Back in 1993, when I was part of editing the Stabroek News in Guyana, I used to get in to work very early in the morning just to get to the fax machine first. Sitting atop the machine was the glossy paper with typewritten copy from Australia.
It was Tony Cozier's words from that epic series that included the one-run win. I would take the fax paper and retype every word so it would go into our typesetting system for publication the next day.
At Stabroek News, we had an enviable deal to carry Tony's pieces exclusively. We got it (for free, I think) because of his friendship with then editor-in-chief David de Caires. It was very much the highlight of my days to get to read his stuff first, before anyone else, soak up his writing and try to learn from one of the all-time greats.
A year later, I met him at the Stabroek News office and at social events during a Test match in Guyana and I'll always remember him telling me -- a young pup -- to forget about trying to write perfectly and remember to always read everything.
"Read any and everything you can find on cricket writing. Read all the papers, all the magazines, all the articles. That's the way to learn about writing perfectly."
I was never his friend but he was always friendly to me, including when I started CaribbeanCricket.com and he would send unsolicited encouraging emails to applaud the work we were doing.
He was the standard bearer, the keeper of the flame, and he still took time to be friendly, pleasant and encouraging. When he picked CaribbeanCricket.com among the who's who in West Indies cricket, I was blown away and sent him a thank you note. He replied promptly to tell me he was just keeping it 100.
I last saw him in person during the Stanford 2020 tournament in Antigua and again he complimented our work and shared a joke with Pat Symcox about the "rum shop" and the word "skunt".
I sit here with all these personal memories, swallowing hard and appreciating what a great man he was.
We will all have our memories of Tony Cozier. Mine will always float back to that fax machine.
Peace out Tony.
_ryan
Message Board Archives
The fax machine in Robb Street
In reply to Admin
Brilliant. Beautiful. Poignant.
In reply to Admin
Nice piece
In reply to Admin
well written and dripping with sincerity.
kudos
In reply to Admin
Wonderful of you to share this Admin.
I was fortunate to have read one of his resource books "World of words" and his side notes he left with the Library at Saint Mary's College Saint Lucia where he was a student.
I can very well understand why he loved journalism.
May you rest in perfect peace Tony.
In reply to Admin
when you hear Reds...you will tear up 
Ask Michelle about what a wonderful man he was. She was lucky to spend hours with him on these pieces for us. He was incredibly happy to participate.
_ryan
In reply to powen001
Record it.
_r
Thank You Admin.I think it represents cc.com's views..therefore the sticky
In reply to Admin
dedicate a little piece on homepage with a pic of him for a few days?
In reply to Admin
Well done.
Nice piece....
I always remember him on the radio....it's like you were watching the game live
May he rest in peace
In reply to Admin
Nice piece Ryan, thanks for sharing
In reply to Admin
Thanks Ryan for sharing that. He was well respected for his professionalism where ever he worked.
Short wave radio commentary, all those WI cricket annuals..so many memories of an era of dazzling cricket brilliance captured so well!
In reply to Admin
Touching Tribute
RIP Tony
In reply to Admin
Great memories you shared there Idi
I have a suggestion...open the penthouse with Cozier's photo in the rumshop..until his funeral service
A fitting tribute.
Just came across a Red Stripe Caribbean Cricket Quarterly with Powell Power on it
In reply to Admin
Well said.
My memories of the WI/OZ 75/76 series are painted with Cozier's voice on my transistor radio.
In reply to Admin
Indeed.
In reply to Admin
My earliest memories are of playing yard cricket and listening to Tony doing shell shield commentary.
Tony is irreplaceable as far as west indies cricket is concerned.
In reply to Admin
Nice - I'll submit mine on Friday
Where's that like button?
In reply to Admin
nice memories
In reply to Admin
Great piece there sah...enjoy those memories!
Tony was a walking and talking encyclopedia on WI cricket
In reply to Admin
Well put...lovely tribute
In reply to Admin
Well said. People like Cozier makes life interesting. He left his mark on his trade.
Walk good Tony.
In reply to Admin
Touching indeed
In reply to Admin
moving!
Excellent Ryan..
Respect to TC...
So many boyhood memories...
In reply to Admin
I enjoyed reading that
In reply to Admin
Nice tribute Bro....
In reply to Admin
Nice! well done.
I'll put here what I put out earlier
"R.I.P to the the man whose voice was synonymous with West Indies Cricket...as long as I could remember, whether be via radio, television or live, I can remember Tony Cozier and his voice on the commentary. We have lost a great servant to the game who has left a legacy second to none. RIP Tony, and keep calling matches up in the big oval up there"
Well written Admin, Tony was a good man.
In reply to Admin
That's easily the best post penned by you that I have read on here. Respect.
My sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the patriarch of West Indies cricket broadcasting. He will be missed.
Clearly I am going to have to click on every single thread else I am going to miss interesting pieces like this.
Mi ah wonder why di hell a thread about a fax machine was a sticky.
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