The Vikings celebrated Sid Hartman last August by **dedicating the Sid Hartman Media Entrance*** *at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Sunday's episode of The TODAY Show illustrated to viewers from coast to coast how the 96-year-old isn't ready to exit the career he's developed for more than 70 years.
The TODAY Show's Harry Smith **featured the *Star Tribune *“living legend**" whose first column was published Sept. 11, 1945. Smith and the television crew caught up with Hartman courtside at a Minnesota Timberwolves game and noted Hartman's impact as an executive with the Minneapolis Lakers in the early days of the NBA.
Smith asked if Hartman had thought about retiring, and Hartman firmly replied, "No, no interest. I'd go crazy if I retired. As long as I'm healthy enough to do what I'm doing right now, I'll keep on doing it."
Smith was impressed by the depth and breadth of Hartman's workload, as well as his continued aggressiveness in pursuing stories.
"He's got the drive of a reporter half his age, no make that a quarter of his age," Smith said in narration.
Hartman's son, Chad, told Smith that his father is, "every bit as dogged today as when he first walked into the Star Tribune. He wakes up every day and thinks competition is what it's all about. That has changed zero, and that's what keeps him sharp."
Timberwolves and *Star Tribune *owner Glen Taylor, who was born just four years before Hartman's first column, also described Hartman's determination in pursuing stories.
Smith asked Taylor, "So you're his boss?"
"I am, yeah, let's laugh at that," Taylor said with a chuckle. "I own the paper that he works for, but I tell everybody that he's my boss."
Hartman admitted, "I'm tough on myself. If I miss out on a big story, I'm not very happy."
That's the one occasional aspect of the job that Hartman doesn't enjoy.
"I don't know if I'm a big deal. I'll be honest, I can't walk down the street without somebody identifying me," Hartman said. "They either hear me on the radio or read my column.
"This isn't a job," Hartman added. "It's fun for me."
