When he first started at The Sun, sports writers were on top of the sports journalism business. They had access to coaches, practice and players because they could influence the program. If the head coach lost the local columnist his days were numbered. Back then TV sports journalism barely existed. Your local news guy had 4 or 5 minutes to read the scores and headlines. On the national level Haywood Hale Broun showed up to report on boxing title matches, the Indy 500, and the Kentucky Derby.

Then ESPN changed everything. They have all the influence now. When they come to town they get personal interviews with the coaches, practice access and film-room time with the players. Bianchi and his ilk get a press release from the SID and 15 minutes to question a head coach who does not even bother to hide his disinterest and distain.

Mikey started out bold and brash. He dropped pop culture references in his columns and proudly proclaimed himself not an X’s and O’s guy. Now he is not even Bold New Camry. Eagles lyrics in his columns are as tired and stale as a ghost named ‘not me’ breaking something in The Family Circus or Garfield loving lasagna.

Barely relevant anymore, he directs his bitterness towards the few fans who still read him.