Cabrera is really starting to get some clutch hits. I wonder when he'll really get red hot and get his average up over .300. He can carry an offense, and he has yet to get that hot. He's been just OK, which is OK. It's a long year. He's bound to get hot.
Yesterday's game was another nice comeback, and it showed the Tigers in their best light. Good bullpen, big-time hitting in tough situations.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thrilling route to .500
Saturday night's come-from-behind 7-6 victory over the Rockies showed why the Tigers are both vulnerable and dangerous. They're vulnerable because a much as Todd Jones is a great guy, good teammate and fan friendly to the core, he's a 40-something castoff who is closing because he can. He can handle the pressure. He can handle the criticism. He can handle the booing. But, can he handle the Yankees or Red Sox or White Sox in a one-run game in the playoffs? Will he be able to get the save? The answer is NO, emphatically.
On the other hand, the Tigers have so much punch. Miguel Cabrera's winning hit was a rocket. The offensive players, although they did not get many clutch hits Saturday night, continue to have better at-bats. Even Guillen's out in the 9th was a solid at-bat. Ryan Raburn's at-bat in the 9th was good, too. He walked and scored the winning run on Cabrera's two-base hit.
Offensively, the Tigers are going to really get going; I think it's as sure as the sun coming up in the morning. But their closer, well, that's a serious issue.
Don't bet on Jim Leyland changing anyone's role, either. That's not his style.
At any rate, the Tigers are .500, 40-40. That's almost as incredible as the Lions winning the Super Bowl. OK, so nothing's further from the truth. But the Tigers are .500 before the Fourth of July break, well, that is something.
On the other hand, the Tigers have so much punch. Miguel Cabrera's winning hit was a rocket. The offensive players, although they did not get many clutch hits Saturday night, continue to have better at-bats. Even Guillen's out in the 9th was a solid at-bat. Ryan Raburn's at-bat in the 9th was good, too. He walked and scored the winning run on Cabrera's two-base hit.
Offensively, the Tigers are going to really get going; I think it's as sure as the sun coming up in the morning. But their closer, well, that's a serious issue.
Don't bet on Jim Leyland changing anyone's role, either. That's not his style.
At any rate, the Tigers are .500, 40-40. That's almost as incredible as the Lions winning the Super Bowl. OK, so nothing's further from the truth. But the Tigers are .500 before the Fourth of July break, well, that is something.
Hmmmmmm...
Things are suddenly starting to get interesting with this Tigers team. After hammering the Rockies last night, 7-1, behind rookie Eddie Bonine, the Tigers are 39-40, a game under .500. You might remember that I said, at 14-24, there was no way they'd be able to get to .500. I couldn't see them playing at a .600 clip. They are 25-16, a .609 winning percentage, in their last 41 games. I didn't see it coming.
But their pitching has gotten better, thanks to Galarraga, the rookie, and a more consistent bullpen.
Tonight, Justin Verlander goes for the Tigers, and he must be excellent so the team reaches .500. Winning tonight puts them at 40-40, almost the halfway mark of the season. After starting 0-7 and twice being 10 games under, a victory today means they've played .549 baseball since starting 0-7. With the way the Central is shaping up, 89-92 wins might win the division. They have a chance.
But today is huge, in terms of the team's mental standpoint. Reaching .500 is symbolic. It shows the players they did not quit, that they climbed back into the race.
OK, Verlander, you're the stud pitcher. Let's see you deliver when this team need it.
But their pitching has gotten better, thanks to Galarraga, the rookie, and a more consistent bullpen.
Tonight, Justin Verlander goes for the Tigers, and he must be excellent so the team reaches .500. Winning tonight puts them at 40-40, almost the halfway mark of the season. After starting 0-7 and twice being 10 games under, a victory today means they've played .549 baseball since starting 0-7. With the way the Central is shaping up, 89-92 wins might win the division. They have a chance.
But today is huge, in terms of the team's mental standpoint. Reaching .500 is symbolic. It shows the players they did not quit, that they climbed back into the race.
