The "Favored" Curse

There will be no championship parade through Downtown Detroit for the Tigers. On Friday night, the World Series ended with the crowing of the St. Louis Cardinals as the new champions of Major League Baseball. They win the series 4-1.

What a disappointment. This was a painful series to watch for a Tiger fan, which- in the interest of full disclosure- I am not because I don't like baseball. But as a Detroit native, I became a semi-fan when the Tigers jumped out to the best record in baseball early in the season. They did fade down the homestretch, but found themselves and momentum when the playoffs started. They stunned the favored New York Yankees in the ALDS. Then shut down the Oakland A's in an ALCS sweep. The City of Detroit was elated to be in the World Series for the first time in 22 years and most of the baseball pundits had the Tigers as heavy favorites to win the title. Maybe that was the kiss of death.

Home field advantage disappeared in Game One. The Tiger bats went stone cold against the Cardinals' red hot pitching. Detroit's pitching went South. Kenny Rogers produced the only win and that was marred by "Dirtgate." The biggest disappointment-- all the defensive mistakes Tiger players made. They committed eight errors in the five games. The majority of those errors were charged to pitchers. It was downright embarrassing. I don't want to take anything away from the Cardinals, who played a terrific series. So, I won't say Detroit handed them the series. But Detroit handed them the series. The mistakes basically left me feeling like the Tigers didn't want to win the series. They weren't ready for the pressure of playing for all the marbles.

C'est la vie. My late grandfather was sitting by the radio in the kitchen of his heavenly mansion with a huge smile on his face when Brandon Inge whiffed on the final pitch of Friday night's game. My dad was probably happy, too. Earlier in the week, he told me he was pulling for St. Louis to win. Congratulations to the Cards.

The Tigers now become the third professional team in Detroit to be heavily favored to win their league title this year and not claim the prize. The '05-'06 Detroit Red Wings had the best record in the NHL and failed to win the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They didn't even make it out of the first round. The '05-'06 Detroit Pistons had the best record in the NBA and failed to make the NBA Finals. Now, the '06 Detroit Tigers, after holding the best record in Major League Baseball until the final weeks of the season, failed to win the World Series. When it comes to Motor City teams, it's obviously a curse to be favored to win a title and the Detroit Shock prove the point. They did not have the best record in the WNBA and were not favored to win the title, but the 2006 WNBA Finals trophy resides at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Oh, Good Evening!

Another Loss

I am running out of things to say about losing. I was traveling on Sunday and did not see the game, but I followed the score with my Pocket PC and was disappointed to see that we were down two touchdowns in the first quarter. It also appeared that our defense was back to not being able to stop drives because every time the Lions scored to reduce the deficit, the Jets would get the points right back. From my viewpoint, we were better off last season with Dick Jauron's defense that we are this year with Donnie Henderson's.

Anyway, we have two weeks to think about being 1-6 and get ready for the recharged- thanks to their overtime win over Pittsburgh- Atlanta Falcons who come to Ford Field on November 5.

Oh, Good Evening!

Fall Classic Rubber Match

Five days after winning the American League Championship Series, the Detroit Tigers know who's coming to town on Saturday for Game One of the 2006 World Series. I'd say "rematch" is the word. The St. Louis Cardinals will fly into town after winning the National League Championship in almost the same dramatic fashion as the Tigers' win over Oakland last weekend. The stage is now set for a sequel to the 1968 Fall classic between the Tigers and Cardinals which Detroit won and the 1934 Fall classic which the Cardinals won.

As I have repeatedly stated, I am not a big baseball fan. But, I must admit, it has been great watching this post-season. The games-- both American League and National League-- have been great. The drama and suspense has been exhilarating. And, FOX Sports has done a fantastic job of broadcasting the games, adding great perspective and insight to the game through the announcers, field reporters, and the use of graphics.

I will watch this year's World Series with great interest since the Tigers are my hometown team and the Cardinals are my father's hometown team. I must find out who he plans to pull for. This could make for an interesting family rivalry.

Oh, Good Evening!

Back to Work

Lost in all the hoopla over the Detroit Tigers winning the American League Championship is the return of the Pistons to action. The NBA preseason is in full swing and the Pistons are looking pretty good as they get ready to launch another campaign. This one without Ben Wallace holding down the center position. Wallace decided to defect to Central Division rival Chicago during the off season. Nazr Mohammed replaces him and seems to be filling the shoes quite well.

I think Detroit will have another stellar season though I don't see them jumping out to the kind of start they had a year ago. I also don't see them finishing with the best record in basketball again and that would probably be a good thing. That seems to jinx teams. The Shock won their title without having the WNBA's best record. The Tigers are doing quite well having not finished with MLB's best record. Let's see what happens for the Pistons this year.

I look forward to seeing the Pistons when they come down to Charlotte to play the Bobcats on December 3. My ticket is already in hand. GO PISTONS!

Oh, Good Evening!

Simply the Best

I have always enjoyed watching the news on television. While growing up, I often drove my family crazy sitting at the table, reading the newspaper out loud as if I were anchoring the evening news. I was always imitating my favorite local anchor Bill Bonds. For years, Bonds was the king of Detroit television news anchors and I have always watched WXYZ's Action News because of Bill Bonds.

Bill Bonds has long since retired from doing the news. He now does commercials for a local business. But, I still watch Channel 7 Action News whenever I come home to Detroit. Hands down, Action News is the best. They have the best anchors, reporters, set, graphics, and more.

I've watched a lot of newscasts across the country over the years and none has matched WXYZ's Action News in my opinion. Diana Lewis, Stephen Clark, Robbie Timmons, Jerry Hodak, and Don Shane are tops! I'm not big on Michigan winters so I'm in now hurry to come work in Detroit. But, if I were to move home, WXYZ is where I'd want to work!

Oh, Good Evening!