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mikesielski.bsky.social
@mikesielski.bsky.social
64 followers 41 following 15 posts
Husband, dad, author, sports columnist for the Philly Inquirer, co-host on Sports Radio WIP, persona non grata at your local Wawa.
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Reposted
lukereasoner.bsky.social
“The reasons that Terrence (Butler) had died … would remain shrouded in grief and incomprehension, in blindness born of love and admiration and disbelief that he was capable of such an act — in an innocent unwillingness or inability to see.”

call or text 988 if you or someone you know needs help
Drexel’s Terrence Butler died two years ago. The reasons for his passing still elude everyone who loved him.
His basketball career beset by knee injuries, Butler was found dead in his room at Drexel in August 2023. Reaching a definitive conclusion about why he took his life is akin to grasping at vapor.
www.inquirer.com
December 21, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Reposted
johnsemley3000.bsky.social
The case for Philly-Buffalo-Niagara solidarity. I have never seen a piece of writing reflect my exact politics. via @mikesielski.bsky.social in the @inquirer.com. www.inquirer.com/sports/eagle...
Eagles fans should be able to relate to long-suffering Bills followers | Mike Sielski
The Eagles have quelled much of the anger and anxiety that once characterized Philadelphia sports fandom. For Buffalo, though, there has been no great expulsion of joy and relief.
www.inquirer.com
December 26, 2025 at 8:01 PM
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mikesielski.bsky.social
After Terrence Butler, a Drexel University basketball player, shot himself in August 2023, I spent 18 months trying to understand why. Suicide is a mystery, a terrifying one. Hope you'll give this a read. Thanks.
@richarddeitsch.bsky.social @jaketapper.bsky.social
www.inquirer.com/college-spor...
Drexel’s Terrence Butler died two years ago. The reasons for his passing still elude everyone who loved him.
His basketball career beset by knee injuries, Butler was found dead in his room at Drexel in August 2023. Reaching a definitive conclusion about why he took his life is akin to grasping at vapor.
www.inquirer.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Reposted
phillysport.bsky.social
The Eagles have quelled much of the anger and anxiety that once characterized Philadelphia sports fandom. For Buffalo, though, there has been no great expulsion of joy and relief, writes @mikesielski.bsky.social.
A photo of Bills fans with a headline in black text over a white background that says "Eagles fans should be able to relate to long-suffering Bills followers | Mike Sielski."
December 24, 2025 at 9:34 PM
mikesielski.bsky.social
After Terrence Butler, a Drexel University basketball player, shot himself in August 2023, I spent 18 months trying to understand why. Suicide is a mystery, a terrifying one. Hope you'll give this a read. Thanks.
@richarddeitsch.bsky.social @jaketapper.bsky.social
www.inquirer.com/college-spor...
Drexel’s Terrence Butler died two years ago. The reasons for his passing still elude everyone who loved him.
His basketball career beset by knee injuries, Butler was found dead in his room at Drexel in August 2023. Reaching a definitive conclusion about why he took his life is akin to grasping at vapor.
www.inquirer.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
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pjsauer.bsky.social
Holy Crap Thunder @mikesielski.bsky.social

That’s a thing of beauty. NYC Squawkin launch dibs.

Congrats.

