By Marc Thaler
Managing Sports Editor

This is my 110th column for Neighborhood News. It’s also my last.

Next week, something new will appear in this space, as I’ll be in a new place – at the Union Leader, covering sports.

Without question, I’m extremely excited for this chance to advance.

Of course, I’m also truly appreciative for the opportunities presented to me since stepping foot in a much smaller Neighborhood more than three years ago.

Among those many opportunities, the sports editor, Jerry Liptak, gave me the go-ahead to periodically write a column in the fall of ’03. I quickly accepted the invitation before he could rethink his offer and take it off the table.

More articles • This is it • Nitwit nation • Closing argument • Patriots 102 • Show me the funny! • Tito has veto power • Impact was (mid) major • Patriots 101 • First-ever 'Noddies' • Pigs are flying • Coming to my senses • Farewell to this King • Preseason pressure • New blood • Beautiful day • Game may spark a Super discussion • Boy, his actions make me wonder • First night • Spill on a slippery slope • Groundhog Day on Yawkey Way • Saving the best for last • This Boss born to coach USA • Pa, it appears, still knows best • Giving thanks, gridiron style • Still not convinced they're Super • A costly lesson in time management • Unchallenged and unimpressive • Final thoughts on the '05 season • Story could have horrific ending • Man behind the Mike • Less than Wild about this finish • That's all, Foulke • Several holes in these Sox • Making a generous Pey-ment

At the time, I was barely seven months on the job. Try naming even five people asked to write a column so quickly in their careers. I certainly can’t do it.

The honor of having a piece of the sports section set aside to house my thoughts, my opinions, ranks among my top professional achievements to date. My boss, who long ago became my good friend, had faith I’d build a loyal following of readers.

He has my deepest gratitude for displaying the confidence I’d deliver.

I know the boss, however. He isn’t interested in placing a column on the sports page that thanks him. Yes, my mentor taught me well.

Instead, my sincere thanks goes to those loyal readers Liptak told me I’d attract with this weekly exercise.

Digging through the archives, I discovered column No. 1 appeared on Oct. 9, 2003.

“Our team” chronicled the viewing habits of a father and son watching Trot Nixon help the Red Sox avoid a three-game sweep in the ’03 American League Division Series against Oakland. Nixon’s walk-off home run fell into the center field bleachers, as father and son nearly fell off the couch.

Talk about tense – and fun – sitting side-by-side with my dad, watching the BoSox win Game 3, then Games 4 and 5.

My periodical – and thennameless – column became a consistent part of the Neighborhood sports section soon after, due to positive feedback from the public.

Offering my opinions about the high school, college and professional sports teams relevant to local readers became a full-time gig five months into ’04. And on June 10 of that year, this column was appropriately named “Keeping Score.”

Flipping through old issues reminded me I had a field day with this forum. None of the 100-plus write-ups were assignments from my boss; he just expected me to write something interesting every week.

I’m proud to say the space was always filled, hopefully with a viewpoint readers found informative, thought-provoking, humorous or controversial.

Every week, my intention was never to write a column hoping readers would agree. In fact, it took a bit of time to realize the ultimate praise came from folks who’d write or call to say my take on any given topic was dead wrong.

I thoroughly enjoyed receiving complimentary messages.

But the readers who disagreed and still took the time to respond really made me smile.

“Whether they think you’re right or wrong, it means they’re reading what you write,” the sports editor told me time and again.

Before saying goodbye, I’d also like to say I never hunched over the keyboard attempting to hit the proverbial home run. The goal was only to make contact. If I could put the ball in play each week, good things would likely happen.

I believe that’s been the case. Indeed, it’s been a blast.