Several times during the St. Louis Cardinals’ season a three-game home series ends with a day game on Wednesday.
I’ve often thought “I’d like to be there.”
Alas, the St. Louis American goes to press on Wednesday evening. The next morning, editions are headed to dozens of locations throughout the St. Louis area.
The “free paper” is far from free. The work that goes into the 52 publications a year begins on Thursday and ends on Wednesday. It includes weekend coverage, online updates, and continues dedication.
The American remains not only one of the best Black weekly newspapers in the nation, but it is also recognized among the best weekly newspapers in Missouri and America.
None of this happens without Publisher and Executive Editor Donald Suggs. In fact, I seriously doubt there would be an American without Dr. Suggs.
On July 5, 1983, I took a shuttle from Manhattan, Kansas to Kansas City International Airport destined for Chicago and then Danville, Illinois. When I returned to Manhattan that night I had my first daily newspaper job at the Danville Commercial News.
Newspaper jobs in Lansing, Michigan, Little Rock, Arkansas followed. Then, USA Today Baseball Weekly and Emerge magazine in Washington.
Four years ago, I returned to help lead the American, the publication I first worked for from 1996 to 2009. As news editor, I reveled in the responsibility of keeping the newspaper relevant, entertaining, serious, and always aware of its importance in the Black community.
If this sounds like an obituary, it isn’t. When I say I’m transitioning, my service to the American is not deceased.
I’m changing roles, and a new person will fill my old one as I take a more online presence, focusing primarily on sports news. We’re going to convince readers to make stlamerican.com a must-read every morning. (Say that three times fast, LOL)
It’s a news challenge, and one I look forward to beginning soon.
I will be proud to still see my byline in this newspaper and to see this newspaper’s name with mine on the Nine Network’s most popular show, Donnybrook.
So, if you need me at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday August 13, 2025, I’ll be at Busch Stadium watching the Cardinals and Colorado Rockies.
The Reid Roundup
St. Louisan Jayson Tatum released several video clips of rehab workouts this week as he recovers from a ruptured Achillies. “This is some (stuff)” he says in one…Tatum’s Boston Celtics will look different next year with the team dealing Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in money-saving moves… USMNT rising star Malik Tillman scored on a penalty kick to help the USA top Costa Rica last Sunday and advance to a July 2 Gold Cup semifinal match against Guatemala at Enterprise Stadium in St. Louis. Check www.stlamerican.com for the results of that contest… Victor Scott II broke up Pittsburgh hurler Andrew Heaney’s no hitter in the seventh inning of a 7-0 loss St. Louis Cardinals loss on Monday and continues to impress. Scott’s home run Sunday helped cap a weekend sweep of the Cleveland Guardians. He was hitting a respectable .245 with four home runs, 28 RBIs and 22 stolen bases on July 1…Coach Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers first signed Aaron Rodgers to play quarterback and on Monday traded safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for former All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith…LeBron James opted to stay with the L.A. Lakers for about $52 million next season. It is the first time in his 23 years that James didn’t opt out and receive a raise or leave the team he was with…Denver traded former Missouri player Michael Porter Jr., and a future No. 1 pick to Brooklyn for budding star forward Cameron Johnson. The Nuggets won that trade…Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood, 22, was issued four intentional walks by the L.A. Angels last weekend and became the first player since Barry Bonds in 2004 to receive the respectful honor…New Orleans moved up 10 spots in the NBA Draft via trades to questionably select former Maryland star Derik Queen No. 13 overall. The Pelicans landed former Oklahoma star Jeremiah Fears at No. 7. They’ll like St. Louis.