Cardinals appreciation: Bernie Miklasz

If you’ve read your hometown newspaper or a publication from out of town, there is no doubt you’ve noticed the paper has shrunk over the years.

In addition, some noteworthy writers have moved on, either involuntarily or by taking other jobs.

If you live in the St. Louis area, you’ve probably seen the name Bernie Miklasz thousands of times in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. You may have even read his stuff online if you live out of the area.

Miklasz recently announced he was leaving the paper after 25 years to join the ESPN affiliate in St. Louis as host of a three-hour radio show. His last day will be Aug. 9.

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In fairness, it’s not like Miklasz is never going to write again. But his loss will leave a huge void in the paper’s pages for many months to come.

Miklasz, as the paper’s columnist, had an opinion on practically everything. But it was his Cardinals coverage that caught my eye, as the coverage team blanketed all things red and white on game days and in the offseason.

Along with people like Joe Strauss, Derrick Goold, and the late Bryan Burwell, Miklasz presented the reader with outstanding coverage every day.

I looked forward to my visits to St. Louis. The daily papers used to be thicker in size and content, and in the fall the sports sections often burst with coverage of all things professional to high school. The Saturday “Weekender” product, which was a tabloid, often went over 150 pages on most Saturdays and gave the sports fan plenty to consume.

The Cardinals dominated the headlines during playoff appearances, much the same way The Kansas City Star practically doubled in size for a month or so when the Royals went on their incredible run last fall.

I devoured all the coverage, but my first visit was usually to Miklasz. His column sometimes graced A-1, the euphemism for making the front of the paper. He never held back. If the Cardinals did badly in a game, he’d be the first to say it.

I must confess to being a little wistful here. I’m an ink-stained wretch like Miklasz. I’ve been in this business for over 20 years. I like reading, both online and offline, so the idea of a printed paper still makes me happy.

I should also add Miklasz isn’t going away. You will still be able to see his columns on the station’s website. But a part of the newspaper won’t be the same.

A thank you to Bernie for the many columns I read over breakfasts in the hotel rooms of St. Louis. The Cardinals coverage team will still be strong, but it will miss a familiar face.

Good luck on your new journey.

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