Football fans angry over bottled water ban at Michigan Stadium this fall

The entry was enough to make Don Ulisse read the letter multiple times.

Each time, it was there.

According to the letter accompanying his Michigan football season tickets, Wolverines fans will be prohibited from bringing bottled water into Michigan Stadium this fall.

“I thought it was a mistake, so I called to check,” he said. “The lady who answered the phone said it wasn’t. She said they had been getting a lot of calls on it.”

Starting with the season opener against UConn on Sept. 4, bottled water is banned, university officials confirmed. They said the policy was enacted for a variety of reasons and free water will be inside for the 100,000-plus fans attending each game.

“I understand why they are doing it,” Ulisse said. “They just spent all that money on the stadium. I’m sure they want to get some money back from the concession stands.”

That’s not the case, said athletic department spokesman Bruce Madej.

He said the ban is being implemented to speed the process of getting fans through gates and into the stadium. In years past, workers checked to make sure every bottle was sealed.

He said “many” football stadiums across the country have similar rules. Madej said the university is not looking to make money off the change.

Recent stadium renovations have added water fountains around the concourses, although the number of additions was not immediately known.

In addition, free cups of water will be available at each concession stand. Madej said the number of concession stands has also been increased. He said wider aisles will allow for faster trips to the concession stands.

Ulisse isn’t buying it.

“The lines are going to be longer. Who’s going to miss half a quarter of football just so they can get a drink of water? It’s absurd.”

He feared the university opened itself up to a lawsuit if someone passed out on a hot day and claimed they weren’t able to get water.

Ulisse isn’t the only one raising concerns. Madej said the university has received a “number of emails” and calls complaining about the change.

“I understand why they prohibit a lot of the things they do,” said season-ticket holder Mary Erickson. “But I just don’t get this. I don’t see how it could be any kind of a security concern. I think they’re just trying to get you to stand in line at the concession stand in hopes that you’ll end up buying something else.

“I think some people won’t want to go there just for a cup of water. I worry that people will get dehydrated and have issues, especially during the first couple of games when it’s always still hot.”

Madej said the university also wants to make sure its fans have a good experience at the game, and that includes having access to water.

“We want everyone to be hydrated while they are at the game. There will be lots of water available.”

-by David Jesse from AnnArbor.com

Tigers make minor trade, trade Ramirez

The Tigers' big activity at the nonwaiver trade deadline was about as minor as they could get. Detroit traded outfielder Wilkin Ramirez to Atlanta for a player to be named later or cash.

The Tigers must choose the player or the cash by Nov. 20.

You may remember that the Tigers designated Ramirez for assignment on Wednesday to make room for Jhonny Peralta on the 40-man roster. Detroit had 10 days to try to trade him, but they got it done in three.

Thus, Ramirez went from the starting lineup in the Futures Game to the waiver wire to a new organization in less than three weeks. He entered Saturday with a .230 average between Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie, homering 19 times with 56 RBIs. He also has struck out 144 times in 400 plate appearances.

For all the ups and downs of Ramirez's career over seven minor-league seasons, he's still just 24 years old. A change of scenery could do him some good.

-Reported by Jason Beck on his Blog

Lions Open Camp

Time to go to work for the Lions, no more playing games.

Great job Clinton!!

Clinton 11-12 All-Stars win state softball title



A state title is hard to come by in most any sport but Clinton’s 11-12 Little League All-Star softball team picked one up on Thursday, July 22, in front of a home crowd.

Clinton’s girls defeated Western (District 9) 2-0 in the State Finals at Tate Park.

The day before, Clinton defeated visiting Constantine 9-7 to advance to the championship final.

The team is now representing the Central Region in the Regional Finals in Missouri. Clinton’s first game is scheduled for Saturday, July 31. The team was also scheduled to play on Sunday, Aug. 1, against Kansas and Monday, Aug. 2, against Nebraska.

