Dick Beddoes’ foray into the world of journalism began quietly enough at the University of Alberta, writing for the student newspaper “The Gateway”. Many would argue it was the last quiet period of Beddoes’ 65 years. For the next 45 years Beddoes was front and centre in the world of sports journalism.

His rise to notoriety didn’t come immediately but once Dick Beddoes got there he certainly made up for lost time. He cut his teeth in the journalism business as a reporter at the Vancouver sun in the early 1950s. By 1954 Beddoes had worked his way into that paper’s sports department.

Eastern Canada, and Toronto in particular, got its first real taste of Beddoes ten years later when he joined the sports department of the Globe and Mail. The move east was an easy one for him given his affinity for the Maple Leafs who would remain his focus until he left the business some 16 years later.

Having had his fling with newspapers, this multi-talented man turned his attention to radio and TV, which would occupy his time until his passing in 1991.

Always colourful be it in his wardrobe or a particular turn of phrase, Beddoes set himself apart from his contemporaries, ensuring a lasting influence on the business of reporting sports.