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Grahame L. Jones, the Los Angeles Times' longtime soccer writer, was among the last of the 40-year newsroom presences. He began on the news side as a reporter and editor before essentially creating regular soccer coverage at the Times. (His leaving is noted at SportsJournalists.com.) Here's his exit email to the staff from this morning; you have to admire any sign-off note that works in "sea dog" and "rusty freighter." Email after the jump.
From: Jones, Grahame
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2011 2:32 AM
To: yyeditall
Subject: leaving port
These words, written in 1946 by soon-to-be-discovered Liverpudlian abstract-expressionist Emaharg Senoj, are particularly appropriate today, or at least they are to me.
“The old sea dog, having broken his anchor chain, has hopped on a rusty freighter and set off for the open sea. Celebrate his freedom, for he is one happy sailor.”
Grahame L. Jones, Los Angeles Times, Jan. 18, 1971-Sept. 2, 2011.
Previously: Daragahi, Petruno, Jones latest names to leave L.A. Times