This article was in the Tecumseh Herald

Tigers acquire Peralta from Indians

The Tigers acquire Johnny Peralta from the Cleveland Indians today for Minor League player Giovanni Soto. Johnny will most likely play 3rd base while Brandon Inge is on the DL and switch over to shortstop when Brandon comes back. This move shows us that the Tigers think they can still make the playoffs and are finding ways to keep going while 3 of their starters are on the DL. There could be more moves to come before Saturday. This trade while help the Tigers right now and also strengthen the team when everyone is healthy.

Adam Dunn to the Tigers?

With the Tigers only 2 games out of first place are they buyers or sellers? Do you think Adam Dunn is the would be a good addition to the Tigers? These are the questions fans and the Tiger front office are asking at this point. I think Adam Dunn would be a great addition to the Tigers to get us through the injury hump. With the recent injury to Magglio Adam could play right field until Maggs returns and then he could fill the role of a DH which he cannot do with the nationals. If the Tigers can stay in the hunt like they usually do it will be a very interesting September for the Tigers once the injured players are back.

Should Denard Robinson stay at quarterback?

Denard Robinson has a good chance of winning Michigan’s starting quarterback job this fall. He may even be the favorite.

But a 6-foot, 188-pound sprinter with questionable accuracy and imperfect mechanics, most think Robinson’s NFL future is at a different position like receiver, return specialist or defensive back.

Robinson has said time and again he wants to remain a quarterback, and he chose Michigan because coach Rich Rodriguez gave him the opportunity to play that position.

“Rich and his staff promised my kid something,” Art Taylor, Robinson’s former coach at Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High, said this week. “I have total respect because they allowed him to do it. It would have been very easy to move him, it really would. But in Rich’s offense it makes sense to have Denard there anyway.”

Robinson’s unique talents fit perfectly in Rodriguez’s spread offense. He’s explosive, has a powerful arm, and like Pat White, who Rodriguez won big with at West Virginia, is a nightmare to tackle in the open field.

But if Robinson, or anyone, is a position switch away from a potentially big payday, what responsibility does a college coach have to see to it that happens?

“I think your responsibility as a coach is to make sure a player does all he can within your program to have success as a college student-athlete,” Rodriguez said earlier this spring. “To graduate with a degree, to have success individually and for a team. Is it your job to get him to the NFL? It’s your job to help get him there, prepared for it. But he’s got to be good enough individually and you got to do a good enough job teaching him to get there.”

Asked specifically about Robinson, Rodriguez said: “You got to do what’s best for your program. Our first obligation is to win as many games and have as much success at the University of Michigan as you can. And when we recruit guys, we say we’re going to help you achieve your goals and dreams and all that, but you’re playing for the University of Michigan and what are you going to do for our program. This is what we’re going to do for you individually as an athlete and a person, and then hopefully you’ll do this for us.”

ESPN analyst Todd McShay said during a pre-draft conference call in January that he subscribed to a similar philosophy.

When critics panned Florida coach Urban Meyer for not properly preparing Tim Tebow for the NFL, McShay defended Meyer.

“It’s not Urban Meyer’s job,” McShay said. “It really isn’t. I keep going back to that because Urban Meyer’s job is to win games and the job of his staff is to win games at Florida, and they won a lot of games during (Tebow’s) four years there. They got him to win a Heisman Trophy and they put him in position to make a run at a career in the NFL. And everything that’s come around with it, with all the fame that he has, I think he’s in position to do a lot of things off the field that maybe he wouldn’t be able to do if he didn’t play at Florida.

“Unless Urban Meyer sat in (Tebow’s) living room one day and said in four years I’m going to do this, this, this and this, and one of those promises was to develop you as best I can for the NFL, I don’t have a problem with it. I’m assuming that he didn’t because at no point in time has Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer’s relationship ever waned, it seems.”

Despite some suggestions he’d move to tight end or H-back in the NFL, Tebow was drafted in the first round as a quarterback by the Denver Broncos, No. 25 overall.