OK, Verlander, you're the stud pitcher. Let's see you deliver when this team need it.
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Pistons wheel and deal
The Pistons, picking 28th in last night's NBA draft, select D.J. White from Indiana, and then deal him to Seattle for two second-round picks. I have to trust Joe D on this move, because, frankly, I am out of the loop on the NBA. What it might do, I believe, is set the table for some moves down the road. They get rid of a first-round salary guy, in White, and stockpile a couple of young players who might fit Joe D's plan for retooling the team.
The last two years, the Pistons' bench has featured old guys; maybe now it will feature bursts of energy and youth ... who knows? More important, does anyone care right now? Even the most hardcore NBA fan has got to be wondering, "Who are these guys?" Anyone who has seen the two second-round picks of the Pistons -- Walter Sharpe and Trent Plaisted -- on anything more than an ESPN highlight clip has got to be one sick person. C'mon, admit it, we don't know squat about these guys. We're just keeping our fingers crossed.
Anyone know what the Wings are doing with their 10-player logjam on defense?
The last two years, the Pistons' bench has featured old guys; maybe now it will feature bursts of energy and youth ... who knows? More important, does anyone care right now? Even the most hardcore NBA fan has got to be wondering, "Who are these guys?" Anyone who has seen the two second-round picks of the Pistons -- Walter Sharpe and Trent Plaisted -- on anything more than an ESPN highlight clip has got to be one sick person. C'mon, admit it, we don't know squat about these guys. We're just keeping our fingers crossed.
Anyone know what the Wings are doing with their 10-player logjam on defense?
Well, what do you know ...
Another clutch hit by Sheffield -- a ninth-inning, game-tying home run -- and the Tigers take two of three from the Cards. It's a series victory, and these are good signs. They're two under, with Colorado coming to Comerica tonight. Rookie right-hander Eddie Bonine gets his second start, and I'm eager to see how he'll fare.
The Tigers have been able to find some pitching in the minors, and that has surprised me. But even more surprising, is their ability to turn this thing around. It's not a total turnaround, because they could -- and might -- hover around .500 for some time.
But Sheffield hitting two nights in a row is a good sign. While there's much I dislike about him, he always has been able to hit. If he can get hot for about a month, six weeks, then it would really give the Tigers a presence a little lower in the lineup. If he hits, this group could start scoring runs in bunches.
We'll see. But right now, it's kind of neat to see them win some tight games.
The Tigers have been able to find some pitching in the minors, and that has surprised me. But even more surprising, is their ability to turn this thing around. It's not a total turnaround, because they could -- and might -- hover around .500 for some time.
But Sheffield hitting two nights in a row is a good sign. While there's much I dislike about him, he always has been able to hit. If he can get hot for about a month, six weeks, then it would really give the Tigers a presence a little lower in the lineup. If he hits, this group could start scoring runs in bunches.
We'll see. But right now, it's kind of neat to see them win some tight games.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Is Billups on his way out?
I listen to rumors that Billups is on his way out, possibly to Denver, in a blockbuster NBA deal. I'd hate to see it, because I think Billups still has a lot left and I think he is one of the rare players on the Pistons team with big-game ability. I like Prince. I like Hamilton. But I think one of the major three probably has to go, along with Rasheed Wallace, if the Pistons are going to get any value in return in a deal.
No team wants Wallace. At least no team with a coach, GM or front-0ffice staff in their right minds. But someone might take him if another Top-Three Piston -- like Billups -- is included in the deal.
In some ways, I don't care. The NBA is my least favorite sport. I'd rather watch horse-shoe throwing. But I do like the Pistons' reputation for playing it hard and tough. How can you not like a group that puts out so much effort? Except for the last playoff series, maybe.
And that's why Joe D. has to right the ship. Billups gone? Maybe. And maybe it's needed.
No team wants Wallace. At least no team with a coach, GM or front-0ffice staff in their right minds. But someone might take him if another Top-Three Piston -- like Billups -- is included in the deal.
