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Joe McDonnell died Friday afternoon at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, at the age of 58. No cause of death was given. McDonnell had hosted sports talk on several radio stations, reported sports for KNX, and worked several other places as a sports journalist. "Worked at almost every sports outlet on the local radio dial," L.A. Radio's Don Barrett reported. The Lakers issued statements from general manager Mitch Kupchak and team president Jeanie Buss. "Known for his quick wit and strong opinions, Joe’s love of and support of the Lakers has always been appreciated," Buss said. "Over all these years, our players, coaches and staff have enjoyed working with and knowing Joe. He will be sorely missed.” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said "I've known him since I first came up with the Dodgers. He's a good friend who will be missed. It's sad."
At one time, McDonnell weighed more than 700 pounds. He host hundreds of pounds after undergoing gastric bypass surgery. He grew up in the Valley and graduated from Alemany High School and Cal State Northridge. He got his start in radio at KGIL, then located in the Valley.
"Every press box, locker room, dugout and clubhouse in town welcomed Joe. He had a presence beyond his size," Steve Dilbeck writes at the LA Times. "The big man with the bigger heart passed away Friday and the Los Angeles sports scene will forever be sadder for it." Here's a 2010 column that Bill Plaschke wrote for the Times about McDonnell's presence in the LA sports scene.
McDonnell had posted this to Twitter in February:
The way Los Angeles radio and TV legends are dying I'm going to go hide for the rest of the day. Not that I'm a legend. I'm just paranoid!
— Joe McDonnell (@joeontheradio) February 13, 2015Today, the tweets are rolling in from the local sports world.
RIP @joeontheradio. Took this photo of Joe McDonnell & @Angels manager Mike Scioscia last season. Joe's happy place. pic.twitter.com/I7LGlXCM2E
— Jill Painter Lopez (@jillpainter) March 13, 2015MT @ramonashelburne RIP to Joe McDonnell, the guy EVERY athlete in LA always wanted to talk to no matter what he said about 'em. #respect
— Jill Painter Lopez (@jillpainter) March 13, 2015Remembering Joe McDonnell, the one and only http://t.co/nq41GpjT4u
— Steve Dilbeck (@stevedilbeck) March 14, 2015RIP Joe McDonnell. A fixture in the LA sports media landscape, a man who always stopped to say hello. I'll miss you Big Joe
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) March 13, 2015@ESPNLosAngeles planning a @joeontheradio tribute from 7-9 pm with @biggs_jeff tonight. KSPN 710AM
— Tom Hoffarth (@tomhoffarth) March 13, 2015Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of @joeontheradio. Really enjoyed talking with him over the years. RIP, my friend.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) March 13, 2015So sad to hear about the passing of Joe McDonnell, a one-of-a-kind sports personality in Los Angeles and a reporter at heart. RIP.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 13, 2015RIP Joe McDonnell, a great guy and a damn good journalist.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) March 13, 2015Having a hard time putting into words what Joe McDonnell meant to me growing up in L.A. Beyond saddened to learn about his passing.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) March 13, 2015