Taylor said Robinson believes he can reach the NFL as a quarterback, too, and Robinson showed remarkable improvement this spring. As a true freshman backup last year, he completed just 14-of-31 passes with four interceptions.

“Here’s the thing, Denard knows and we’ve told (him) as high-school coaches, ‘Denard, in the long run, you might be in the NFL a great defensive back, a great wide receiver,’” Taylor said. “In Denard’s mind - and this is what you want - Denard thinks he can play quarterback in the NFL, and you know what, who knows?

“I don’t know how much the NFL will change in the next two years. But I do know one thing, I do know Denard can play in the NFL at the receiver position or at the defensive-back position. I know that for sure. The kid’s just too explosive.”

Robinson and Tate Forcier, who started all 12 games last year, are expected to battle for the No. 1 quarterback job into fall camp.

Rodriguez has said Robinson will be on the field somewhere if he’s not the starter, but there are no plans for Robinson to change positions, now or in the foreseeable future.

Taylor said that’s the right approach, no matter how it impacts Robinson’s NFL prospects.

“Can Denard play receiver? Can he play defensive back? Hell, yeah he can,” Taylor said. “But that’s not Rich’s job. His job is to win. If you don’t win, like all of us, we get fired.

“Denard can play at that next level, and I think the NFL has always done that. The NFL will take people and move them to different positions, just like colleges do. But Rich promised him a chance to play quarterback and I think it’s the right position right now, especially for that offense.”

By Dave Birkett from AnnArbor.com

Vote for your favorite SeaWolve

Inge out 4-6 weeks with fracture in left hand

The Tigers lost a key cog in their division-title hopes Monday, when Brandon Inge suffered a fractured bone in his left hand that is expected to sideline him for 4-6 weeks.

Inge was batting in the third inning with two men on base and two outs when Scott Feldman's 1-1 fastball rode up and in on him. Inge shook off the injury and remained in the game for the fourth inning before Don Kelly replaced him at third base for the top of the fifth.

X-rays taken on Inge revealed what the Tigers called a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal -- essentially a fractured bone near the base of Inge's pinky finger.

It's a potentially big blow to a Tigers ballclub trying to stay close in the three-way race atop the American League Central. Inge tripled and scored in the second inning to raise his average to .263 with six home runs and 40 RBIs. His defense, meanwhile, has been a big part of the Tigers' infield since he regained his starting job at third near the end of 2008.

Inge was an All-Star last season, but struggled over the final three months with meniscus microtears in both of his knees. He underwent double knee surgery last November and made it back in time for Opening Day, but only in the last month or so have his legs finally felt around full strength.

The Tigers don't have an obvious replacement at the hot corner in the farm system. Most likely, the duties will fall on Kelly and Ryan Raburn, utility men who can count third base among the many positions they can handle. Kelly bats left-handed, while Raburn is a right-handed hitter.

By Jason Beck / MLB.com from DetroitTigers.com

So called Tigers Fans

I love how people throw the Manager and the Team under the Bus when they lose 3 in a row. Here is what some people are saying about the Tigers and Jim Leyland....

"Fire Jim Leyland the Detroit Tigers will never win with him in charge. Only thing that old fuck cares about is smoking and stuffing his sunk in face after the games. Nothing is a big deal to that ash tray breath. Most overrated manager in MLB history!!!!!!!!!"

"too bad leyland didnt get hit...or did he with the decisions he made for this sorry ass lineup today. I love this team and it pains me to see how leyland "rests" players. Thats why the collapse every year and will again this year unless he quits like in Colorado."

Baseball has ups and downs and I will be there with the Tigers throughout them all. Baseball is a tough sport, you have to hit a round ball with a round bat and you go ahead and try to hit a 95 MPH fastball. Baseball is one of the only things in life where if you get 1 out of 3 at the plate, your a hero. Try getting out of 1st grade with 1 out of 3 right.

-Michigan Sports Guy

Lambeau interested in Big Ten title game

Big Ten football could be coming to the frozen tundra.

