Bob Ryan Planning to Retire

This story broke on the Bill Simmons podcast on Grantland yesterday afternoon, so I'm glad to see the Globe now has it.

Bob Ryan, an award-winning sports columnist for the Boston Globe, plans to retire after the London Olympics this summer.

Award-winning, yes, but that sells Ryan short. Best known as a basketball writer, he can credibly claim to be the dean of Boston sportswriters. He has covered every team here, including of course the Red Sox.

The Grantland podcast is worth a listen. Not only do you hear two expert guys dish on the NBA, but Ryan is candid about why he's leaving. The game of sportswriting has changed, he said, and it's no longer his game.

Kudos to Ryan for having a great career, for seeing it was time to go, and for being honest about the reason why. I should add that he calls it a "semi" retirement; he still plans to write on occasion. Glad to hear it.