In some ways, I don't care. The NBA is my least favorite sport. I'd rather watch horse-shoe throwing. But I do like the Pistons' reputation for playing it hard and tough. How can you not like a group that puts out so much effort? Except for the last playoff series, maybe.
And that's why Joe D. has to right the ship. Billups gone? Maybe. And maybe it's needed.
A good victory
They all are good, aren't they? But this one, 8-7 vs. the Cards last night, was pretty sweet, indeed. First, the Tigers pulled off a come-from-behind win, featuring several spirited rallies. For a fan, that's always neat to see. Some times, in baseball, you don't think the players care about a game once the other team gets ahead by a couple-three runs or so. It's like, OK, this is over.
But the Tigers bounced back nicely.
And, they got a clutch hit from Gary Sheffield, whom I despise as a player. Now, he can hit. There is no argument here. But he is a one-dimensional piece of dirt as a player. If he doesn't hit, he cannot help you. At all. He doesn't move runners, he doesn't hit in the clutch (except maybe for last night) and he doesn't situation hit, at all. He doesn't play the field. He does walk a lot.
Any way, Sheff-dirt contributes and the Tigers rally. All in all, a good win.
But the Tigers bounced back nicely.
And, they got a clutch hit from Gary Sheffield, whom I despise as a player. Now, he can hit. There is no argument here. But he is a one-dimensional piece of dirt as a player. If he doesn't hit, he cannot help you. At all. He doesn't move runners, he doesn't hit in the clutch (except maybe for last night) and he doesn't situation hit, at all. He doesn't play the field. He does walk a lot.
Any way, Sheff-dirt contributes and the Tigers rally. All in all, a good win.
Evening the score
If you don't believe umpires or officials in professional sports try to even the score whenever necessary, think again.
Anybody watching the Tigers-Cardinals game last night got a taste of what happens when one official tries to cover for another. In the third inning, Laz Diaz, umpiring third base, called a shot down the line off the bat of Miguel Cabrera a fair ball. Cards manager Tony La Russa came out to argue the call, and I think he absolutely was right. First, it was home-plate umpire Wally Bell's call, not Diaz's. And, second, the ball was foul.
In any case, Cabrera was on second. All you had to notice was Bell's expression -- evident on replays -- when Diaz made the call. When Marcus Thames stepped into the box, you just knew Bell was going to give the Cards a break. The first and last pitches to Thames -- strike one and strike three -- were about a foot outside. Thames blew his cork on the strike-three call and was ejected.
As a TV viewer, I was just cracking up. Didn't Thames expect an even-up all there? Didn't he expect an outside pitch, about a foot off the plate, on the 3-2 pitch from righty starter Kyle Lohse?
Goes to show you that some players, regardless of ability or where they end up in sports, simply don't think the game.
Anybody watching the Tigers-Cardinals game last night got a taste of what happens when one official tries to cover for another. In the third inning, Laz Diaz, umpiring third base, called a shot down the line off the bat of Miguel Cabrera a fair ball. Cards manager Tony La Russa came out to argue the call, and I think he absolutely was right. First, it was home-plate umpire Wally Bell's call, not Diaz's. And, second, the ball was foul.
In any case, Cabrera was on second. All you had to notice was Bell's expression -- evident on replays -- when Diaz made the call. When Marcus Thames stepped into the box, you just knew Bell was going to give the Cards a break. The first and last pitches to Thames -- strike one and strike three -- were about a foot outside. Thames blew his cork on the strike-three call and was ejected.
As a TV viewer, I was just cracking up. Didn't Thames expect an even-up all there? Didn't he expect an outside pitch, about a foot off the plate, on the 3-2 pitch from righty starter Kyle Lohse?
Goes to show you that some players, regardless of ability or where they end up in sports, simply don't think the game.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
They should have been playing ...
the Twins. For all that was worth, Rogers was so-so and the Tigers hitters looked pretty overmatched. Reminded me of the 2006 World Series.
