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Opening Day Hopefulness

April 5, 2012

Opening day. Big expectations.

It is opening day in Detroit.  In every city, every team has hope on opening day.  Every team is 0-0.  There is something appropriate that opening day is near the beginning of spring. For some teams, this hope will fade in a few weeks. But not in Detroit.  Not this year.

The Tigers have a team that has the potential to be the best in baseball.

Much of the conversation in the past two months has been about the signing of Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera moving to third to accommodate Fielder’s arrival.   If both players excel as expected, this might be the most feared (by pitchers) three – four combination in baseball.  And while Fielder and Cabrera together can put a smile on Tiger faces, it is the rest of the lineup that really has me enthused. 

This team does have a few question marks.  Who will be the everyday second baseman?  Will Brandon Inge remain with the team? How will Drew Smyly do as the Tigers’ fifth starter? The Tigers have plenty of players who can play second and Inge might be the best fielder of them, but Jim Leyland has made it clear that all fielders need to hit.   The Tigers pitching is deep enough that if Smyly does not shine, others are ready to step in.

But from the top to bottom of the lineup, the Tigers have an impressive lineup.  The Tigers have Justin Verlander and Doug Fister as possibly the best one-two starting pitching combination around and if Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello get more consistent, the Tigers should hold teams at bay in the early innings. The relief pitching proved itself last season and with Phil Coke, Joaquin Benoit, and Jose Valverde back, the late innings could be equally tough for Tiger opponents.

So it is opening day and all teams have hope, but Tiger fans have real reasons for hope. Go Tigers!
 

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Red Wings Home Win Streak Reaches 23

February 19, 2012

The Detroit Red Wings home winning streak is now at 23 games after weekend wins against Nashville and San Jose.  The Wings beat Nashville 2-1 win on Friday. In an exciting finish, Pavel Datsyuk maneuvered his way through Predators’ defense and put a wrist shot into the net with just 5.8 seconds left in regulation to score the winning goal.  By winning it in regulation, the Wings increased their margin over Nashville to ten points.

Today’s 3-2 win over San Jose was on NBC.  The scoring started with a backhanded shot from Henrik Zetterberg, with goals added by Drew Miller and Darren Helm.  Joey MacDonald has been been very solid in net in place of the injured Jimmy Howard with a 1.61 goals against average.

As the Red Wings add to their record, the team is putting the record further beyond the reach of other hockey teams, much as Joe DiMaggio’s streak is to hitters. More importantly, the streak accounts for 46 of the 84 points that has them in first place in the NHL

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Red Wings Break the Record

February 14, 2012

The Detroit Red Wings have the longest home winning streak in NHL history! For a Red Wings fan, those are sweet words to write or say. The Red Wings tied the record against  Philadelphia  on Sunday and then broke the record tonight (Tuesday) with another solid performance against Dallas.  While the record is fun, the best part of winning both games is that the Red Wings have earned four more points as they compete for the best record in the NHL and home ice throughout the playoffs.

Wings fans have been anticipating this game as the streak has continued and tonight you could even feel the excitement through the TV set, if you weren’t fortunate enough to be part of the sellout crowd at the Joe.

The Wings have spoiled us over the years with so many wins, milestones, and Stanley Cups.  I can say on behalf of Detroit Red Wings fans everywhere that we would like to be spoiled more. While in recent years some have prognosticated an end to the Red Wings’ success, the Red Wings just keep winning. This year’s team wins by with consistent play and finding different ways to win.

After tonight’s game, the team acknowledged the fans from center ice, adding to the way the Wings  say Happy Valentine’s Day to their fans.

The Tiger sign Prince Fielder

January 25, 2012

The worst kept secret in town was made official - the Detroit Tigers have signed first baseman Prince Fielder to a nine year deal worth a reported $214 million.

Some fans and reporters are talking about this being the greatest signing in Detroit sports history. It could be.  Time will tell. While I like the signing, there have been many notable and important signings in Detroit sports. Rookie signings like Ty Cobb, Al Kaline, Barry Sanders, Steve Yzerman, Gordie Howe, and Isiah Thomas.  At Michigan, the signing of coaches comes to mind, like Don Canham signing coach Bo Schembechler or last year David Brandon signing coach Brady Hoke and then Hoke signing Greg Mattison. 

For free agent signings, the first big free agent signing in Tigers history was another first baseman, Darrell Evans, who helped the team win the 1984 World Series.  Or Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, Magglio Ordonez, and Victor Martinez.  The point is Detroit teams have many big signings, but this one could be fun. 

