Jackie MacMullan Leaves the Globe

The talent drain continues over on Morrissey Blvd. as word came down that respected sports columnist Jackie MacMullan was taking the buyout and leaving the Globe. It’s another blow to the broadsheet, which also recently suffered the loss of Steve Bailey.

MacMullan, who started at the Globe in 1982, returned to the paper in 2000 after a stint at Sports Illustrated and assumed columnist duties. But it was her takeouts, such as her sit-down with Tedy Bruschi, that best exhibited her talents. MacMullan was able to get athletes to open up about personal issues in a way that was always heartfelt, but never treacly.

In an email exchange, MacMullan said she was taking the buyout to spend more time with her family.

I have two school age children who are growing up before my eyes and I don’t want to miss anything. I’ve always said when I had to start fitting my life into my job instead of the other way around, it was time to go. I’m at that point. The Globe has been great to me, and I know I’m leaving them at a difficult time, but they understand my reasons. I’m looking forward to stepping back and just doing some occasional freelance work for a while. It’s a great feeling to look at my daughter’s track schedule and know I can make ALL of the meets, instead of only some of them.

This certainly won’t be the last we’ve heard of Jackie Mac, who in addition to writing several books, including one with Larry Bird, has also been a presence on ESPN, but it’s certainly a loss for the Globe, and its readers.