Lambeau Field is the latest venue to express interest in hosting a potential Big Ten football championship game. Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy told ESPN.com on Thursday that the team already has contacted the Big Ten office to express its interest.

After adding Nebraska as its 12th team in June, the Big Ten is now eligible to hold a football championship game. A decision on scheduling a title game could be finalized Aug. 2-3 when Big Ten officials and athletic directors meet in Chicago.

"We'd be very interested," Murphy said. "The Big Ten has got such history and tradition, and to have a championship in Lambeau Field would be tremendous. It'd be good for our community and good for college football to have it in such a historic venue."


Several other Midwest facilities have expressed interest in hosting a potential Big Ten championship, including Detroit's Ford Field, Chicago's Soldier Field and Cleveland Browns Stadium. Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium is also considered a strong candidate.

Murphy, who served as athletic director at Northwestern before joining the Packers, anticipates a formal bidding process to begin if the league decides it will have a championship game beginning in 2011.

Weather could factor into the Big Ten's decision for a championship game site, as leagues like the SEC and Big 12 usually hold their football championship games at indoor facilities.

"Early December, that's balmy in Green Bay," Murphy joked. "To me, that's part of the attraction of college football, to play in the elements. We're going to have a Super Bowl in New York in February, so it's not that much different."

Lambeau Field last hosted college football in 1982-83, when St. Norbert College hosted Fordham, the alma mater of legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi.

By Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.com, taken from ESPN.com

Modano a Wing?

Detroit coach Mike Babcock firmly believes it's only a matter of time before Mike Modano signs with the Red Wings.

Modano, an unrestricted free agent, is reportedly being courted by the Red Wings, Minnesota and San Jose, but Babcock met with him in Detroit earlier in the week and the vibe he got suggests that the former Dallas Stars great is intrigued by the idea of going home to Michigan.

Modano was born in Livonia, Mich., which is only a short drive from Joe Louis Arena.

"This is a no brainer for Mike Modano -- the highest scoring American player of all time to come back to your hometown, play in Hockeytown," Babcock told NHL.com Friday. "It's not about the cash, it's about the legacy and the fit. He'll fit and he'll be excited to play. I look forward to him signing. I think that's inevitable. I think that's what is going to happen."

Babcock, of course, was smart enough to leave himself an out, just in case.


"I think this is all going to work out; I'm pretty certain of that for us, but I've been around before and if you would have told me Jiri Hudler was leaving for Russia, I wouldn't have believed it," he said. "I've been wrong. Some people think I have the market cornered on being wrong."

Babcock, though, thinks he's got this one right. Yet, he doesn't want to get in Modano's way either. Since his meeting with Modano earlier in the week he has sent him a text message, but otherwise has left him be to make his decision on his own.

He doesn't expect Modano to decide until Aug. 1 -- at the earliest.

"These veteran players, why would they be in a hurry? Why not see how your body feels?" Babcock said. "There is no question Mike plays physically, but does he want to go through the grind again. In Detroit, it won't be a grind if we've got all of our players. We'll get 100 points and you'll get the puck on your tape."


Babcock not only believes that Modano will play one season in Detroit, but he thinks he'll re-up for a second, too.

"I think we're a good fit for him and I think he knows it," Babcock said. "I know the veteran players we have dealt with over the years, so I'm a big believer if Mike Modano comes to Detroit he won't be here for one year, he'll play for two."

Babcock's plan is to place Modano in the middle of Dan Cleary and Jiri Hudler to give Detroit one of the most talented third lines in the NHL. Babcock envisions playing Pavel Datsyuk with Henrik Zetterberg on the top line, so Valtteri Filppula will be the second-line center.

"We want him to be thrilled to be a Red Wing. We are big believers in that," Babcock said. "We believe we have a good shot (to win the Stanley Cup), and we believe he'll give us a better shot."

As much as Babcock believes Modano to Detroit is a sure thing, he also believes the Wings will have a bounce-back season. They finished fifth in the Western Conference with 102 points despite significant injuries to key players such as Johan Franzen, Cleary, Filppula and defenseman Niklas Kronwall.


