Stan Hochman might be the only print journalist who became just as well known for his voice.
Not the voice he used in his newspaper column to chronicle more than half a decade of Philly sports. I'm talking about his speaking voice.
The sound that emanated from Stan Hochman, most often described as "gravelly," was unmistakable. And unmistakably Philly.
Both in print and later on TV and radio, Hochman was often the voice of the fan.
Now that voice has gone silent.
Stan Hochman died Thursday. He was 86.
He covered sports for the Philadelphia Daily News for more than 50 years, starting as the paper's Phillies beat writer. After six seasons he was promoted to columnist, a position he would keep for the rest of the century.
Hochman's view was evident in the epic collapse of the '64 Phillies, the single event that to this day scars every Philly sports fan. He also loved the "sweet science," and was on hand to detail Philly's own Joe Frazier in his epic "Thrilla in Manila" vs. Muhammad Ali.
Journalists today swim in a sea of technology, delivering our message on several platforms. Hochman was multi-media before we even knew what the word meant.
He was a familiar voice in the early days of WIP SportsRadio. You know you've made it in this town when Joe Conklin parodies your voice. His take on Stan's distinctive cadence was spot-on.
Hochman also did TV work, often sitting in on various shows on Comcast SportsNet.
If it was an important Philly sports story, Hochman's opinion would be sought out, and we would devour every word.
The longtime journalist even made an appearance in the "Rocky" movies, playing - what else? - a sportswriter in "Rocky 5."
"I'm just a guy who truly enjoys what he's doing in a city that cares deeply about its teams, but wants to read stuff that's 'tough but fair.'"
They are perhaps the two words that best describe him.
Tough. Fair.
But there was something else. Hochman knew - and identified with - the plight of the Philly fan. He was here - and chronicled - all those losing seasons. He understood the frustration of the Philly fan, and their desire for a winner.
We had one in Hochman.
That voice will never be replicated.
And it will be deeply missed.
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