A tribute to John Mashek

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It was typical of John Mashek, the fine Washington political reporter who died unexpectedly on Tuesday, that, much as he loved the Philadelphia Phillies, run by his friend Bill Giles, he was nothing if not candid in appraising their chances in the postseason. Before the first round of the playoffs began, he told me he thought the Phils could return to the World Series this year but “I’m not sure we’ve got the pitching to beat the Yankees.”

Mashek, who worked for U.S. News & World Report and The Boston Globe among others during a long career, was equally blunt and on target in appraising the public officials he covered.

A one-time semi-pro pitcher himself and a fierce competitor on the tennis court, he played no favorites in his work but applied the tough standards of sports to presidential candidates and other pols. As the saying goes, he cared not if they won or lost, but how they played the game — the right way. I mourn his passing.

@BR Ednote:EDITOR’S NOTE: John Mashek’s son Jim is a sports reporter and columnist for the Sun Herald.