Larry Guest, a titan in sports journalism, has passed away, leaving a legacy that’s hard to match in today’s media landscape
Things were changing fast. The big names in sports journalism were fading away, and it was tough to compete with the new wave of media.
When the internet hit newspapers like a meteor in the early 2000s, it changed everything. The powerful voices of columnists like Larry were replaced by viral content and social media trends.
Sadly, Larry passed away over the weekend at 82. He was the last of the greats in Florida sports journalism, alongside legends like Tom McEwen and Edwin Pope.
Back in the day, before ESPN, I remember rushing to grab the Gainesville Sun just to see what Jack Hairston had to say about the Gators. Fans were glued to every word from columnists like Bill McGrotha too.
Then there were the heavyweights—Pope, Mizell, McEwen, and Guest. They had the power to hire and fire coaches. In fact, it was Pope who convinced Joe Robbie to hire Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history.
Guest was well-connected, mingling with sports icons like Arnold Palmer and Bobby Bowden. He covered Super Bowls, Masters tournaments, and even the Olympics.
Brian Schmitz, a former colleague, recalls how columnists like Larry were more famous than the athletes themselves. They were not just writers; they were influential figures in the community.
Guest was a close friend of Jimmy Hewitt, who co-founded the Orlando Magic. Larry used his platform to rally support for bringing the NBA to Orlando.
Pat Williams once said that nothing happened in the city without Larry’s involvement. He was the go-to guy for sports news and influence.
Years later, when Williams sought support for a new baseball stadium, he advised me to follow in Guest’s footsteps. But I didn’t have the connections Larry had.
Columnists like Guest were part of the inner circle, trusted to shape the news. McEwen was credited with bringing the NFL to Tampa Bay, and he even had a street named after him.
There are legendary stories about McEwen’s influence. Once, a politician said, “If McEwen says I said it, then I said it.” That’s the kind of power they had.
But as the industry changed, some thought these columnists had become too influential. When McEwen was let go, he was criticized for his close ties with teams.
Guest retired at 58, knowing the industry was shifting. Social media has changed how we consume news, making it harder for columnists to have the same impact.
Larry Guest may be gone, but the era he represented ended long before him. The giants of journalism are no longer with us.
Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on X (formerly Twitter) @BianchiWrites and listen to my Open Mike radio show every weekday from 6 to 9:30 a.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/listen
