Just heard the news that Albert Pujols is leaving St. Louis to join the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Part of me doesn't mind sticking it to the Cards' since they throttled our Tigers in 2006. However, the traditionalist in me doesn't like to see an icon leave the place where he won 2 World Series championships and laid the foundation for a future Hall of Fame induction. I am glad Steve Yzerman never left or was traded (almost happened; remember Alexei Yahsin?), Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker retired as Tigers, and Cal Ripken stayed in Baltimore.
So since I am on the topic, here are the players in sports I do NOT want to see leave their current teams, like the player or not:
Tom Brady-No Patriots dynasty without him.
Ray Lewis-I think defense with the Ravens, and that means Ray Lewis.
Derek Jeter-Yankee for life.
Dirk Nowitzki-Ok, in truth I could care less about the NBA, but threw one in for my NBA friends.
Justin Verlander-Obviously. I wouldn't care if any other Tiger were gone. Even Cabrera.
Off to clean the house. I am sure there are more that I can't think of. Fill in the blanks for me.
Brian
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
You Want a College Football Playoff? Shut Up!
Every year around this time people start shouting from the hills about how a college football playoff system will make everything better. It isn't fair with the current setup. Too many teams don't get a fair shot at the BCS title game. While the system is far from perfect, my answer to you is: GET OVER IT.
Do you really want it to be like college basketball where nobody cares about the "big games" in the regular season? If your school loses a "big game" do they still have a great chance at making the tournament? Of course they do. That doesn't happens in college football. And be honest, come February how many of you are overly fired up about college hoops? Conference tournaments that are just money makers and dont' really prove anything either? You just want to skip ahead to March and fill out your bracket, you could care less about any regular season game.
Now look at the last 2 weeks of the college football season as a fan. No from your spot of trying to make everything perfect and fix college football. Oklahoma St. just lost a dramatic game in overtime to knock it from the BCS #2 spot. Alabama still has to play Auburn. LSU still has to play Arkansas. Oregon plays USC tonight. And don't forget 1 loss Oklahoma still has to play now 1 loss Oklahoma St. When did the end of the regular season mean this much in college basketball?
You can make every argument you want about a playoff. And you would be partially right. The BCS isn't perfect, but it gives the regular season meaning. You run the risk of demeaning Alabama vs. Arkansas, Michigan vs. Ohio State, etc. Just enjoy the drama that is unfolding here and stop clamoring for something else.
Do you really want it to be like college basketball where nobody cares about the "big games" in the regular season? If your school loses a "big game" do they still have a great chance at making the tournament? Of course they do. That doesn't happens in college football. And be honest, come February how many of you are overly fired up about college hoops? Conference tournaments that are just money makers and dont' really prove anything either? You just want to skip ahead to March and fill out your bracket, you could care less about any regular season game.
Now look at the last 2 weeks of the college football season as a fan. No from your spot of trying to make everything perfect and fix college football. Oklahoma St. just lost a dramatic game in overtime to knock it from the BCS #2 spot. Alabama still has to play Auburn. LSU still has to play Arkansas. Oregon plays USC tonight. And don't forget 1 loss Oklahoma still has to play now 1 loss Oklahoma St. When did the end of the regular season mean this much in college basketball?
You can make every argument you want about a playoff. And you would be partially right. The BCS isn't perfect, but it gives the regular season meaning. You run the risk of demeaning Alabama vs. Arkansas, Michigan vs. Ohio State, etc. Just enjoy the drama that is unfolding here and stop clamoring for something else.
Friday, November 4, 2011
A Lot to Talk About
Football season has finally ended for me (5-4 not a bad way to go out). Now I am experiencing some form of "Seasonal Depression." I love spending time with my girls but I find that as stressful as a season can be, I enjoy the rush of the competition everyday. But now I have time to catch up on my blog :)
1. First let's talk about the amazing season the Tigers just had. Baseball really is a game of inches, right? I mean who thought the Cardinals, who were left for dead 2 months ago, would win the World Series? So the Tigers really aren't that far off. Yes they could use a 2B. Yes they could get a little faster. Like all teams, they could use more bullpen depth (I don't freak out about the #5 starter as much as some fans. Name me one #5 starter who is really good anyway? If he was any good, he wouldn't be a #5). But they are really good, and really close. I don't expect much to happen this offseason from DD. The Tigers should bank on players like Boesch, Jackson, and Avila to continue their development, and if a tweak needs to be made then you do it at the trade deadline. Pitchers in catchers report in a mere 3 months.
