To start this segment off, I want to focus on a city that has had turmoil (both on and off the field) and the turning around of their sports franchises that have suffered long-running futility; have finally given the city a reason to celebrate. In saying that, here’s the State of Detroit. The biggest city in Michigan isn’t pretty and frankly has some scary areas. I used to work for a bank based in Detroit so years ago I would regularly travel there for meetings. While it always appeared depressing and gray, I always had a great time in Royal Oak, Pontiac, and Greektown, and always had great conversations with people regarding their love for Detroit sports. Detroit fans are passionate about their teams (whether good or bad), and that’s what fandom is truly about.
One thing that always bummed me about Michigan in general (my ex-wife is from there, so I did spend some time in that fine state), was the economy. They live and die by the automotive industry and with the economy taking a shit, Michigan was hit hard and unemployment was through the roof.
Detroit even suffered a giant hit when it comes to the music scene. What used to be the home of Motown, The MC5, Iggy Pop, and Ted Nugent, is now the home to the likes of Eminem and Kid Rock (which is just bad shit).
It might come off as a cop-out, but sports are a great distraction to a shitty situation. Unfortunately outside the Red Wings, there wasn’t much to cheer for in Detroit. Well times have finally changed and the loyal fans of Detroit actually have something to cheer about.
There’s no disputing the Red Wings are among the leagues elite and have been for the past 22 years. An “Original Six” NHL team, they haven’t missed the playoffs since 1990 and haven’t had a losing record since 1991. Over this time period they have been in the Stanley Cup Finals six times, winning four of them.
There’s a reason they call Detroit “Hockeytown”.
While the legends I grew up watching like Steve Yzerman, Bob Probert (RIP), and Chris Chelios are gone, Nicklas Lidstrom is playing his final season and Pavel Datsyuk, Jiri Hudler, and Valtteri Filppula are leading a new generation of Red Wings for Detroit fans to cheer for. They’re be no shortage of fans in Joe Louis Arena, armed with octopi, anytime the Red Wings are playing at home.
With the Western Conference being real deep with talent, it won’t be an easy road for the Wings, but they are a playoff shoe-in and they’ll be in the hunt all season long.
Aside from the 2005 season when they lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals (I hate those bastards), the Tigers haven’t been relevant since the days of Alan Trammell and “Sweet” Lou Whitaker. Since they won the World Series in 1984 (the last time they won), the Tigers have only had 10 winning seasons (that’s 27 years for those who don’t want to do the math). Not the production any baseball fan wants to see out of their team.
Regardless of the pitiful play, Tigers fans still came out and filled up Tiger Stadium and Comerica Park. Showing their allegiance and still wanting to see a Tigers win.
Despite losing the ACLS to the Rangers in six games, there’s still a lot to like about the Tigers (I really shit the bed in my MLB Playoff predictions this season). Odds are Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen will not return next season the Tigers still have a core of players that includes Miguel Cabrera, Alex Avila, Delmon Young, Victor Martinez, and Austin Jackson. Not to mention a solid young pitching staff that includes Justin Verlander (who should win the Cy Young Award and MVP), Doug Fister, Max Scherzer, and Rick Porcello, with Jose Valverde returning to the close games out in the ninth.
Jim Leyland is still a top notch manager and general manager Dave Dombroski never remains idol, so Tigers fans can expect and holes to be addressed this winter.
Look Tiger fans, I know it hasn’t been the best weekend for you and after what the Phillies did in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Cardinals, I feel your pain, but at least Mickey Tettleton, Rob Deer, and Skeeter Barnes aren’t on the roster. There’s still plenty of hope on this horizon.
Aside from the classless stunt that coach Jim Schwartz pulled when he wanted to fight 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh after Sunday’s 25-19 loss, I really like the Lions (SIDEBAR: I respect the passion that both coaches shown, but even if Schwartz thought Harbaugh disrespected him, he needs to be above that nonsense and not treat it as if it’s a East Coast/West Coast rap war).
The Lions have been a joke since the day they fired Wayne Fontes. It’s been a long road, but now they are back. Coming into this season no one expected the Lions to do anything but in my preseason predictions I had them going 10-6 and making the Wild Card. Unfortunately because I was a Road Warrior, I didn’t finish it in time for the season to start so it was never on The Riot! (if you think I’m bandwagon jumping on the Lions because they are 5-1, you’re wrong. I also picked the Eagles and Jets to both go 13-3 and meet each other in the Superbowl. That seems to be working out well.).
Calvin Johnson is the best wide receiver in football and Matthew Stafford is maturing into an elite quarterback. Their front four on the defense is among the leagues best, and the rest of the defense is stepping up in a big way.
The Lions have also developed a twelfth man on the field, and it’s something any sports fan likes to see; the home crowd. The fandom and passion at Ford Field is insane and it gets real loud in the dome. I saw parts of the game this past Sunday and I couldn’t believe how loud it sounded. You can tell the sound affects the opponents. At one point I saw the 49ers have three straight false starts. That’s on you fans. When the opposing line can’t hear the snap count or play call, mistakes will be made to only help the defense.
The only real concern I see with the Lions now is they need to remember to play the first half. For the four consecutive weeks the Lions were down at halftime. While they have one three out of four of those games, no team can expect to be successful when they are constantly playing catch up.
There is basketball in Detroit, but they’re not currently playing due to the owners and players determining who can be more greedy. I’ve stated numerous times I could care less if basketball ever returns (although I will miss the Knicks), but I know not everyone shares my view here. The Pistons have been a competitive team for years and have helped Detroit fans ignore the Tigers disastrous seasons and the Lions just being terrible.
With the Red Wings being the Red Wings, and Sunday’s now being everything Lions, the Pistons shouldn’t be missed as much as they once were. Eventually the greedy parties will end the lockout and the Pistons will return to the hardwood.
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