The only thing good about tuning in for a bit was watching the tribute to the 1968 team. I think that might be my favorite sports team of all time. They won with a lotta grit and always seemed to be rallying in the ninth to pull out the game.
I LOVED that team. At the end of the 8th inning on Fox Sports Detroit there was a shot of Gates Brown slapping hands with Al Kaline. The Gator still looks as if he could take two and line a single to right.
The only thing good about tuning in for a bit was watching the tribute to the 1968 team. I think that might be my favorite sports team of all time. They won with a lotta grit and always seemed to be rallying in the ninth to pull out the game.
I LOVED that team. At the end of the 8th inning on Fox Sports Detroit there was a shot of Gates Brown slapping hands with Al Kaline. The Gator still looks as if he could take two and line a single to right.
Ooooooppppps!!
Seems I need an editor ... I was sure the Tigers were facing the Twins starting tonight, but that series is next week. For now, tonight at least, we go with the Cards and then follow that with a series against the Rockies. This will finish interleague play, and the Tigers might be sorry to see the end of that. They've jumped back into the race with a nice little run here; let's see if they can keep it going.
The key here is Kenny Rogers, who has been so-so this season. The Tigers were looking for his return to solidify their rotation. But with Verlander off his game and Bonderman out for the season, Rogers needs to pick it up. If he could get on a little run, that would be a significant step in the right direction for this team.
Last year, Leyland was adamant that Rogers missing the season was the single most important factor in the Tigers missing the playoffs. If that's the case, then Rogers should be a plus here as the team enters the second half.
The key here is Kenny Rogers, who has been so-so this season. The Tigers were looking for his return to solidify their rotation. But with Verlander off his game and Bonderman out for the season, Rogers needs to pick it up. If he could get on a little run, that would be a significant step in the right direction for this team.
Last year, Leyland was adamant that Rogers missing the season was the single most important factor in the Tigers missing the playoffs. If that's the case, then Rogers should be a plus here as the team enters the second half.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Cubs win, Cubs win!!
With all due respect to Harry Caray, the Cubs just completed a sweep of the ChiSox, winning three straight in Wrigley Field. The sweep means the Tigers are 5 full games behind the division-leading ChiSox.
Well, well ... they're getting closer. Now, for Tuesday and Minnesota. Let's hope the Tigers understand the importance of this series.
Well, well ... they're getting closer. Now, for Tuesday and Minnesota. Let's hope the Tigers understand the importance of this series.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
About those Lions ...
Someone asked me why I totally skip the Lions on this blog ... well, for one, it's not the NFL season. In Detroit, it's really never an NFL season. Oh, there are some pretend seasons, but never a REAL NFL season.
Wake me up when the Lions get to the Super Bowl.
Like I tell friends, the last time the Lions won, Bobby Layne was playing QB with a leather helmet. (I don't believe that's true, but it certainly sounds good, eh?)
PS: FIRE MILLEN!!!!
Wake me up when the Lions get to the Super Bowl.
Like I tell friends, the last time the Lions won, Bobby Layne was playing QB with a leather helmet. (I don't believe that's true, but it certainly sounds good, eh?)
PS: FIRE MILLEN!!!!
Fatso & Fruit Loops
It appears that a very popular sports radio show, "Mike and the Mad Dog," is on its last legs. It is an intriguing talk show, to say the least. First, I can't believe how popular it is; NY City sports fans -- mostly males between the ages of 25 and 54 --can't wait to listen on WFAN, 660 AM, or TV (YES Network simulcasts the show most of the time, unless it goes up against a Yankee game) and hang on every word. Plus, nationally, it's got a ton of followers.
Here's a link to a news story on the end of the show:
http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spmike0622,0,842426.story
That it's so popular is a little scary in itself, because these guys, while knowledgeable, are simply sports fans. Mike Francesa and Chris Russo, the co-hosts for 18-plus years, are not journalists, and they are not nearly as in tune to what's going on in NY as they lead their fans to believe. They have opinions, some good, some bad. But, mostly, they are just opinions.
