Former Detroit sportswriter Bryan Burwell will be missed

DETROIT – In honor of the late, great Joe Falls, it's a Fish Fry Friday. ...

The sports world lost a good one on Thursday.

Recommended Videos



Former Detroit sportswriter Bryan Burwell died at 59 after a brief battle with cancer.

Burwell was a sports columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch since 2002.

But peeps in Motown remember when Burwell worked for the The Detroit News.

In fact, Burwell was the first black sports columnist for The News, a pioneer and a trailblazer for many in the sports-writing business. He was a great role model and a good writer. He worked hard and was passionate about his business.

Most sports fans will remember his columns on Michigan's Fab Five and the Bad Boys Detroit Pistons.

"I worked with Bryan at three different newspapers," Detroit News sports editor Phil Laciura said on Thursday. "He was a true professional and always upbeat.

"He was also a trailblazer for many African-American journalists."

Burwell was definitely a sports writer who I looked up. Burwell helped me start my career at the New York Daily News in 1986. He was both a coworker and a friend.

Burwell also wrote for the Daily News and Newsday in New York. He was a sports columnist at USA Today and the Washington Star.

Burwell was also one of the first writers to also crossover to TV as well. He was a reporter for HBO's "Inside the NFL." He also appeared on ESPN's Sports Reporters.

Burwell will be missed by many, especially me.

Winter Meetings Needs

The MLB Winter Meetings start on Sunday in San Diego.

The Tigers are in need of a number of things - an outfielder, relief help and some better bench players. Fans should be happy that the Tigers have been mentioned in the mix for a number of things.

The hottest rumor heading into the meetings is a trade between the Tigers and Boston Red Sox. Word is that the Red Sox would send outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to Motown in exchange for starter Rick Porcello.

There's also word that the Tigers would be willing to deal ace David Price if they were able to re-sign Max Scherzer.

There's also talk that the Tigers would make a play for starter Jon Lester as well, if the Scherzer deal doesn't work.

It appears, however, that the Tigers aren't in the mix for lefty reliever Andrew Miller, the former Tiger.

Miller, on most team's wish list, is believed to be headed to the New York Yankees.
In the last few years, the Tigers have made a splash in the offseason with both signings and trades. Most expect the same as the Tigers try to get owner Mike Ilitch a World Series trophy

So far, the Tigers have re-signed Victor Martinez to a new four-year contract. They also lost Torii Hunter, who re-signed with the Twins.

Still, most think if the Tigers are going to make another postseason run, they need to add some new blood to their roster.

Is Tom Gage Cooperstown Bound?

Tom Gage from the Detroit News could be getting a call from the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

He is one of three finalists for the J.G. Taylor Spink Award. The winner will be added to the writer's wing in Cooperstown, New York.

Former Detroit News columnist Joe Falls was inducted into the HOF in 2002.

Gage would be a great addition. I worked with Gage closely for nine years at The News. In fact, I was the person to nominate him. He is a worthy candidate.

Sports fans in Detroit have been blessed to read Gage's coverage of the Tigers for nearly 40 years.

Hoke's Replacement

With Brady Hoke out as Michigan head football coach, the search is on for his replacement.

The two biggest names out there are Jim Harbaugh, the current S.F. 49ers coach, and Les Miles, the current LSU coach.

Both would be excellent choices. Both played at Michigan and both have been successful coaches.

But there another name that's a dark horse. Some think John Harbaugh, Jim's brother, might be interested in leaving the Baltimore Ravens and joining the college ranks.

So Michigan could get a Harbaugh, just not the one most are expecting.