2. Big Ten football is not really good compared to the rest of the country. Coming from someone who has won 8 games total in 2 years, I know how hard it is to win at whatever level of football it is (even if the media and fans don't). You're first Big Ten Championship game could feature Michigan, whose best win was over......Western Michigan? vs. Penn State, who beat Temple by a whopping 4 points. Again, it's not fair to criticize teams who are doing what they need to do to win. I just can't wait to hear the Michigan and Michigan State fans to start clamoring for "national respect." You don't deserve it.
3. The Lions' 6-2 start has everyone in the D fired up for a playoff run. Even their two losses, at home to Atlanta and San Francisco, aren't bad losses. They were competitive games vs. good football teams. With games against Green Bay (twice), at Chicago, at New Orleans, and the hated cross country trip to Oakland, fans can't expect the Lions to beat out the Pack for the NFC North title. Still, a 9 or 10 win season is not out of the question.
4. When the Red Wings started 5-0, I know we were all thinking "let's cruise control until the playoffs start." Happens every year. Now after they have lost 6 in a row, scorching their opponents for 6 goals during that span, does panic set in? I won't go that far. But it is very alarming.
Brian
1. First let's talk about the amazing season the Tigers just had. Baseball really is a game of inches, right? I mean who thought the Cardinals, who were left for dead 2 months ago, would win the World Series? So the Tigers really aren't that far off. Yes they could use a 2B. Yes they could get a little faster. Like all teams, they could use more bullpen depth (I don't freak out about the #5 starter as much as some fans. Name me one #5 starter who is really good anyway? If he was any good, he wouldn't be a #5). But they are really good, and really close. I don't expect much to happen this offseason from DD. The Tigers should bank on players like Boesch, Jackson, and Avila to continue their development, and if a tweak needs to be made then you do it at the trade deadline. Pitchers in catchers report in a mere 3 months.
2. Big Ten football is not really good compared to the rest of the country. Coming from someone who has won 8 games total in 2 years, I know how hard it is to win at whatever level of football it is (even if the media and fans don't). You're first Big Ten Championship game could feature Michigan, whose best win was over......Western Michigan? vs. Penn State, who beat Temple by a whopping 4 points. Again, it's not fair to criticize teams who are doing what they need to do to win. I just can't wait to hear the Michigan and Michigan State fans to start clamoring for "national respect." You don't deserve it.
3. The Lions' 6-2 start has everyone in the D fired up for a playoff run. Even their two losses, at home to Atlanta and San Francisco, aren't bad losses. They were competitive games vs. good football teams. With games against Green Bay (twice), at Chicago, at New Orleans, and the hated cross country trip to Oakland, fans can't expect the Lions to beat out the Pack for the NFC North title. Still, a 9 or 10 win season is not out of the question.
4. When the Red Wings started 5-0, I know we were all thinking "let's cruise control until the playoffs start." Happens every year. Now after they have lost 6 in a row, scorching their opponents for 6 goals during that span, does panic set in? I won't go that far. But it is very alarming.
Brian
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
7 on 7's and Greatest Sports Memories
Christian Davis of the C & G Newspapers just wrote a pretty neat article about summer passing leagues. As this is my 2nd year as a head coach going through it, I can honestly say I hate them.
I can't stand dealing with coaches who are putting in things they will not do in the regular season. True, they may just be trying some things out before deciding to install them in practice. But I believe the majority of them don't do it that way.
Case in point, we threw last night against two other schools. One did everything they would do during the season, no brainer. The other school did not. The school is in Pro I often during the year according to my friend on the staff. So why were they in Ace Gun last night? Who knows.
The other problem I had with them is when they were on defense. They kept ZERO LB's in the box. None. Now if you play that way in a game fine, but I doubt it. What team wouldn't run the ball there? They played that way knowing they wouldn't play it like that during the season. How does that make there kids better? Pisses me off.