They're wrong almost as much as they are right, but if you listen to them regularly you'd think they never make a mistake. (Here's one: David Wright of the Mets is a bad defensive third baseman. Guys, he's not bad defensively. His arm is somewhat erratic, but he definitely is above average and a Gold Glove winner.)
And for the NY market, I find them overbearing and, at times, silly. So does someone else, because they've been dubbed "Fatso & Fruit Loops" by someone, a media columnist from one of the NY tabloids, I believe.
However, and here's the rub, I listen when I can ... Why?
Well, when I moved to the NY City area, I needed to catch up on the teams, the Yankees, Mets, etc. I was working on a sports staff, and I needed quick history lessons. WFAN's all-sports talk format was perfect for me.
So, I confess to listening to these guys. It's become a bit of a habit.
But they leave a lot to be desired. They often are rude, downright nasty, to many callers who disagree with them. They cut these calls short, of course, and always make sure to have the last word.
When they are wrong on a point, you rarely hear them retreat or to apologize or to tell listeners they were wrong. Also, they babble on and on about stuff that doesn't matter ... their kids, their weekends, a movie or a book on American history, their remodeling plans. This wasted talk leaves fans -- who call and call and call -- hanging on the line. It would be nice if they took more calls and left the personal stuff out of it.
And they let guests off the hook over and over. They peddle soft interviews, and yet fans just eat it up.
Why didn't I think of this radio talk stuff years ago?
Anyway, the best radio sports talk, in my humble opinion, is not in NY City with Fatso and Fruit Loops. The best sports radio talk is in Toronto, The Fan 590. It's got several very good hosts, including Mike Hogan, and a morning-drive team of Landry and Stellick. Plus, it's just chock-full of hockey talk.
Oh, yeah, Mike and the Mad Dog hate hockey.
Here's a link to a news story on the end of the show:
http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spmike0622,0,842426.story
That it's so popular is a little scary in itself, because these guys, while knowledgeable, are simply sports fans. Mike Francesa and Chris Russo, the co-hosts for 18-plus years, are not journalists, and they are not nearly as in tune to what's going on in NY as they lead their fans to believe. They have opinions, some good, some bad. But, mostly, they are just opinions.
They're wrong almost as much as they are right, but if you listen to them regularly you'd think they never make a mistake. (Here's one: David Wright of the Mets is a bad defensive third baseman. Guys, he's not bad defensively. His arm is somewhat erratic, but he definitely is above average and a Gold Glove winner.)
And for the NY market, I find them overbearing and, at times, silly. So does someone else, because they've been dubbed "Fatso & Fruit Loops" by someone, a media columnist from one of the NY tabloids, I believe.
However, and here's the rub, I listen when I can ... Why?
Well, when I moved to the NY City area, I needed to catch up on the teams, the Yankees, Mets, etc. I was working on a sports staff, and I needed quick history lessons. WFAN's all-sports talk format was perfect for me.
So, I confess to listening to these guys. It's become a bit of a habit.
But they leave a lot to be desired. They often are rude, downright nasty, to many callers who disagree with them. They cut these calls short, of course, and always make sure to have the last word.
When they are wrong on a point, you rarely hear them retreat or to apologize or to tell listeners they were wrong. Also, they babble on and on about stuff that doesn't matter ... their kids, their weekends, a movie or a book on American history, their remodeling plans. This wasted talk leaves fans -- who call and call and call -- hanging on the line. It would be nice if they took more calls and left the personal stuff out of it.
And they let guests off the hook over and over. They peddle soft interviews, and yet fans just eat it up.
Why didn't I think of this radio talk stuff years ago?
Anyway, the best radio sports talk, in my humble opinion, is not in NY City with Fatso and Fruit Loops. The best sports radio talk is in Toronto, The Fan 590. It's got several very good hosts, including Mike Hogan, and a morning-drive team of Landry and Stellick. Plus, it's just chock-full of hockey talk.
Oh, yeah, Mike and the Mad Dog hate hockey.
