Born in Chicago, Illinois, Holtzman wrote for his hometown papers for over 50 years. Beginning as a copyboy at the "Chicago Daily News" in 1943, Holtzman wrote for the paper through its merger with the "Chicago Sun". His influence and viewpoints made him something of a legend among newspapermen. Southern humorist Lewis Grizzard, who was sports editor of the "Sun-Times" for part of Holtzman's career, called him "the dean of American baseball writers," and went on to say "He never smiled, but he had the keys to Cooperstown. No major leaguer ever got into the Hall of Fame if Holtzman didn't want him there. He had tremendous sources. He was writing about the possibility of a baseball players union and a baseball players strike "long" before anyone else." Holtzman left the "Sun-Times" in 1981 for the "Chicago Tribune", remaining there until his retirement in 1999.