Paul Hoynes to Receive BWAA Career Excellence Award
After 43 years of chronicling the highs and lows of Cleveland baseball, veteran journalist Paul Hoynes will be honored with the Baseball Writers' Association of America’s Career Excellence Award. The accolade acknowledges his prolific output of roughly 6,000 stories and his steadfast presence in the newsroom since joining The Plain Dealer’s baseball beat in 1983.
Hoynes grew up in Cleveland Heights, a neighborhood that nurtured his love for sportswriting. Inspired by local legends such as Gordon Cobbledick and Sheldon Ocker, he pursued a career that would see him become a fixture at the ballpark, the clubhouse and the community.
A Battle, a Return, and the Rhythm of the Season
In 2022, Hoynes faced a serious stomach cancer diagnosis, but he emerged stronger and returned to the Guardians beat later that year. He describes finding a rhythm in the baseball season that keeps his reporting fresh, even after decades of covering the same teams.
The award ceremony will take place on July 25 during Hall of Fame Weekend, placing Hoynes among the fourth Baseball Hall of Fame writers from Northeast Ohio, alongside Cobbledick, Hal Lebovitz and Sheldon Ocker. His story underscores the enduring power of local sports journalism.
Beyond his byline, Hoynes has mentored younger reporters, shaped the narrative of Cleveland’s baseball culture, and remained a trusted voice for fans through every roster change and managerial shift. His career reflects a deep commitment to the city he loves and the game he has chronicled for nearly half a century.