CLEVELAND — After more than four decades chronicling the city’s baseball teams, Paul Hoynes will be feted this weekend with the Baseball Writers' Association of America’s Career Excellence Award.
The honor comes as the veteran reporter reflects on a career that began in 1983 when he joined The Plain Dealer’s baseball beat, eventually amassing roughly 6,000 stories across the Guardians’ coverage.
A Legacy in the Stands
Raised in Cleveland Heights, Hoynes grew up idolizing the region’s storied sportswriters, a lineage that shaped his meticulous approach to the game and his deep connections with players, coaches and fans alike.
His tenure has not been without hardship; in 2022 he endured a battle with stomach cancer, yet he returned to the press box with the same vigor, noting that the rhythm of a 162‑game season has become a steady companion.
The demanding schedule, punctuated by postponed games and rain‑delayed contests, underscores the relentless nature of the baseball beat, a reality highlighted by colleague Terry Pluto, who has long praised the physical and emotional stamina required.
Beyond the column inches, Hoynes remains an active voice in the community, regularly engaging readers through emails and social media, and he shows no sign of slowing down as the Hall of Fame ceremony approaches on July 25.
The award also celebrates the unique environment of Northeast Ohio, where passionate fans and a rich baseball heritage have nurtured storytellers who, like Hoynes, blend rigorous reporting with a genuine love for the sport.