Dear Mr. Ryan.... Thanks and Enjoy your "semi-retirement"!.......look forward to still reading you when you grace us with your thoughts! Sincerely, Charlie--one who grew up and started reading from the Globe (esp Sports) in early 70's

Enjoy your retirement Bob. I've been retired for six months, no regrets.

In many ways, Bob's retirement from full time sportwriting awakens a number of thoughts and emotions since we are approximately the same age, and I have spent the better part of my adult life as a committed Globe and Ryan reader. His career spans an unparalled period of Boston area sports; tremendous accomplishments and painful failure. Thank you, Bob, for connecting us with these glorious sports events and providing candid and thoughtful observations, often from behind the scenes. I took my son to the Hall of fame induction ceremony in 2009 to witness, firsthand, Jim Rice formally joining that elite fraternity. Bob was sitting a few rows in front of us and I regret not personally thanking him for his excellent work through the years. Better late than never. Bob, it's been a great ride! Best wishes.

The 1970's. Any given Sunday morning with the Globe's Sports section, with its weekly roundup report on the doings in each of the 4 major sports. *** I don't remember who did hockey. But McDonough on football, Gammons on baseball, Ryan on basketball, plus Collins filling in periodically on tennis -- and don't forget John Powers on the Olympics (and I don't even like the Olympics!) -- and this wasn't only a Hall of Fame of writing. It was Paradise, Heaven, Shamayim, the Elysian Fields. *** It's actually depressing, in a way. 'Cause it reconfirms that I'm OLD, and a lot closer to check-out than entering the Store of Life.

"I have never once written to provoke or to attract attention." Ryan didn't have to intend "to provoke or attract attention." He did that naturally -- and I intend that as a compliment.

Thanks, Bob, for a great career. I first met you when I was working security in the press perch at Longwood in 1970(?). Rod Laver beat John Newcombe. George Kimball, you and Mike Lupica in one press booth was way too much for proper decorum to maintain itself between sets. I followed your writing since then, and appreciated your skill, tact and knowledge of your subject. Thanks. Good health and happiness. You will be missed. And don't take up fishing.

Mr. Ryan...thank you. I am 44 years old and since I could read you have been a staple of my sports life. I am sad to see you retire but happy for you and your lovely wife. Enjoy your time, do fun things, maybe write a book about all you've seen and done. In a day and age of bombast you have been a the opposite and that will truly be missed. Godspeed and many blessings.

It has been my great pleasure to read Bob Ryan since I moved to Boston in 1978. Thank you for all the years of insight, humor, and just plain good writing about sports. As a devoted Globe reader (yes, I still read the real paper Globe) I will miss Bob Ryan immensely. Not since the departure of Peter Gammons have I felt such a loss. Bob, enjoy your retirement. I look forward to seeing your work on occasion. Just a word of warning--after my father retired from the Washington Post he wrote "occasional" pieces for nearly thirty years, so I can be habit forming. A Devoted Newton Reader of the Globe

Thank you Mr. Ryan for being a must-read for so long

Nice column, Bob. You'll be missed. No mention of Ray Fitzgerald?!

Not a word a out Shaghnessy?

Inspiring Farewell, Mr Ryan! It's going to my journalist daughter, my sports fan son-in-law, and the whole family. Big High Five on a career well done. And best wishes for the next chapter.

Bob, thank you for your years of service. Back when you were a beat writer doing game day stories, no one made me feel like I was actually watching the game in question as much as you did. I still hold you completely responsible for me skipping a college class back in 1981 when I was far too immersed in your prose detailing the infamous Boston-Philly game 7. I had watched that game the day before and had not missed a second on television, yet I felt like I was seeing it unfold anew based on your description. Enjoy!

Thank you Bob and good luck doing what you want to do when you want to do it.

Thanks, Bob, you have been one class act. All the best in your new life.

Thanks. Good health and good fortune.

Thanks for all the enjoyment I've gotten reading your columns. You're one of the greats.

Tom and Ray Magliozzi and now Bob Ryan....'How de life goes on....' Bob, thanks for so many of the words that have framed our memories....artistic creativity makes understandable (emotionally, sensually, and intellectually) the events we experience every day and enriches our lives. I look forward to sharing your insight on those occasional pieces. I too migrated from the NY metro area (in 1968), having been a rabid local sports fan as a kid. I think now that the the intelligent and insightful commentary I encountered in the Globe, had a lot to do with my becoming a proud New England fan. Good luck and health in whatever you do.

Mr. Ryan, I am not a sports enthusiast, but I am newspaper enthusiast who reads your column with pleasure. Good writers attract readers regardless of the content--and you are a great writer. Thank you and best wishes.

One day in the office I heard one co-worker say to another, "You see Bob Ryan's new story?" I was new to the city and was clueless as to who he was. My friend responded to my inquiry "He's Boston's sports journalist." As if we only had one. I have read you ever since, Mr. Ryan. For about six years, just a drop in the bucket of your career. Thanks for everything.

Bye Bob! I've always loved reading your columns, thank you so much for your contribution. Hope you enjoy your more flexible, obligation-free life and hope to see you around.

Best wishes, Bob!

Thanks for being the best sports columnist in the country and for writing with a sense of enthusiasm and joy. Sports are supposed to be fun and you never got away from that idea.

Well done Bob. I wish you well.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for many years of great reading. You were one of my Boston connections when I lived on the left coast. I've been back for twenty five years and read your column regularly. Enjoy the next phase!!