Miguel Cabrera agreeing to move to third to make room for Fielder tells us a little about Cabrera’s desire to win. I don’t think Tigers’ owner Mike Illitch would have agreed to the signing unless he and Tigers’ President Dave Dombrowski felt that the Tigers have a special team capable of winning it all.

The void created with Victor Martinez out for part or probably all of this season, the Tigers could have tried to fill in with one of their many talented young players, but it is not fair to have any young player try to fill Victor’s shoes. The Tigers had a strong team before signing Fielder, but with Fielder they will have a formidable lineup.  A lineup that includes Cabrera, Fielder, Brennan Boesch, Alex Avila, Delmon Young, and Jhonny Peralta among others is tough enough. When Victor returns, the lineup could become scary to opposing pitchers. 

And it is not just the Tigers lineup that has given Tiger fans high hopes. The Tigers also potentially could have the best pitching staff in the league, anchored by AL Cy Young and MVP Justin Verlander and Doug Fister possibly comprising the best one-two starting combo around. With Phil Coke, Joaquin Benoit, and Jose Valverde in the bullpen, it is a matter of whether the other starters can gain some consistency.

Yes, the Fielder signing is a big deal, but he is an addition to an already talented team that won the AL Central in 2011 and has positioned themselves as the team to beat. It could be a fun summer for in downtown Detroit.  Welcome back to Detroit, Prince Fielder!

Michigan Wins Third Straight Over Rival

January 17, 2012

Michigan’s basketball beat the team from Ingham County for the third straight time, 60-59. The game was every bit as close as the score indicates.   Other than Tom Izzo’s constant whining to the officials, both schools can be proud of how their teams played.

But Michigan won bragging rights.  At least for 19 days. By the time two teams play on February 5, it will be exactly 700 days since that agricultural school has beaten Michigan in men’s basketball.   Ok, I thought it was silly when we heard that kind of count from the other side and it still is.   What it comes down to is that Michigan has beaten the Ingham team three straight times.

When the season started, Michigan fans were concerned about losing Darius Morris to the NBA. How would Coach Beilein replace last year’s point guard who was just coming into his own?  Trey Burke has not only filled Morris’ shoes, but his shooting and playmaking ability have been a major part of Michigan’s success this year.  In this game, his defensive abilities made a difference, including causing an over and back in the 2nd half. 

But Burke did not do it all by himself.  Tim Hardaway Jr. took two charges. Stu Douglass made a four-point play at the end of the first half and scored the winning bucket.  And together the team came up with the clutch defense, particularly in the final minute of play.

So Michigan basketball fans can be happy that the team has overcome the Ingham hurdle; The next step in this team’s proving itself is to beat the team from south of the (Michigan) border, who has won the past three games.

The Year in Detroit Sports

December 30, 2011

What a great year in Detroit sports! As I kick off my newest site, I am happy to say that we had much to cheer about in Michigan this year.

While the year started with the Michigan football team being blown out in their bowl game, things quickly improved when with the dismissal of the Michigan coach who just never understood Michigan or the level of excellence that is expected. Michigan not only has the best record in college football history (both by wins and winning percentage), but also has the greatest traditions and rivalries.

Athletic director David Brandon did a great job of conducting his search for the new coach and hired Brady Hoke to follow in the footsteps of Yost, Crisler, and Schembechler.  He ‘gets’ Michigan and understands the toughness it takes to compete in the Big Ten and for a national title. From the beginning, his focus has been on the students, the team, and Michigan. While Brandon made the best coaching hire in college football during the offseason, Hoke made the next best hire in bringing in Greg Mattison as the team’s new defensive coordinator.  Michigan’s football team developed throughout the season, from a wild comeback against Notre Dame to a rousing victory of Ohio State.  Michigan is becoming a team that Michigan’s students, alumni, and fans can be cheer for with pride.

Ho hum.  Another year, another playoff appearance. The Detroit Red Wings made the playoffs for the 20th straight year.  After San Jose took a 3-0 lead in the second round of the playoffs before the Wings came roaring back to tie up the series 3-3.  Though the Sharks finally took the series, the Wings showed guts with their never say die approach. Nick Lidstrom won his 7th Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman.  When the season was over, Wings fans said good bye to the retiring Chris Osgood, Kris Draper, and Brian Rafalski. But with a solid nucleus that includes Pavel Datzyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Lidstrom, the team has started the 2011-2012 near the top of the league once again.

