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4:10:00 PM EDT
Hearing the Replacements -- 'Skyway'
So Long, Old Friend
I found out last night that my former boss, friend and SBL original Bob Wooldridge died in a terrible accident on Saturday afternoon. He was skateboarding with his son and was struck by a car in the street in front of his house. I don't have the words to express how sick I feel about this right now, and I can't imagine what his family and closest friends must be going through. Two months ago, when Bob left AOL to go work elsewhere, I wrote him a parting letter, a big 'thank you', that I never got around to giving to him. A lot of the sentiments I expressed then resonate more deeply now, so I'm just going to post this thing to get it off my chest a bit. I'm sure he's got more important stuff to do than read my blog from above, but maybe he'll see it or feel it or know it, and believing in that makes things easier to deal with. Here goes...
Bob,I don’t really know how to thank you for the past couple of years. Despite your go-to line of, “I’m managing the s--t out of you,” you provided an environment that allowed me to have the best and most prolific time of my career. Under your direction I rediscovered a lot of things about myself, namely what I’m capable of and what it is that I want to do with my life. Most importantly, I believe in myself again, more now than ever, and no one can ask for much more out of a boss than that very thing.
But it wasn’t just working for you and with you on so many things, it was also the time we spent talking about sports, sharing music, swapping stories, making fun of each other, etc. etc. Even beyond that, you imparted so much wisdom and shared so much advice, I feel more prepared to move forward not just in business, but in life. You’ve been a good friend and mentor in more ways than you might imagine. Hell, it has been about the work too. I can’t believe what we’ve achieved. From the humblest of beginnings we built something terrific with SBL: AOL’s first-ever podcast, millions of listeners, that great video – “They don’t call me Bob Vomit.” – dozens and dozens of legendary guests, the Today Show, ESPN, netting the Anheuser-Busch whale… all of it. None of this would havehappened without you.You can pass the credit all you want, but you were just as vital in bringing it all together as anyone and I won’t ever forget that… and you shouldn’t either. So, now that it’s all said and done, all I can say is thanks. Thank you, Bob. For everything. It’s been my great pleasure, and wherever you end up going next will be all the better for having you with them. And we’ll sure miss you here. Most sincerely and respectfully, your friend,Jamie Mottram
More: AOL coworkers Joe and Jeff, who also worked for and/or with Bob over the years, have this and this to say about him. SBL listeners and participants Diecast Dude, Monponsett and Mobetta have this, this and this. I thank them all for the memories.
Update: We paid tribute to Bob at the end of tonight's SBL. The full show can be heard here and we start talking about him at the 58-minute mark. "Highlights" include my voice cracking repeatedly and us playing a song from Bob's favorite band, the Replacements, as an outro.
Update: Bob's Washington Post obituary is a well-written account of his life and includes information about this week's funeral services.
Update: Head Butler's tribute to Bob is touching and inspires me to believe in triumph over sadness.It's also come to my attention that D.C.-radio guys the Junkies mentioned Bob during their program this morning. I'm sorry I missed that.
Update: Hear the Diecast Dude remember Bob with a great anecdote about his NASCAR book. I heard this for the first time one week after the funeral and, yeah, it's gettin' me.
Tag: bob wooldridgeWritten by dcsportsguy Blog about this entry |
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Very upsetting Jamie... horrible news. From the sounds of it, the world lost an awesome guy. I'm sure he's readin your blog from above!
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I'm sorry for your loss. I just found out earlier today as well. I am so sad I'm unable to come back east for the service. I know how close you were with him and everyone there is in my thoughts.
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My condolences Jamie. It sounds like he was a stand-up guy.
Eric McErlain -
Worst thing ever.... :-(
7/17/06 11:16 PM
Now I wish I'd known him.
My condolences to you and everyone in the AOL Sports family on your loss.