The Old Guard Steps Aside

The old-school sports columnist is a unique breed of journalist. For decades he gives voice to a city's elations and frustrations, on and off the field. No controversy of player, coach, nor owner passes without his remark, and he has the power to bring unseen stories and people to the public's attention. Unlike his repetitious colleagues on the op-ed page, he's never wanting for material, as the sports world hatches a new drama every day. And as thousands of bloggers and Twittering fans follow in his opinion-sharing footsteps, he scoffs at the hordes in their underwear.