Ryan Divish, who most people know as the Seattle Times beat reporter for the Seattle Mariners, is coming home. He announced on Tuesday afternoon that he will be taking a four-month sabbatical from covering baseball, which starts on Thursday. In addition, he will be taking over the Havre Northstars baseball team this spring.
“I played for the (Northstars), coached in the program in college, and I wouldn’t be doing this (Seattle Times) job without the program,” Divish said in a statement on his ‘X’ account. “It changed the path of my life. I’m excited for this opportunity.”
Like he said, Divish is no stranger to sports. After playing for the Northstars as a high schooler and excelling in football, swimming, and golf during his Havre High days, he journeyed east to compete for Dickinson State on the baseball field, earning four letters in the process.
He had long been interested in the journalism world. Following his career for the Blue Hawks, he got his chance to earn those marks, going to the University of Montana and picking up a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Since then, he has held journalism jobs, first as the sports editor for the now-Havre Weekly Chronicle, then moving to cover Idaho State athletics for the Idaho State Journal. Finally, he landed in the Seattle area, first as the Mariners beat reporter for the Tacoma-based News Tribune and now at the Seattle Times for the last 11-plus seasons.
Divish cited the need to be with his family. His parents are still based in Havre and are involved with MSU-Northern athletics. Divish works with Havre athletes every winter, helping them master mechanics and getting them in the spotlight through his social media following.
“Spending part of my summer back home in Montana with girlfriend, Cindy, and her kids, (Northstars infielder and Havre High athlete) Tyson and (Havre High runner and basketball player) Macy and my parents while experiencing a different kind of baseball is a needed break,” Divish said. “The chance to coach Tyson and his friends is something I needed and wanted to do.”
Divish said he will return to the Mariners beat beginning the first week of August. Stay tuned to New Media Broadcasters for a conversation with Divish in the coming weeks before the Northstars season officially begins.