You did it. We can all do it.
(Read it anyway).
December 14, 2025 at 8:08 PM
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phillysport.bsky.social
Even when the Eagles win, many of their fans still express their frustration with them. It could be much, much worse here, writes @mikesielski.bsky.social.
A photo of Nick Sirianni with a headline in black text over a white background below that says "Eagles fans don't know how good they have it right now | Mike Sielski"
November 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM
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phillysport.bsky.social
There are two kinds of teams that would trade a player like A.J. Brown: bad teams and dumb teams, argues @mikesielski.bsky.social.
A photo of A.J. Brown with a headline in black text over a white background below that says "The Eagles were never going to trade A.J. Brown | Mike Sielski"
November 5, 2025 at 3:15 PM
mikesielski.bsky.social
It's unfair, and it's reductive, and I understand all the counterarguments. And yet ... if I were the #Sixers, I wouldn't draft Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey. Why? Because #Rutgers stunk. Column:
www.inquirer.com/sports/sixer...
Here's why the Sixers should pass on Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey in the draft | Mike Sielski
The two former Scarlet Knights are expected to be taken near the top of the NBA draft. They played for a losing team, though. Why do the names Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz come to mind?
www.inquirer.com
June 17, 2025 at 12:13 PM
mikesielski.bsky.social
"MAGIC IN THE AIR is a can’t-miss title this summer ... Tells the tale of how the dunk revolutionized basketball with dozens of interviews from players, coaches & experts. Fans of Julius & Jordan will find plenty to love in this exciting book."
www.miningjournal.net/features/202...
Sports-themed books make inspiring reading
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy reading, whether under a tree, by the lakeshore or on a sunny balcony. Books bring adventure, inspiration and endless possibilities to the season. It’s also the sea...
www.miningjournal.net
June 15, 2025 at 8:56 PM
mikesielski.bsky.social
Affairs, Confusion, and Delaware.
andrewmarchand.bsky.social Andrew Marchand @andrewmarchand.bsky.social · Jun 9
Marchand Sports Media has subscribers in 47 states and 43 countries, which do you think are the three states with no subscribers?
June 9, 2025 at 11:46 PM
mikesielski.bsky.social
Thanks to the Sunday Long Read for including this one in today's newsletter. It's part-true crime, part-hidden Hollywood history. Boxing manager Howie Steindler showed Burgess Meredith how to play Mickey in ROCKY. His murder, in 1977, remains a mystery.
www.inquirer.com/sports/a/syl...
He was Burgess Meredith’s model for Mickey in ‘Rocky.’ His murder remains unsolved.
Howie Steindler was a respected manager in the Los Angeles boxing scene. He worked closely with Meredith and Sylvester Stallone on the film. His death is still a troubling mystery after 48 years.
www.inquirer.com
June 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM
mikesielski.bsky.social
My parents moved out of their house last week. So I wrote about a great place to grow up, a great place to be a kid, and a great place to learn how to talk and write about Philly sports. #Eagles #Phillies
www.inquirer.com/sports/colum...
Farewell to a home where a love of Philly sports took root | Mike Sielski
This is a story about a couple, the home they lived in for 42 years, and a kid who learned so much there.
www.inquirer.com
June 4, 2025 at 1:21 PM
mikesielski.bsky.social
Found this story while researching my ROCKY book. Had to tell it. The boxing trainer who showed Burgess Meredith how to play "Mickey" was murdered less than a year after the movie came out. Nearly a half-century later, the case remains unsolved.
@richarddeitsch.bsky.social
share.inquirer.com/zyesmk
He was Burgess Meredith’s model for Mickey in ‘Rocky.’ His murder remains unsolved.
Howie Steindler was a respected manager in the Los Angeles boxing scene. He worked closely with Meredith and Sylvester Stallone on the film. His death is still a troubling mystery after 48 years.
share.inquirer.com
June 4, 2025 at 1:20 PM
mikesielski.bsky.social
Wrote about Bob.
#Flyers
www.inquirer.com/flyers/serge...
Flyers should learn from their mistake with Sergei Bobrovsky | Mike Sielski
Back in 2012, they gave up too soon on a promising young goalie. They have two more in their system now. They can't repeat that mistake.
www.inquirer.com
May 28, 2025 at 11:30 AM
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phillysport.bsky.social
Join @mikesielski.bsky.social and basketball analyst Marc Jackson at the Fitler Club for a subscriber-only evening exploring the power and poetry of basketball.

Mike and Marc will dive into the myth, meaning, and enduring legacy of Philly hoops 🏀

RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening...
A blue and red graphic that features a white box in the top left corner that says "Inquirer Live x Fitler Club Speaker Series." In the top right is white text over a black background that says "Slam Dunk." Underneath that is a photo of Marc Jackson. In the bottom left is a photo of Mike Sielski. To the right of Sielski is red text over a white background that says "Magic in the air." Below that is black text that says "RSVP: The story of the slam dunk, live at the Fitler Club." Below Sielski is white text that says "May 28 at 6 p.m."
May 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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phillysport.bsky.social
The Flyers might reach into their past to hire Rick Tocchet. Fear not, writes @mikesielski.bsky.social.