Lastly, give me your top 3 best sports memories. It could be watching it on TV, in person, etc. Mine are:
1. 2006 ALCS Maggs walk off homer to go to WS. In person.
2. 1997 Red Wings Stanley Cup championship. Non in person.
3. 1999 Michigan State football game at Notre Dame. Great place to see a game.
Brian
I can't stand dealing with coaches who are putting in things they will not do in the regular season. True, they may just be trying some things out before deciding to install them in practice. But I believe the majority of them don't do it that way.
Case in point, we threw last night against two other schools. One did everything they would do during the season, no brainer. The other school did not. The school is in Pro I often during the year according to my friend on the staff. So why were they in Ace Gun last night? Who knows.
The other problem I had with them is when they were on defense. They kept ZERO LB's in the box. None. Now if you play that way in a game fine, but I doubt it. What team wouldn't run the ball there? They played that way knowing they wouldn't play it like that during the season. How does that make there kids better? Pisses me off.
Lastly, give me your top 3 best sports memories. It could be watching it on TV, in person, etc. Mine are:
1. 2006 ALCS Maggs walk off homer to go to WS. In person.
2. 1997 Red Wings Stanley Cup championship. Non in person.
3. 1999 Michigan State football game at Notre Dame. Great place to see a game.
Brian
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Mount Rushmore of Detroit Sports
I was watching the Dan Patrick show yesterday, and they were talking about the Yankees "Mt. Rushmore" of players since Derek Jeter just got hit number 3000. The discussion centered around Jeter being included with Ruth, Gherig, Mantel, Dimaggio, etc. Jeter is the only player in Yankees history (hard to believe) to have 3000 hits.
So it got me thinking about our Detroit sports teams. Who would be on the Detroit "Mt. Rushmore" for the Pistons, Lions, Red Wings, and Tigers? I will even include, MSU and UM football and basketball. Here is my best guess. And feel free to tear it up too.
Lions: Barry Sanders, Bobby Layne, Joe Schmidt, Doak Walker. Honorable mention: Herman Moore, Chris Spielman, Jason Hanson, Mel Gray, Bennie Blades
Pistons: Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bob Lanier, Ben Wallace. Honorable mention: Dave Bing, Chauncey Billips, Grant Hill, Bill Laimbeer.
Red Wings: Steve Yzerman, Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Nick Lidstrom. Honorable mention: Terry Sawchuck, Sergei Federov, Chris Osgood.
Tigers: Al Kaline, Ty Cobb, Hank Greenberg, Alan Trammel. Honorable mention: Kirk Gibson, Lou Whitaker, Mickey Lolich, Denny McLain, Willie Horton
MSU basketball: Magic Johnson, Steve Smith, Mateen Cleaves, Greg Kelser. Honorable mention: Scott Skiles, Morris Peterson, Jason Richardson
MSU football: Bubba Smith, Andre Rison, Lorenzo White, Percy Snow. Honorable mention: Mushin Muhammad, Derek Mason, Tony Banks, Tony Mandarich (that whole steroids thing)
UM basketball: Cazzie Russell, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Glenn Rice Honorable mention: Terry Mills, Juwan Howard (hate him), Jamal Crawford
UM football: Tom Harmon, Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson, Tom Brady. Honorable mention: Jon Jansen (homer or not, career starts streak is awesome), Steve Hutchingson, Tripp Welbourne, Ty Wheatley
Who did I miss??? Brian
So it got me thinking about our Detroit sports teams. Who would be on the Detroit "Mt. Rushmore" for the Pistons, Lions, Red Wings, and Tigers? I will even include, MSU and UM football and basketball. Here is my best guess. And feel free to tear it up too.
Lions: Barry Sanders, Bobby Layne, Joe Schmidt, Doak Walker. Honorable mention: Herman Moore, Chris Spielman, Jason Hanson, Mel Gray, Bennie Blades
Pistons: Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bob Lanier, Ben Wallace. Honorable mention: Dave Bing, Chauncey Billips, Grant Hill, Bill Laimbeer.
Red Wings: Steve Yzerman, Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Nick Lidstrom. Honorable mention: Terry Sawchuck, Sergei Federov, Chris Osgood.