Now comes the test
OK, OK ... not a bad road trip for the Tigers, who suddenly -- and I mean suddenly -- are three games under .500 (36-39) and in the hunt in the god-awful Central Division. They should take two of three from the dismal Padres, whose only punch in the lineup comes from the Gonzalez kid at first base. He looks like the real deal; maybe the Yankees or Mets are looking in a few years and he ends up in the Big Apple.
But back to the Tigers. In mid-May, when the Tigers where 10-games under (17-27) I wrote on this blog they needed to go 30-20 to reach .500 after 94 games. On June 4, just a few weeks later, they again were 10-games under (24-34). Do the math. Since I beat the keys to post that blog, the Tigers have won 12 of 17 and are 5.5 games behind the division-leading ChiSox (who play the Cubs in Wrigley Field in a few minutes).
On Tuesday, the Tigers start a series vs. Minnesota, and it's imperative they start winning inter-division games. If they can hover around .500, they could be in this thing in late August. The pitching has improved, especially the bullpen. Who'd have thunk it?
But back to the Tigers. In mid-May, when the Tigers where 10-games under (17-27) I wrote on this blog they needed to go 30-20 to reach .500 after 94 games. On June 4, just a few weeks later, they again were 10-games under (24-34). Do the math. Since I beat the keys to post that blog, the Tigers have won 12 of 17 and are 5.5 games behind the division-leading ChiSox (who play the Cubs in Wrigley Field in a few minutes).
On Tuesday, the Tigers start a series vs. Minnesota, and it's imperative they start winning inter-division games. If they can hover around .500, they could be in this thing in late August. The pitching has improved, especially the bullpen. Who'd have thunk it?
Friday, June 20, 2008
After a little time off ...
I am now a little intrigued by the Tigers, who have put together a little run here to climb back into the mix. They are not contenders yet in the Central, but they have closed the gap.
Losing Bonderman will hurt, but the Tigers have been able to get some much-needed help from right-handers Armando Galarraga in the rotation and Freddy Dolsi out of the bullpen.
With the return of Fernando Rodney and Joel Zuymaya, well, who knows? It could happen. One reason is that the White Sox aren't that strong, and the other preseason contender, Cleveland, remains in a funk.
Entering tonight's game at San Diego, the Tigers have won eight of their last 10. They face a Padres' team that is weak offensively and at the bottom of the NL West. After the three games in San Diego, the Tigers return home to face Minnesota, and this is where the big test begins. A sweep of San Diego would put the Tigers at 37-38, and they'd be playing a division foe, Minnesota, that is ahead of them in the standings.
But beware of these Tigers. If they've shown us one consistent trait this season it's that they can't win against teams in the Central Division. They're 10-19 vs. the Twins, White Sox, Royals and Indians, and that includes 0-6 vs. Kansas City. If there was ever a time to get going, it's this week.
I'm interested, but I'm not holding my breath.
Losing Bonderman will hurt, but the Tigers have been able to get some much-needed help from right-handers Armando Galarraga in the rotation and Freddy Dolsi out of the bullpen.
With the return of Fernando Rodney and Joel Zuymaya, well, who knows? It could happen. One reason is that the White Sox aren't that strong, and the other preseason contender, Cleveland, remains in a funk.
Entering tonight's game at San Diego, the Tigers have won eight of their last 10. They face a Padres' team that is weak offensively and at the bottom of the NL West. After the three games in San Diego, the Tigers return home to face Minnesota, and this is where the big test begins. A sweep of San Diego would put the Tigers at 37-38, and they'd be playing a division foe, Minnesota, that is ahead of them in the standings.
But beware of these Tigers. If they've shown us one consistent trait this season it's that they can't win against teams in the Central Division. They're 10-19 vs. the Twins, White Sox, Royals and Indians, and that includes 0-6 vs. Kansas City. If there was ever a time to get going, it's this week.
I'm interested, but I'm not holding my breath.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Another ho-hum effort
Verlander pitches just OK but the Tigers don't generate any offense, other than a couple of bases-empty HRs. Any clue on the result?
