Detroit sports fans have seen their share of rocky roads over the last six months or so. The sports pages here have never been shy of drama in the "what will they do next" thinking (although we will never rival the New York Post for the scamming headlines). Each of our four pro sports has a gray cloud over it for various reasons.
* Detroit Pistons - Currently on the verge of being upset by the Cleveland Cavaliers after being primed to win their second NBA title in three years. Execution on the court has just collapsed in the team's losing three straight... I think their run on top may be over and I actually hope they end this nightmare soon. And for those who think the club should re-sign Ben Wallace, I disagree. He is more one-dimensional, is the worst in free-throwing, and his attitude is called into question. Plus, coach Flip Saunders' history suggests he can't get too far in the playoffs.
* Detroit Red Wings - Another playoff shocker in the first round this year, which will hopefully lead to some housecleaning. The team is too old, and ownership has tried too hard lately to recapture past magic with the same roster. People need to retire and move on as the team retools itself. Age killed the team, not the new salary cap.
* Detroit Tigers - Off to their best start in 13 years, their supposed leader, Dmitri Young, now faces jail time for abusing a woman some time ago. Injury-plagued and unproductive as he's been recently, the team may not miss him. Hopefully, they will miss the searing headlines and the inevitable distractions it may cause; as I really root for them to do well. And does it run in the family? Remember, his younger brother is suspended indefinitely for unsportsmanlike conduct.
* Detroit Lions - This is more a generational thing, and has provided Jay Leno with enough jokes to keep Conan O'Brien from taking over the Tonight Show too soon! Countless coaches, shuffled QBs, and franchise players who don't form a foundation for the team. All under one owner all these years. Time to sell the team to someone who really knows football.
-------------
A couple notes: The email for blog response will be changing - I had too many problems with Yahoo not sending emails. Look for the change in the next few days.
And: My local library (where I'm typing this), earlier faced with closing, will not close after all due to funding issues. I have worked in libraries before, as has my late mother, and I will say this: A computer can give you a world of information, but NOTHING beats a library for the complete research experience.