"Chicago's going to be thinner as we all know and I think we're going to be better," Babcock said. "I like what has happened for the Red Wings as far as the dispersal of talent goes in the Western Conference."

Hudler is a key addition. He left after the 2008-09 season for the KHL, but returned after one season in Russia and is under contract for another two seasons. Hudler had career-highs in goals (23), assists (34), points (57), games played (82), shots (155) and power play goals (6) in '08-09.

"That's 70 points guaranteed and the power play becomes unreal," Babcock said. "He's as good as they come with the puck. It's good that he's back and we want to have him. He's thrilled to be back. He's had an experience and now we're happy to have him back."

By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Staff Writer from www.DetroitRedwings.com

Summer Time is Grilling Time

From half-back to baby-back, former Giants halfback Charles Way, now director of the team’s player development, is proving that he knows his way around more things than the football field. Considering the recent news of wines produced by former Eagles’ coach Dick Vermeil, Packers corner back Charles Woodson, and now the Jets Uncorked Cabernet Sauvignon, this trend of football players turning to the vineyard is one worth telling!

Charles has demonstrated that he can tackle tough opponents. Now watch him TACKLE THE GRILL this summer, as he serves as a celebrity judge for the St. Francis TURN UP THE HEAT summer grilling competition. As Charles will tell you, in order to perform at your best, you need the right fuel. Watch this summer as he joins Elizabeth Karmel to offer you tips to score a touchdown both on the field and in the kitchen.

Submit a 3-minute or less video of you grilling your most flavorful recipe paired with a St. Francis wine. The winner will receive a VIP trip for two to Sonoma to meet with St. Francis’ winemaker and most of all, time away from home to relax! So follow Charles's example and trade your jersey for an apron, your helmet for a chef’s hat, and GET GRILLIN'!

Click here to Enter Contest





Here is an example recipe from the book.

Salt-Crusted Shrimp with Potent Lemon-Garlic Dipping Sauce

PAIRING TIP: Try St. Francis Winery & Vineyards full-bodied Chardonnay with its ripe-fruit flavors, crisp high acid on the palate and rich lingering finish
Grilling Method: Direct/Medium Heat

Dipping Sauce:
½ cup best-quality extra-virgin olive oil
Juice from 1 large lemon
Zest from ½ lemon
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 stems fresh oregano
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Shrimp:
16 Jumbo or Colossal shrimp in the shell (or frozen black tiger shrimp)
3 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup Kosher salt

Make the Dipping Sauce: Whisk together the oil and lemon. Stir in the garlic. Take the leaves off the oregano stems and leave whole, add to oil mixture. Let sit for at least 20 to 30 minutes to marry the flavors—or make up to 12 hours in advance. Set aside.

If desired, devein the shrimp with a “shrimp deveiner” or, using a small sharp knife, make a slit about ¼-inch deep down the backs of the shrimp and remove the vein but do not remove the shells. Place the shrimp in a large bowl and toss with the olive oil to coat lightly all over. Just before putting on the grill, sprinkle the salt evenly over the shrimp and toss well to make sure each shrimp is thoroughly coated in a crust of salt.

Place the shrimp in the center of the cooking grate, 3 to 4 minutes per side or until the shrimp is pink and the flesh is opaque (white). Serve immediately with dipping sauce.

Serving Tip: This is my favorite party “ice breaker” appetizer. I place the oil-tossed shrimp in a bowl on a tray with a small bowl of the kosher salt, my tongs, lots of napkins, a platter and the prepared dipping sauce. Once everyone is armed with a cocktail, we hit the deck to start the party. While we are talking, I toss the shrimp in the salt, grill them and place them on the platter. Then the fun begins; everyone takes a shrimp, peels and dips it in the sauce for a fun, casual and interactive appetizer! By the time the shrimp, and our cocktails are gone we are either fast friends or better friends! Alternatively, you can arrange 4 shrimp on each serving plate and accompany with a small ramekin of the dipping sauce but the girls think serving them hot off the grill is sooo much more fun!