Another loss, 4-2 to the Indians.
Now that the Tigers are out of it so early in the season, I wonder how quickly they can rebuild. The trade of Jurgens to the Braves for Renteria will haunt them, especially if word is true that Bonderman has a shoulder problem; he's supposed to miss his next starter, tomorrow.
I'll continue to watch -- from afar -- but I suspect the Tigers are going to be in big, big trouble for the next couple of years. Older players with big contracts and thin pitching. Not a recipe for winning.
Another loss, 4-2 to the Indians.
Now that the Tigers are out of it so early in the season, I wonder how quickly they can rebuild. The trade of Jurgens to the Braves for Renteria will haunt them, especially if word is true that Bonderman has a shoulder problem; he's supposed to miss his next starter, tomorrow.
I'll continue to watch -- from afar -- but I suspect the Tigers are going to be in big, big trouble for the next couple of years. Older players with big contracts and thin pitching. Not a recipe for winning.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Comparisons
Are the Wings the best pro sports organization in recent memory? Are they better than the New England Patriots, or the New York Yankees? It's debatable. But, really, who cares?
You can make comparisons, and I've even heard some say these Wings resemble the Bill Walsh San Francisco 49ers of the late 80s and early 90s, who emphasized style and grace over the more rugged brand of football, as displayed by the Bears and Giants of the era.
I said it a few postings ago, and I'll stand by it. First, the Cup is the most difficult championship to win. Second, the Wings do the best job of any team in pro sports of identifying players that fit their scheme. And, third, they stick to their scheme of puck possession and puck pursuit.
They are the best-run organization in the NHL, no question. And there are several other teams that are well-run, including the Devils, Avalanche and the Predators.
In any event, the Wings are atop the hockey world. Let's enjoy it. It's great, eh?
You can make comparisons, and I've even heard some say these Wings resemble the Bill Walsh San Francisco 49ers of the late 80s and early 90s, who emphasized style and grace over the more rugged brand of football, as displayed by the Bears and Giants of the era.
I said it a few postings ago, and I'll stand by it. First, the Cup is the most difficult championship to win. Second, the Wings do the best job of any team in pro sports of identifying players that fit their scheme. And, third, they stick to their scheme of puck possession and puck pursuit.
They are the best-run organization in the NHL, no question. And there are several other teams that are well-run, including the Devils, Avalanche and the Predators.
In any event, the Wings are atop the hockey world. Let's enjoy it. It's great, eh?
What happened to Sid the Kid?
It's obvious that Sidney Crosby is remarkably good. At 20 years old, he is a dominant offensive force and considered an excellent team leader.
But, and you can go back to Gretzky and even the Trottier/Bossy/Potvin Islanders on this one, youth often must suffer some painful setbacks before achieving the ultimate success in the NHL playoffs. The Isles of the late 70s and early 80s endured some disastrous elimination losses to the Leafs and Rangers in the playoffs before winning those four straight Cups. And Gretzky's Oilers lost to an aging Isles team in the Finals before going on their run in the 80s.
Anaheim, last year, and Carolina and Tampa Bay most recently, are examples of young Cup-winning teams that did either not repeat or had trouble reaching the playoffs in subsequent seasons. Look at Ottawa's recent fall from the NHL elite. Or Buffalo's decline.
The mere presence of Sid the Kid does not guarantee the Penguins a playoff spot every year. And Penguins fans who think that they are now the team to beat in the entire NHL are fooling themselves. Malone, Orpik and Hossa are free agents. If any leave -- and the Penguins can't pay them all -- who is to say the team can recapture the magic that led them to this year's Final?
The Rangers, Devils, Ottawa and Buffalo will improve, you can bet.
I like Crosby, but here's hoping the fans in the league understand how difficult it is to get back to the Finals. One successful year is no guarantee there will be more to come.
Hope you enjoyed the ride, fellas.