🔗 www.inquirer.com/flyers/flyer...
A photo of Rick Tocchet with a label in white text near the bottom over a black background that says "The Flyers might reach into their past and hire Rick Tocchet as head coach." The subhead says "Hiring the former Flyer, however, wouldn't define the franchise's future, argues columnist Mike Sielski." A photo of Rick Tocchet with Mike Sielski's quote above it in white text over a black background that says "Rick Tocchet might be the right coach for them. He might not be. But as important as that decision will be, it won't define the franchise's future. The decision that will already has been made. The decision that the Flyers so long to make."
April 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM
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phillysport.bsky.social
The Eagles have a chance to draft a couple of young, promising offensive linemen, and they should, writes @mikesielski.bsky.social.
It would pay for the Eagles to use some draft picks on offensive linemen | Mike Sielski
The Eagles have a chance to draft a couple of young, promising offensive linemen, and they should.
www.inquirer.com
April 7, 2025 at 3:33 PM
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pjsauer.bsky.social
Dunks are forever cool, so is the history. Here’s me and @mikesielski.bsky.social chopping it up for the OC, baby.

www.ocregister.com/2025/03/24/w...
Why sportswriter Mike Sielski’s basketball book ‘Magic in the Air’ is a slam dunk
Philadelphia Inquirer sportswriter Mike Sielski dissects basketball’s greatest slam dunks in his latest book.
www.ocregister.com
March 24, 2025 at 8:57 PM
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garypotosky.bsky.social
The #Eagles are built to overcome Darius Slay leaving, says @mikesielski.bsky.social www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagle...
Darius Slay gave the Eagles all they could have wanted | Mike Sielski
He was a terrific cornerback and a mentor to his heir, Quinyon Mitchell. But there's no need to panic over whether the Eagles can thrive without him. They can.
www.inquirer.com
March 4, 2025 at 2:01 PM
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garypotosky.bsky.social
A #Sixers reality check from @mikesielski.bsky.social www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixer...
Joel Embiid’s Sixers career will likely end in disappointment. Was it fair to expect anything different?
Embiid's nine seasons on the court weren’t enough for anyone to be satisfied. But what if that stretch was as good as it was ever going to get?
www.inquirer.com
March 6, 2025 at 1:38 PM
mikesielski.bsky.social
For any folks in the New York area: I'll be at DSK Brooklyn in Fort Greene from 7-9 p.m. Thursday for this cool event. There will be beer. There will be books. It will be a great time. Thanks.
#Knicks #Nets #Sixers
www.eventbrite.com/e/squawkin-s...
Squawkin' Sports: Mike Sielski and Bill Morris (at DSK)
Hosts Patrick Sauer & David J. Roth discuss the history of the slam dunk and the fortunes of the Detroit Lions with the authors!
www.eventbrite.com
February 26, 2025 at 1:26 PM
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chadfinn.bsky.social
Such an enjoyable book.
February 22, 2025 at 8:51 PM
mikesielski.bsky.social
Thanks to the @bostonglobe.com's @chadfinn.bsky.social for the great review of MAGIC IN THE AIR: "Soaring. Joy is easily found in this book, which is structured as a series of compelling stories that could stand as exceptional long-form features on their own."
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/22/s...
‘Magic in the Air’ is a slam dunk on a game that was defined by its joyful pursuit of aesthetic brilliance - The Boston Globe
“Professional basketball has become so analytical, so soulless at times,’’ wrote author Mike Sielski.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 22, 2025 at 8:20 PM
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mikevacc.bsky.social
ICYMI, Column: the family of David Berger long honored his memory by believing in the Olympic ideal even as the story of the 11 Israeli athletes murdered in Munich receded to mist. “September 5,” a brilliant movie, ensures they will never be forgotten. nypost.com/2025/02/19/s...
It took five decades to capture the peril of 1972 Munich Olympics tragedy
It is a note-perfect movie, most worthy 90 minutes of your time. It tells a story that needs to be told, and retold.
nypost.com
February 20, 2025 at 3:05 PM