Matt McHale tributes

Reactions to yesterday's death of former Daily News (plus Register, Star-News and AP) sports writer and editor Matt McHale include an obituary by Los Angeles Newspaper Group Sports Editor Kevin Modesti, a column by Steve Dilbeck and Rich Hammond's post at his Kings blog, which has become wildly popular among hockey fans here and across the NHL. Hammond posts:

Matt was my predecessor on the Kings beat, as well as my predecessor as deputy sports editor, but he had health issues for a number of years. It's impossible to put into words what Matt meant to my career. He was a friend and a mentor. He guided me through so many stories and through some tough times when I questioned whether I should find another line of work. He was patient, generous and such a tremendous writer. When Matt wrote a long feature, I would read every word. The subject didn't matter, because Matt would make it compelling. I think he took pride in helping young writers, and I will forever owe him a debt of gratitude.

So thanks for indulging me on that.

McHale, who was diabetic, was allowed to take disability during the March round of Daily News buyouts and layoffs, Dilbeck says.

* Also noted: Tom Hoffarth blogs a nice tribute to McHale, and Modesti adds some outtake details at his blog.