Jim Leyland was calm. He was measured. And he was clear: If there was another way to shake up his slumbering lineup, he’d do it. Leyland’s options are limited, as the Tigers’ hitters flail away, as Austin Jackson sits on the disabled list. Everyone obsesses about the lineup and Leyland does too, although he generally … Continue Reading →
Prepare to be transfixed every five days every summer for the rest of your lives. Well, OK, maybe Tigers star Justin Verlander doesn’t quite have that hold, but he’s getting close. My first reaction when Verlander lost his latest no-hit bid with one out in the ninth against the Pirates was this: Why wasn’t I … Continue Reading →
The Tigers think big, which isn’t necessarily bad. But part of the problem is, they’re thinking too big, too often. Their hitting has been a major disappointment, so far. Their record is mediocre, so far. Their inconsistencies are puzzling, so far. I suggest they stop pressing to fulfill their high-powered expectations in one week, or … Continue Reading →
In football, risk is expected and injury is accepted. That’s how it works, and every player knows it. In the NFL, they’re nicely compensated for it. But acceptance of risk is not the same as acceptance of “unlimited” risk. And that’s why the NFL is sitting at a dangerous crossroad now, as former players sue … Continue Reading →
Lions GM Martin Mayhew gambled without gambling Thursday night. He surely hoped a prime cornerback would fall to the 23rd spot, and he wasn’t willing to trade the assets to move up and grab one. Mayhew held firm, which was the no-gamble gamble, waiting to fill the team’s biggest hole, even as lots of teams … Continue Reading →
I’m sure Jim Leyland loves managing Justin Verlander. Who wouldn’t? He’s the best pitcher in baseball, equal parts supreme talent and dogged workhorse. But I’m also sure, at times, Leyland really, really frets while managing Verlander. Who wouldn’t? You want to use every ounce of his dominance, but not over-use it. You want to give … Continue Reading →
First of all, I don’t really believe in curses. You probably shouldn’t either, at least when it comes to sports. But the Lions are building yet another curiously compelling case. The purported Curse of Bobby Layne — the last great Lions quarterback — finally was shooed by Matthew Stafford, who threw for more than 5,000 … Continue Reading →
This is unorthodox, and probably a bit dumb. But I’m doing it anyway. I’m going to tie together the two biggest sports stories in America, if “America” is loosely defined as “New York and Detroit.” Tim Tebow arrived in New York as the Jets’ new backup quarterback with much fanfare and much skepticism. Brandon Inge … Continue Reading →
This already is a special NCAA Tournament, with two 15 seeds winning and then Lehigh nearly winning again. Yes, it’s smudged by the presence of four teams from the Buckeye state in the Sweet 16 — Ohio, Ohio, the other Ohio and the Ohio that starts with X. But no one has made a bigger … Continue Reading →
It’s here and it’s fun and it’s riveting and it’s full of real tears and broken dreams. The NCAA Tournament is always good, and this year, it should be better than ever around here. Michigan State and Michigan both enter as high seeds. Detroit is back where it belongs as a mid-major danger. While you … Continue Reading →