You know who Justin Verlander is? I mean, besides the dominant pitcher in baseball these days. Who does Verlander compare to in recent Detroit sports history? After careful consideration, this is who he’s becoming: Barry Sanders. Sanders was, arguably, the best running back in football, and on any given Sunday, he could do something for … Continue Reading →
You don’t make a splash just to make a splash. But as the baseball trade deadline and NFL free-agency collide in a gigantic, heaving rumor-fest, one thing is clear around here. The Tigers need to make a big move more than the Lions. I know that disappoints manic Lions fans who are sick of being … Continue Reading →
Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski has made his intentions very, very clear. He wants to trade for a starting pitcher before July 31, and there’s no reason to doubt his sincerity. After all, he also said he wanted a third baseman and went out and grabbed Wilson Betemit, and demoted Brandon Inge. So when rumors link … Continue Reading →
Regarding the Tigers, there are two things everyone loves to discuss. The lineup. And, why isn’t (random player) in it??! Hey, that’s baseball. And I think questions about the lineup are fair game, because there’s always a reason a player is out of it, or moved down in it. Jim Leyland also thinks the questions … Continue Reading →
Baseball’s All-Star Game remains the best, although that’s not saying much. And you certainly can’t say it as loudly as you once could. You knew the event was in trouble a few years ago when Bud Selig figured he had to add an incentive to garner interest, and conjured up the silly tag that the … Continue Reading →
Ah, time for a little (yes, little) mid-season break. You’ll have to do without my scribblings for a week or so while I exceed the government-recommended intake of cylindrical pork products. My grill is about to get abused. By the time I return, I expect the Pistons to have a new coach, the Red Wings … Continue Reading →
Justin Verlander will make the All-Star team. He probably should start the All-Star Game. He’s been the most-dominant pitcher in baseball this season. But as it stands now, he might not even pitch in the July 12 game in Arizona. And the Tigers and their fans should be fine with that. Barring rainouts or injuries, … Continue Reading →
For a moment, I weakened. I thought, hey, are we — media, fans, cranky grandmothers — being too hard on LeBron James for his childish, churlish NBA Finals collapse? I considered it for about eight seconds, then answered appropriately: Of course not. LeBron and his Miami buds deserve every ounce of ridicule. They get it … Continue Reading →
Was it worth it? That’s the question for Terrelle Pryor, the deposed Buckeye quarterback, done in college football because he couldn’t evade temptation as easily as he evaded tacklers. It’s also the question for Ohio State and Jim Tressel, the deposed coach done in college football because he couldn’t evade the temptation of Pryor’s talent. … Continue Reading →