Hal McCoy is a former beat writer for the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio), covering the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. He was honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 as the winner of the J. G. Taylor Spink Award, which is awarded annually "for meritorious contributions to baseball writing." He has won 52 Ohio and national writing awards and was the first non-Cincinnati newsperson elected to the Cincinnati Journalists Hall of Fame. He also was inducted into the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame and the Irish-American Baseball Hall of Fame. He has a stone on Dayton's Walk of Fame and the press box at Dayton's Howell Field is named the Hal McCoy Press Box. McCoy has been the Cincinnati BBWAA Chapter Chair 22 times and was the BBWAA national president in 1997. He is the third writer from the Dayton Daily News to win the J. G. Taylor Spink Award, joining Si Burick (1982) and Ritter Collett (1991). Residing in Englewood, Ohio, McCoy is an honors graduate in journalism from Kent State University.
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Wednesday, 05 August 2026 / Published in Features, Home Features, Ohio Harness Racing

McCoy: Gillespie’s Dream Turns Nightmare Overnight…Loses Ride In Hambletonian

Driver Ronnie Gillespie's dream of driving in the Hambletonian this weekend won't come true in the short term, but his work to prepare a pre-race favorite may cause his phone to ring in the future.  After reading his story, one can only hope so. Hal McCoy writes for Press Pros.......
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Wednesday, 29 July 2026 / Published in Features, Home Features, Ohio Harness Racing

McCoy: For Jeff Nisonger, Perseverance Has Its Benefits

There are those who speak their mind without talent...and talents who keep their thoughts to themselves.  Greenville native Jeff Niswonger proves he can do both, with 4,000 wins in his resume' and an opinion at the ready if and when it's necessary.
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Sunday, 12 July 2026 / Published in Features, Home Features, Ohio Harness Racing

McCoy: David Miller’s Comeback Defies Time, The Odds, And Those Who Doubt

Six weeks after a horrific on-track accident, David Miller returned to Scioto Downs Friday (above) to continue his assault on father time, the winner's circle and the record book.  His story, and the image of how it all happened, is enough to make one shiver. Hal McCoy writes the story......
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Monday, 29 June 2026 / Published in Features, Home Features, Ohio Harness Racing

McCoy: Widger, 62, Plans To Race Until The Almighty Says Stop

One of the OHHA's most affable drivers counts on relationships, good horses, and good instincts to get the most out the time he has left on the track.  "Until God tells me not to race,"  says Sam Widger. Hal McCoy writes his story.......
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Wednesday, 24 June 2026 / Published in Features, Ohio Harness Racing

McCoy: Still Standing Legacy…Ryan Holton Survives To Carry On The Family Tradition

Carried away from an accident five years ago at Hilliard, Ryan Holton has made his comeback as a trainer and advocate for youth involvement with racing.  A career that's been scary at times, he has the scars to prove his commitment to racing.  He's looking forward, not to the past. Hal McCoy writes the story.....