1/The Yankees beat at the NY Post has been covered by just 3 people the last 32 seasons: Me for 7 yrs, Jim Salisbury for 1 and George King for the last 24. I don't know how George has done it. The beat is the most important at our paper and each year is a dog year. So George has

2/in my mind covered the Yankees for 168 years -- every damn 1 of them with distinction. The word is "beat" and no one worked a clubhouse like a beat cop like George. He found connection everywhere, knew what was going on with his club as if he were in the front office.

3/When you are a columnist the dream is to show up and your beat guy knows what is going on. So I lived the dream every game I covered with George. And George had a great sense of accountability. Consistency and durability matter.

4/George was there 1st, was unafraid to leave last and did it day after day, year after year. I suspect the beat has changed forever, in part because access has changed forever (fans you should care, it is worse now for you). But if you're making a Hall of Fame on how to cover a

5/beat traditionally, then I am happy to lead the standing ovation to George at the first class induction. George has announced his retirement effective after this season. The NYY have been an exceptional team during George's run. He has been better. Hail to a great career