1920-2020): Covering a Century of Minnesota Sports

It only seemed as if Sid Hartman had been around forever, if you've been a follower of Minnesota sports. For 75 years, he had been writing columns for the Minneapolis newspapers that eventually became the Star Tribune.  For 65 years, he was a fixture on WCCO Radio with daily appearances and a Sunday morning show.  On TV, he was a panelist on a weekly Channel 23 show hosted by Mike Max on Sunday nights. 

Hartman was 100 years old when he died on October 18.  On that Sunday morning, his final column had appeared in the newspaper.  By afternoon, when his death was announced by son Chad, the tributes started pouring in. 

Everyone who knew Sid, it seemed, had a story to tell about him.  Like how he operated and cultivated his "close personal friends" by insinuating himself into the lives of the athletes, coaches and other movers and shakers who normally wouldn't have the time of day for anyone else. Because unlike most journalists, in order to get the story, he knew everyone and everyone knew him. And he wouldn't write a critical word in return. 

Hartman was partially responsible for helping bring major league sports to Minnesota, starting with his stint as general manager of the NBA Minneapolis Lakers in the 1950s. But even after the Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves and the NHL were established here, he kept his focus on the University of Minnesota's athletic department, a focus he kept ever since he was selling newspapers outside Memorial Stadium. 

Sid Hartman came from an era when newspapers and radio were the main source of information and entertainment for most Americans. Now, with both mediums hanging on for dear life, one more piece of 20th century culture has gone for good.  And one more Minnesota icon passes into legend.