Top 10 Grilling Dos and Don’ts

• Know the cooking methods: direct and indirect
• Do not peek under the lid; every time you lift the lid, heat escapes and the cooking time increases.
• Do not add flammable liquid to the fire; this means, no lighter fluid. Use either crumbled newspaper or fire starter cubes.
• Remember to keep the air vents open, otherwise the fire will go out.
• Make sure charcoal briquettes are grey-ashed before cooking.
• Do not flip more food more than once unless a recipe specifically requires it.
• Do not move or turn meat with a fork; this lets all the yummy juices and flavor escape.
• Control flare-ups with a closed lid, NOT a spray bottle filled with water.
• Use an instant-read meat thermometer. The only fail-safe way to test for doneness. The thermometer reads the internal temperature of meat and poultry in a matter of seconds.
• Know the Grilling Trilogy

Cabrera lives up to promise to 'go deep'

If the State Farm Home Run Derby was on quality rather than quantity, Miguel Cabrera might have won. As it was, he had the distance, but didn't have enough of them.

His 12 home runs averaged farther than any of the other seven competitors, but he didn't have enough of them to beat out eventual champion David Ortiz and runner-up Hanley Ramirez. Cabrera finished fourth, eliminated in the semifinals.

He came in wanting to win, but came out happy that he at least entertained.

"It was fun, you know," he said afterward. "It was a good show. I had fun out there. You know, I did what I meant, hit like BP home runs and put up a good show and try to have fun."

It wasn't a victorious outing for Cabrera, a .304 career hitter at Angel Stadium with five home runs in 16 regular-season games. But it was true to his homer-to-all-fields approach.

"My game plan is go deep," he said Monday morning before the Derby. "Left field, right field, center field, everywhere."

He hit up to his word, sprayed home runs all over the field and showing the opposite-field power that teammate Justin Verlander called unmatched in the game today.


After pulling his first two homers of the competition to left field, including one off the top of the fence and out, Cabrera launched a shot to straightaway center that landed almost halfway up the tarp. His next pitch from Tigers bullpen catcher Scott Pickens landed midway up the left-field seats, an estimated 469-foot drive.

Cabrera hit two drives off the rocks in left-center field -- one of them a 476-foot shot around the waterfall in the opening round, the other a 474-foot drive in the second round. He also deposited a ball into the tunnel just to the left of the rocks, 449 feet out.

His longest shot, however, was his opposite-field drive in the second round, one of three he hit to right field. He barely missed the "Hit It Here" sign on the tarp in right-center, landing one section to the right, but his 485-foot shot still had the crowd in awe.

"I hit a couple in right, which is what I wanted," Cabrera said. "I got like two or three lazy fly balls. It was good. It was like my [regular] swing right there. I don't mess around with my swing too much. That's the big thing. Get your swing right, put on a good swing."

After waiting for the rest of the eight-man field to take their opening cuts, Cabrera hit seven home runs. That advanced him out of the opening round, but dropped him well behind first-round leader Corey Hart with 13, Ramirez with nine and Ortiz with eight.

Once Ortiz led off the second round with 13 homers, Cabrera was in trouble, because first-round totals carry over to the second. He needed six in the semifinals to give himself a chance, and ended up with five. Ramirez's 12-homer outburst made it moot.

The wait to hit in the opening round, he said, made no difference.

"It was tougher in the second round, because you get cold," he said. "Like Hart, he got 13 home runs in the first round and he didn't get anything in the second because he got cold and he didn't have rhythm. But out there, it was OK [for me], because I was like normal."

Still, he could take some pride on distance. His 12 homers averaged 450 feet, topping the field. The 485-foot opposite-field launch was the second-longest homer hit in the Derby, pulled or otherwise, trailing only Matt Holliday's 497-foot drive in the opening round.

