Steve Mistler has been around.

The Sun Journal political reporter used to freelance at papers in Florida and California. Then he moved to New England and covered sports. Then he did some investigative stuff. Now he has a desk in Augusta from which he keeps his eye on all those people in the political arena.

Mistler is this year’s Maine Press Association Journalist of the Year. Before he manages to shift shapes yet again, we caught up with him to ask him some big questions. You know, the good and bad of local politics, how he feels about the award and why he’s afraid of bowling shoes.

Let’s see how Mistler likes being on the other side of the notebook for a change.

You went from covering sports to covering politics. How hard was it to make that switch? Not really. You deal with big egos covering sports, especially the pros. It’s a bit like that covering politics except the actors can’t physically rip your head off (most of them). I once asked former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Rick Ankiel if he was afraid to pitch inside. He nearly punched me in the face. Now that was scary.

Are there similarities in those beats? You can cover both like there are winners and losers. The difference is that in sports the teams or athletes win or lose. In politics Republicans and Democrats win or lose, but the people they represent can really win or lose.

What’s the most fun about covering politics? Getting the story behind the story. Chasing motive is sometimes like chasing the dragon, but man, it’s pretty rewarding if you catch it.

What’s a drag? Some people are going to hate you. It’s also not a great place to restore your faith in humanity. It reminds me of a quote from the movie “L.A. Confidential”: “Edmund, you’re a political animal. You have the eye for human weakness, but not the stomach.”

Did you know you were about to be named Journalist of the Year? Or did they sneak it by you? Did you see my acceptance “speech”? I’m lucky I managed to say “thank you.” Total surprise.

Android or iPhone? iPhone! I wish they could implant that thing so I could stay connected. Someday.

What did you look like before you went all cue ball? Flowing locks, like Brad Pitt in “Troy.”

Any truth to the rumor that you’re afraid of bowling shoes? I’m afraid of GERMS in bowling shoes. They never get the disinfectant all the way in there, just sort of crop-dust the outside, which is useless.