I will make this farewell short and sweet because this is the length I've been used to writing over the last few years.

People who truly know me are aware of my disdain for saying "goodbye." It just sounds too final.

But bear with me, as I'm about to unleash a number of "thank yous" and "I's" in what will be considered a historic edition of our 149-year-old paper.

I came to Denver in the fall of 1984 with the skills worthy of a clerical position in the workforce. No journalism degree - or aspirations. Within two years, I was writing a sport newsletter for fun on my job as an insurance clerk.

After accepting a dare from a friend, I approached an assistant sports editor at The Denver Post with the notion that I could be a sportswriter. Amazingly, I got my first byline covering prep sports.

Six years later, in 1992, I was hired full-time at The Post. A year later I was assigned to cover the Broncos. I left Denver in 1995 to work for The Charlotte Observer, came back to Denver in 1996 to work for the Rocky Mountain News and I've been with the paper ever since.

Until today.

I could go into all the sporting events and sports personalities that I've interviewed and befriended over the last 23 years. It's a long list. I've got an A-list of home addresses, home telephone numbers, cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses that I've compiled over time.

Thank you, to every player, coach, owner, athletic director, principal, student, media relations-type, team official, agent, reporter, copy editor or other personality within the media affiliated with sports that has given me the time of day - willingly or otherwise.

Someone asked for my favorite moment at the Rocky. After 13 years here, there are quite a few. Like the time I got stuck in the company elevator. Or the evening I arrived at the office in August 1996, fresh off a 26-hour plus drive from North Carolina - and was asked to knock out a full-page Sunday NFL notes package in less than 90 minutes.

Standing in the shower with Ray Bourque after he won the Stanley Cup is up there, too. I've got a photo to prove it. Sip on that one, peeps.

See, this little hole doesn't allow me to go where I'd really like to with all the thank yous and memories.

But I have saved the most meaningful one for the end.

Thank you, readers. I've enjoyed your company. I hope you enjoyed me.

What's next, you ask? I'm going to see Freddie G. for a haircut.