Stan Hochman: What they're saying

"Everyone at the Phillies is saddened by the news of Stan's passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Gloria, his family and his Daily News colleagues.

In the early '60s, Stan and his fellow writers made the Daily News sports section a 'must read' for young readers such as myself. Over the next 45 years, it was a pleasure to get to know him on a personal level.

"His writing skills and talents allowed him to cover a variety of subjects including restaurant reviews, boxing and other sports, but I believe he always had a special place in his heart for baseball.

"Most recently, he shared the Phillies' desire to develop the Philadelphia Urban Youth Academy. This is just one example of his dedication to our city and its youth.

"He was a Philadelphia treasure and will be missed by sports fans, one and all.''

- David Montgomery, Phillies chairman

"I met Stan when I first arrived in Philly in 1963. He was a great writer then and remained so throughout his long and outstanding career at the Daily News. He covered us extensively during the Stanley Cup years and his columns were always fair and entertaining. We have lost a legend.''

- Ed Snider, Flyers chairman

"When Joe Frazier came back from the Olympics after winning the gold medal in 1964, there was no bag of money waiting like there is now. Stan Hochman found out that Joe was broke and he got the word out and Joe's five kids got everything they wanted for Christmas. That's the kind of man Stan Hochman was. Stan also helped my son, Joe Jr., raise money for the Miracle League in Bucks County. As far as I'm concerned it should be called Hochman Field. He was a great friend and I'll miss him."

- Joe Hand Sr., boxing promoter

"Stan was so popular because he was just like the Philly sports fans. Cantankerous, angry. But he loved our teams. A while back I wrote a column for the Daily News about the appropriateness of booing. Stan called me and said, 'Boy, we should do a book together on when fans should boo and when they shouldn't.' I'm disappointed we never got to write that book.

"Stan also liked to have fun. He was hysterical as the Grand Poobah on WIP. If I heard he was going to be on in 15 minutes, I'd push back whatever I had scheduled and tuned in. He always made me laugh.

"And I'll leave you with this. A while back I was talking to someone about Stan and I said, 'If God is Jewish, he'll look and sound just like Stan Hochman.' "

- Former Gov. Ed Rendell