For nearly 50 years, Jenison Field House was the site of hundreds of basketball games. It was home to some of Michigan State’s greats. But on one March night in 1963, it was the site of a game that turned out to be so much more.
The first time that Michigan took on a powerhouse from the South was 78 years ago, and it was most certainly the worst day in Michigan football history.
In a scene that became familiar to Lions fans, Joe Schmidt stops 49ers fullback John Henry Johnson at the goal line in 1956.Johnson later played fullback for the Lions. The 1950s were the “Golden Age” for the Detroit Lions. They dominated the National Football League with three NFL titles, a Western Conference crown, and two … Continue Reading →
Since they began in 1896, the modern Olympic Games have become the greatest sporting event any athlete can be chosen to compete in. No matter how many national or world championship titles an athlete participates in, to compete in the Olympic Games remains his or her supreme ambition. Yesterday’s Olympians are inevitably tied to the … Continue Reading →
Wilbert Rasmussen of Negaunee, Mich., practices the ski jump before the 1952 Winter Olympics at Holmenkollen, Norway. Skiing quite possibly is the oldest sport known to man. (Picture a clever caveman tying some old mastodon ribs to his feet and scooting around the mountains.) Since the dawn of history, northern Europeans have looked on skiing … Continue Reading →
Lolich was one of the finest left-handed pitchers in history, but was overshadowed during the regular season in 1968 by teammate Denny McLain, who won 31 games. To Detroiters, Tiger pitcher Mickey Lolich was more than just a baseball star. He didn’t act like a big shot superstar, he was one of us. “There was … Continue Reading →
In 1905, Frish’s Tigers were the champions of Detroit’s Olympia Bowling League. Standing, from left, are Harry Beaton, John Frish, and Joseph Yergel. Seated, from left, Winfield Ramsey, Joseph Bauer, and Joseph Brichta. The sport of bowling has been with us in one form or another since at least the Middle Ages and probably longer. … Continue Reading →
In the 1989 race, the crew of Kip Anderson’s and Ed Smyth’s Margaret Rintoul IV (right) sets their sights on Stripes. Years pass and the tales told over drinks at the yacht club bar become increasingly embellished. The waves in the storm grow to 20 feet, the winds rise to 50 knots and the boat … Continue Reading →
A 19-year-old Al Kaline sits on the bench with Tigers manager Fred Hutchinson in June of 1953 after signing a $35,000 contract to play for the Tigers. Former Detroit Tigers manager Billy Martin called him “Mr. Perfection.” Some of his fellow players called him “Big Al,” and to others he was known as “the Line”. … Continue Reading →
Three Tigers responsible for victory in the 1935 World Series celebrate in the clubhouse after the game. Goose Goslin, center, drove in Mickey Cochrane, left, with the winning run on a bloop single. At right is the winning pitcher, Tommy Bridges. It was the middle of the Great Depression and Detroit was particularly hard hit, … Continue Reading →