By Jason Beck from www.DetroitTigers.com

A Night To Remember

The All Star break is always an exciting time in baseball especially when you get to cheer for your favorite players. For me, it is very exciting to be able to watch Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera and Jose Valverde take the field this year in the 2010 MLB All-Star game. In baseball though, we have a rare situation where the Home Run Derby is arguably more entertaining than the All-Star game. This year we might be able to see the eyes of the rest of the country opened up to one of our hidden secrets in Detroit. This is going to be a rare opportunity for all of us because batting practice in Detroit is usually closed to the public. Dave Dombrowski believes that it is distracting to the players to have the fans around for their batting practice. After hearing the words that Miguel spoke about taking batting practice on the road, I now believe this to be true. If Miguel Cabrera is smashing homeruns on the road because of an audience then I can only imagine the batting practice homeruns he would hit with an audience at home. Luckily for Dave Dombrowski, Miguel Cabrera cannot see the faces of the fans peeking through the green bars in the fence outside of Comerica. Although no one is allowed in the stadium during the batting practice, we have found our one or two spots where we can still catch a glimpse of our home stars taking BP.


Detroit is only a half game out of first place in the Central Division in a race that will always change hands between the Tigers, Twins and White Sox. Miguel Cabrera is only 2 Homeruns away from being in place to be a Triple Crown winner. This is one of those rare feats in baseball that is even rarer than the perfect game Armando Galarraga was denied this year. The exclusive crown has had only 16 winners and has had players like Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and Lou Gehrig. Miguel Cabrera would only be the second Tigers to with this award with the other being Ty Cobb back in 1909.


Miguel Cabrera is already talked about in the National league like Albert Pujols is talked about in the American league and after tonight we might get some people in the American league talking about him too. I can only imagine the excitement in Anaheim tonight after a homerun.



-Michigan Sports Guy

Rick Porcello traded to the Yankees

Do not believe the hype Porcello is staying put!!

"There's a rumor going around, I don't know if anybody's read it, about Rick Porcello being traded. I want to make this perfectly clear: That is a blatant lie. I don't even know where it came from. That's a blatant lie and it's irresponsible. There's not a chance that Rick Porcello is going to be traded. That's a lie. That's not even speculation. That's a total lie." Jim Leland

-Report by Jason Beck

Two Detroit Tigers Stars Shine

The face of the Tigers is changing once again and our top two hitters were honored today. Brennan Boesch was name AL Rookie of the Month for June and Miguel Cabrera was selected to be one of the Home Run Derby Contestants in the 2010 All Star Home Run Derby. With these two players and starting pitching like Justin Verlander we should be a very good team for many years to come.

RIP Bob Probert

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Probert family on this tragic day.

2010 Detroit Tigers All Stars

Miguel Cabrera and Jose Valverde will be representing the Detroit Tigers in the 2010 All Star Game in Anaheim this year.

A Life lesson from a true professional

Some heroes are born, some heroes are made. What makes a sports hero? To some, heroes are made by the accomplishments they achieve. Some are born leaders who earn hero status by the work they do for the community. My hero came to light for me in 1997. October 5th, 2010 will mark 19 years of retirement for my hero. Let's take a walk down history lane. The 1976 MLB Amateur draft was a windfall both directly and indirectly for the Detroit Tigers. Leon "Bull" Durham, Alan Trammell, Jack Morris, Gene Roof, and Dan Petry were all drafted within the first 12 rounds. As I'm sure most are aware, Alan Trammell, Jack Morris and Dan Petry all were key members of the 1984 World Champion Detroit Tigers team. After his playing career ended, Leon Durham joined Lakeland in 1996 and has been the hitting coach in Toledo since 2001. Gene Roof called his career after a 5 game stint with the Toledo Mudhens in 1987. After retiring from an active career, Gene Roof became the hitting coach at Toledo and held that position until a couple of minor league managing jobs propelled his career into the big club in 1992. Gene has been a pivotal piece of the Detroit Tigers since, with only a few minor exits.