Tigers: Al Kaline, Ty Cobb, Hank Greenberg, Alan Trammel. Honorable mention: Kirk Gibson, Lou Whitaker, Mickey Lolich, Denny McLain, Willie Horton
MSU basketball: Magic Johnson, Steve Smith, Mateen Cleaves, Greg Kelser. Honorable mention: Scott Skiles, Morris Peterson, Jason Richardson
MSU football: Bubba Smith, Andre Rison, Lorenzo White, Percy Snow. Honorable mention: Mushin Muhammad, Derek Mason, Tony Banks, Tony Mandarich (that whole steroids thing)
UM basketball: Cazzie Russell, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Glenn Rice Honorable mention: Terry Mills, Juwan Howard (hate him), Jamal Crawford
UM football: Tom Harmon, Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson, Tom Brady. Honorable mention: Jon Jansen (homer or not, career starts streak is awesome), Steve Hutchingson, Tripp Welbourne, Ty Wheatley
Who did I miss??? Brian
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Tigers 2nd Half Collapse on the Horizon?
If you have ever talked to me, you know that I am a terrible baseball fan. I live and die with every game, which is something you can't do in this sport. Since they play so many games, a short stretch of games won't make or break a season. But this year has taken it to a new level of frustration for me.
In years past under GM Dumbrowski and Manager Leland, the I cut the team a lot of slack for their second half collapses. Injuries to Zumaya, Ordonez, Sheffield, etc. "It's just one of those weird baseball things" I said. I remember how bad things were before they got here too. But I am not drinking the Kool Aid this season.
Why? Look at the facts: They have a payroll over 100 million. No that doesn't guarantee success, it just raises expectations. The rest of the division is not what you would call scary. A banged up Twins team. A young Indians squad. A White Sox team that is playing below expectations and a God awful Royals outfit. They deserve to be criticized for not having a better record. So even though they are close to first place, they still are playing below expectations. Stick them in another division and they are nowhere near 1st place.
So why am I afraid for the 2nd half of the season? Let me give you my list:
-They are banking on Alex Avila to continue is 1st half success while manning the toughest position in baseball.
-They are hoping Jhonny Peralta still plays above his head.
-They are relying on injured veterans Guillen and Ordonez to provide some hitting.
-The pitching staff, minus Verlander, is average at best right now.
My one hope is that I have a hard time believing that this is the team that will finish the season as Detroit Tigers. I can't see Don Kelly being the answer at 3rd base. I can't see them risking the rest of the season with older, broken down players. DD and Leland are in the final years of their contracts. I remember at the trade deadline last season how dissapointed I was when nothing went down. This year, I am hoping they go all in on July, 31. Brian
In years past under GM Dumbrowski and Manager Leland, the I cut the team a lot of slack for their second half collapses. Injuries to Zumaya, Ordonez, Sheffield, etc. "It's just one of those weird baseball things" I said. I remember how bad things were before they got here too. But I am not drinking the Kool Aid this season.
Why? Look at the facts: They have a payroll over 100 million. No that doesn't guarantee success, it just raises expectations. The rest of the division is not what you would call scary. A banged up Twins team. A young Indians squad. A White Sox team that is playing below expectations and a God awful Royals outfit. They deserve to be criticized for not having a better record. So even though they are close to first place, they still are playing below expectations. Stick them in another division and they are nowhere near 1st place.
So why am I afraid for the 2nd half of the season? Let me give you my list:
-They are banking on Alex Avila to continue is 1st half success while manning the toughest position in baseball.
-They are hoping Jhonny Peralta still plays above his head.
-They are relying on injured veterans Guillen and Ordonez to provide some hitting.
-The pitching staff, minus Verlander, is average at best right now.
My one hope is that I have a hard time believing that this is the team that will finish the season as Detroit Tigers. I can't see Don Kelly being the answer at 3rd base. I can't see them risking the rest of the season with older, broken down players. DD and Leland are in the final years of their contracts. I remember at the trade deadline last season how dissapointed I was when nothing went down. This year, I am hoping they go all in on July, 31. Brian
Thursday, July 14, 2011
We're Back
Pete and I found a way to do it. Coach From the Stands is back. Talk to you soon!!!
Brian
Brian
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)