On Sunday October 18, 2020, at the age of 100, longtime Minneapolis sports writer Sid Hartman passed away. A lifetime Minnesotan, Sid Hartman is one of the most iconic influencers in Minnesota history. Born on March 15, 1920 on the Northside of Minneapolis, by the age of eight, Hartman was selling newspapers on the street. In 1928 Hartman would ride his bicycle throughout the city selling multiple newspapers for a slight profit. As a high schooler in the late 1930s, Hartman dropped out of school during his junior year to pursue a job with a local newspaper, the Minneapolis Tribune. Though he dreamed of being a reporter someday, as a high schooler he had the menial job of dropping newspapers off to the carriers in the early hours of the morning. Hartman would make $50 a week in this role, which was great money in the late 1930s - not his dream role, but the late 1930s were not a time for dreamers. It was a survive and advance time.
By 1941, the Minneapolis Tribune was sold and his role was eliminated. He was completely out of work and scrambling. He found a job selling vacuum cleaners and not only hated it, but was horrible at it by his own admission. When a friend got a job at the Minneapolis Times, he called Hartman and bailed him out of his vacuum cleaner sales role. By 1944, he got his first real writing gig as a sports writer for the Minneapolis Times. Four years later when the Minneapolis Times folded, he was hired by the sports editor for the Morning Tribune (eventual Star Tribune). From the sports desk of the Morning Tribune, Hartman began his famous sports column which became a staple for Twin Cities sports fans and one of the most steady, dependable voices in all of sports.
Nearly twenty years after starting as a newspaper sales boy on the streets of Minneapolis. Sid Hartman was an official sports reporter. While most would put in their time in search for a promotion or a larger sports market, Hartman went against the grain. He stayed right where he was, in the same newsroom sports department - for the next 72 years.
Sid Hartman, fueled by a love for sports, the city of Minneapolis, reporting and writing, became synonymous with the Twin Cities sports world. His influence grew by way of his sports column along with his sports radio show through WCCO Radio that began in 1955. He became one of the most engaging members of the media and was a power broker in the local sports scene. Over his career he was offered numerous opportunities to depart from his role with the Tribune. On one occasion, at the age of 28 Hartman was offered a formal role to be the general manager of the Minneapolis Lakers, NBA team. The offer came with one stipulation - stop his role at the Tribune. He respectfully declined, wanting to preserve his role at the Tribune. He was offered a lesser role with the Minneapolis Lakers front office, allowing him continue his column, and radio show.
Over future decades as a sports influencer and advocate of the Twin Cities, he was instrumental in bringing Major League Baseball to the Twin Cities as well as the National Football League.
Hartman had a way of delivering sports reporting in a manner that felt like he was family to everyone. Tom Brokaw was quoted as saying “I grew up on Sid Hartman's columns about my Midwestern sports heroes - and I still think of him as a Hall of Fame newspaperman.”
He became close personal friends with all of the great Minnesota coaching stars from hockey legends John Mariucci and Herb Brooks to baseball coaches Dick Siebert and John Anderson, even to more recent coaches Tubby Smith and P.J. Fleck. Hartman was a genuine friend to all, even those who read his column felt like Hartman was their friend. His voice was steady in the life of Minnesotans.
What started in the streets of Minneapolis with a young Sid Hartman selling papers continued for over 90 years as Hartman continued to sell papers. First as a boy physically exchanging papers to customers, then eventually as a legendary sports writer who became the talent people paid to read. Sid Hartman sold papers for nine decades. There is not a street in Minneapolis absent of the influence of the great Sid Hartman.
Old School Rhythms
Sid Hartman may have been known as a world-class sports reporter. But likely the attribute that made him a legendary figure was his ability to build as he called them “close personal friends.” Hartman was notorious for using an old school tape recorder when much more modern technology was available to him. Technology that was efficient, sleek and cutting edge. He didn’t need it though, his recorder worked just fine. The tape recorder was not the only old school valuable he possessed, more than the technology, Hartman possessed the ability to build powerful relationships with the people he covered. He developed and nurtured contacts and genuine relationships. Sid Hartman sold out on the value of old school relationships. In a fast paced industry and culture, Hartman stayed committed to the quality that led to his success for decades - genuine relationships. What an old school concept. What a powerful way to lead.
“I don’t know what else I would do.”
Sure there were turbulent times in his 72 years of sports reporting in Minneapolis. I’m sure there was a day or week here or there where he thought about other ventures and how the long hours and constant demand of reporting were becoming a drag. In his mid-90s, he was asked why he was still at it everyday, Hartman replied “I don’t know what else I would do.”
Sid Hartman possessed a dream most humans are scratching for - a calling and a vocation that is so rewarding, captivating and enjoyable that we would do it until our very last breath. Sid Hartman was doing what he loved until the day he died. While our culture is chasing the weekend and an early retirement, Sid Hartman left this life doing the same thing he had been doing for seven decades. While many in our culture chase promotions and better paying jobs in larger markets, Hartman spent his entire career (and life) in Minneapolis.
Compounding Influence
For 72 years, Sid Hartman wrote at least three columns a week. According to the Star Tribune count, Hartman produced 21,235 stories throughout his career from 1944 until Sunday’s sports section this past weekend (his 119th story of the year 2020). We could pull one story out of the pile and I’m not sure if it would change anyone’s life. It would likely be well-written, an excellent display of journalism. But as a stand-alone article not many would suggest it would be a life enriching read. Yet many lives have been enriched by the work of Sid Hartman over decades. His life and legacy show the power of compounding influence. For most, the work we do often feels like it’s not making a difference. And in some cases it’s true. One day of work may not make a big difference. One day of work may not influence. But compounded over time - 21,235 days can have exponential influence. Influence compounds over time.
For a teacher: It’s not one individual lesson plan that has the potential to change someone’s life, it’s the compounding effect of your voice embedded in the minds of students for the rest of their life. A voice of belief and confidence.
For a coach: It’s not one individual practice plan or game that has the potential to change an athlete’s life. It’s that your influence calls athletes to live at a higher level for the rest of their life. An influence of discipline and courage.
For a business leader: It’s not one single sale that changes the way consumers relate to your brand. It’s the long term authentic relationship. Building trust and cementing your services as a trustworthy partner. A relationship of support and complete service.
For compounding influence: Write the next best lesson plan. Write the next best practice plan. Build the next best relationship. A legacy is the accrual of decades of influence - completely dependent on one action at a time.
Stay The Course,
JB
Book of the week: Sid! The Sports Legends, The Inside Scoops, The Close Personal Friends
Podcast episode of the week: Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast with Paula Faros: Calling vs Career
Article of the week: Sid Hartman’s final column in the Minneapolis Tribune
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