The Detroit Tigers won 95 games to win the American League Central Division title, then beat the New York Yankees in the ALDS, before losing the Rangers in the ALCS. Justin Verlander had his best season so far, winning the AL pitching triple crown (wins, ERA, and strikeouts), leading to winning AL Cy Young and MVP awards.  Miguel Cabrera continued to be a dominant hitter and as a result won the American League batting title.  With the arrival of starting pitcher Doug Fister and the emergence of some good young players like Alex Avila, Brennan Boesch, and others, plus a relief staff anchored by closer Jose Valvarde, the Tigers are poised to make another run in 2012.

Michigan hockey won the 2010 Great Lakes Invitational, the regular season CCHA Championship and made it into the NCAA tournament for the 21st straight season. The Wolverines made it all the way to the National Championship game before losing to Minnesota-Duluth in overtime. This year’s season has been up and down, with a tough November but a recent upsurge, including victories over Boston College and the Ingham County school to win the 2011 Great Lakes Invitational.

Michigan basketball enjoyed a 2010-11 season that included two wins over its the Ingham County school and a return to the NCAA tournament.  This year’s team is off to an 11-2 record and has improved throughout the early season.

The Detroit Lions have had their best season since the Wayne Fontes era. Building from obscurity three seasons ago, Martin Mayhew took over as the general manager of the Lions and began building a winning team.  He started by trading away Roy Williams for a draft pick that resulted in the arrival tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who has been a major contributor both in blocking and receiving this season.  Mr. Mayhew also hired head coach Jim Schwartz, who has surrounding himself with talented and experienced coaches, as well as he has changed the attitude of team. Mayhew has also drafted wisely, picking up defensive tackle  Ndamukong Suh and quarterback Matthew Stafford with first round picks in addition to getting talented players with lower draft picks, then added in a few veterans such as wide receiver Nate Burleson and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch.

The result is that the Lions are 10-5 with one game left and are in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.  As with most teams, the Lions have had their ups and downs this season. In recent games, they seem to have finally overcome their early knack for taking penalties that hurt them, especially since Dominic Raiola’s tirade. In last Saturday’s dominant win over San Diego, the Lions were only penalized three times. The Lions seem to be peaking at the right time.

While wide receiver Calvin Johnson was the only Lion picked as a starter for the Pro Bowl, the Lions have many players that I expect will be selected in the future. Even more, with this team’s youth, the Lions are building a winner.

The one team that did not give Michiganians a season to cheer about were the Detroit Pistons.  With melodrama that went along with the Pistons on and off the court last season, the Pistons were a worse team than they could have been.  But with new owner Tom Gores and new coach Lawrence Franks, the Pistons are hopefully moving in a better direction.  I cannot imagine that Mr. Gores bought the team with any other intention other than winning championships.

Last, but certainly not least, the Wayne State Warriors’ football team gave us their best season ever, making it all the way to the national title game.  After being snubbed by the NCAA Division II playoff committee in 2010, the Warriors did not expect to get into the playoffs after posting a regular season record of 8-3. But the playoff committee showed wisdom in including Wayne State in the playoffs and awarded the lowest seed in their region, meaning that all of the Warriors’ games would be on the road. 

The Road Warriors made a Cinderella run that included wins over the defending Divison II champions from Minnesota-Duluth and the last unbeaten team from Winstom-Salem State before falling in the finals to Pittsburg State. Coach Paul Winters took over a team eight years ago that lingered in mediocrity but has built Wayne State into a program that should be great for years to come. 

The week following the national championship game, Coach Winters turned down at least one offer to jump to a Division I school and signed a contract extension to stay at Wayne State.  Thank you to Coach Winters and the Wayne State Warriors for a fun football season!  We will be cheering for you next year!

The Launch of My Michigan Teams

My Michigan Teams is a brand new site devoted to sports teams in the state of Michigan! As it evolves, it will include features on the Michigan Wolverines, the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Lions, and Detroit Pistons, the Wayne State Warriors, and occasionally the Grand Rapids Griffins and White Caps, the Toledo Mud Hens, and Michigan's MAC teams.  All that you will find here about teams from south of the (Michigan) border or schools with an agricultural beginning will be in how they relate to the teams covered in this web page. 

No claim is made to impartiality.  This is a site by a fan who cheers for his favorite teams in a way that I hope would make Bob Ufer proud and that you will find interesting. Much more will be added in the near future, so be sure to bookmark this page and come back often. For your convenience, there are links to the official sites for all of My Michigan Teams on right side of the page and to the internal sites that are in development on the left side.

Happy New Year and welcome to My Michigan Teams!

[My Michigan Teams] [Michigan] [Wayne State] [Detroit Red Wings] [Detroit Tigers] [Detroit Lions] [Detroit Pistons] [Contact]

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