To most Detroit Tiger fans and baseball fans around the world, Durham, Trammell, Morris and Roof were some real feel good stories of playing and/or managerial success. The one star left out of that conversation in almost every circle is Dan Petry. While Trammell and Morris got the most attention, Petry quietly made his career a success by being one of the top pitchers on the staff in 1984 alone. With a 3.24 ERA during the regular season, Petry had a rough going in the World Series going 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA. 1985 came all too quickly and Petry showed how well he could bounce back by making the American League all star team while winning 15 games with a 3.36 ERA. 1986 started the slow decline for Petry as he was slowly making his way out of the limelight. Petry ended his career in 1991 after pitching in 13 games for the Red Sox with no decisions. Dan Petry rode off into the sunset with 125 career wins, 104 career losses, and a 3.95 ERA. While others like Leon Durham, Gene Roof, and Alan Trammell continued their baseball careers by managing, Dan Petry did the same; only on a smaller scale.


Just as Bryan Adams is entrenched in the “Summer of '69”, I will always remember the summer of '97. The sun was shining bright and the temperature was scalding. It had to be at least 90 degrees. The next two hours would be spent in the heat, doing something I loved tremendously. I pulled into a parking spot at Bicentennial Park and stepped out of my car. Dressed in my grey pants over my shin pads and a blue shirt covering my chest protector, I began to sweat almost immediately. It was my night to umpire a game between 10 and 11 year olds. As I was getting ready to go over the ground rules with the coaches, I realized I was standing in the presence of an All Star. Dan Petry was coaching his son's team and I was the one in charge of umpiring a fair game. Never before did I feel any pressure or stress when it came to umpiring. This was the middle of my second season and I finally felt what others felt from the beginning. It came to a peak when I finished with the ground rules and Mr. Petry looked at me and said "Awful young to be an umpire, aren't you?" In the most adult, professional way, I retorted "There are many definitions of young, sir." Mr. Petry just looked at me, smiled and walked away. After the game ended, Mr. Petry approached me and congratulated me on a well called game. After my comment to start the game, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. It never did. For the next thirty minutes or so, baseball was the only subject. We talked about me and where I played. Every time I mentioned something about him, he turned it right back to me. He challenged me to think and he challenged me to push myself to the limit. After our conversation ended, he confirmed where I played and what times. I never saw him again after that night. The ideals and competitiveness he instilled in me in just thirty minutes amaze me to this day. In the beginning of my senior year in high school, I finished my fall baseball league. Sitting in class, I received a letter sent to me from Findley University in Ohio offering a potential scholarship. In the letter, the recruiter asked to meet me and my family. We set up a day and when the day came, it was a very interesting process. I asked the recruiter how she found out about me and she replied, "We received word from a local coach. He let us know about your playing abilities but more so your baseball knowledge." She wouldn't reveal who the "local coach" was but logically; it could've been Dan Petry. I will never know if that was the case. The thirty small minutes he took out of his busy life for me allowed me to look deep and become a leader in my life. I will never forget about my conversation with my hero and a true icon in the baseball world. I didn't end up taking the scholarship from Findley as the money just didn't work out. Just to be a part of the process and knowing that I had even the slightest chance makes me think back to the day when a true icon took time to talk to a young kid with a little potential.

- Timothy Beckett

Bly returns to the Lions

Former Pro Bowl cornerback Dre' Bly is returning to Detroit.

The Lions said Friday that the unrestricted free agent has signed a two-year deal. Additional terms weren't released.

Bly spent four seasons in Detroit after signing as an unrestricted free agent in 2003. He made the Pro Bowl after the 2003 and 2004 seasons before he was traded to Denver following the 2006-07 season for two players and a draft pick.

He was released by the Broncos in February 2009 and played 16 games last year with San Francisco, starting six. Bly made 26 solo tackles for the 49ers, along with a sack and three interceptions.

Detroit also released cornerback Paul Pratt.