But, and you can go back to Gretzky and even the Trottier/Bossy/Potvin Islanders on this one, youth often must suffer some painful setbacks before achieving the ultimate success in the NHL playoffs. The Isles of the late 70s and early 80s endured some disastrous elimination losses to the Leafs and Rangers in the playoffs before winning those four straight Cups. And Gretzky's Oilers lost to an aging Isles team in the Finals before going on their run in the 80s.
Anaheim, last year, and Carolina and Tampa Bay most recently, are examples of young Cup-winning teams that did either not repeat or had trouble reaching the playoffs in subsequent seasons. Look at Ottawa's recent fall from the NHL elite. Or Buffalo's decline.
The mere presence of Sid the Kid does not guarantee the Penguins a playoff spot every year. And Penguins fans who think that they are now the team to beat in the entire NHL are fooling themselves. Malone, Orpik and Hossa are free agents. If any leave -- and the Penguins can't pay them all -- who is to say the team can recapture the magic that led them to this year's Final?
The Rangers, Devils, Ottawa and Buffalo will improve, you can bet.
I like Crosby, but here's hoping the fans in the league understand how difficult it is to get back to the Finals. One successful year is no guarantee there will be more to come.
Hope you enjoyed the ride, fellas.
A regal captain
Sir Nick. Smooth. Dependable. Durable.
Just pick an adjective. Bobby Orr was more exciting, and many, many defensemen over the years have been more physical and flashier. But I don't know if anyone has been better in this era.
Nick Lidstrom is the first European captain of a Stanley Cup team, and I confess several years ago, after watching 170-pound Doug Gilmour beat Lidstrom out of the corner to score a playoff goal for the Maple Leafs, I never thought this would happen. I thought Lidstrom was good, but I did think he was soft.
He is NOT a physical presence, but he plays with so much savvy and uses his stick better than any player I've ever watched in the NHL.
We could go on and on and on, but I think the front-office of the Wings deserves credit here for being patient. When the Wings lost in 95 and 96 and had to retool, they made sure Lidstrom did not go anywhere. They made sure that he was a focal point, and they made the right choice, no question. Some teams have not been as wise. The Rangers shipped away Zubov, and they've been so-so in the back ever since. The Leafs never put the right players around Borje Salming, and their Cup drought continues.
Lidstrom is what he is, a rare player who breaks the mold. He has size but is not overly physical. He has great offensive skills but he rarely goes down the ice on a breath-taking rush. He's almost always in the right position, and if you were not a hockey purist you just would not understand how good a player he is.
What a great treat to watch him all these years. And what a relief that the Wings' front office recognized what they had when many of us did not.
Just pick an adjective. Bobby Orr was more exciting, and many, many defensemen over the years have been more physical and flashier. But I don't know if anyone has been better in this era.
Nick Lidstrom is the first European captain of a Stanley Cup team, and I confess several years ago, after watching 170-pound Doug Gilmour beat Lidstrom out of the corner to score a playoff goal for the Maple Leafs, I never thought this would happen. I thought Lidstrom was good, but I did think he was soft.
He is NOT a physical presence, but he plays with so much savvy and uses his stick better than any player I've ever watched in the NHL.
We could go on and on and on, but I think the front-office of the Wings deserves credit here for being patient. When the Wings lost in 95 and 96 and had to retool, they made sure Lidstrom did not go anywhere. They made sure that he was a focal point, and they made the right choice, no question. Some teams have not been as wise. The Rangers shipped away Zubov, and they've been so-so in the back ever since. The Leafs never put the right players around Borje Salming, and their Cup drought continues.
Lidstrom is what he is, a rare player who breaks the mold. He has size but is not overly physical. He has great offensive skills but he rarely goes down the ice on a breath-taking rush. He's almost always in the right position, and if you were not a hockey purist you just would not understand how good a player he is.
What a great treat to watch him all these years. And what a relief that the Wings' front office recognized what they had when many of us did not.
The Fourth Stanley Cup
The finish was a little closer than I expected, especially after the Wings built a 3-1 lead, but they prevailed. Cup No. 4. And it is a sweet one to savor, no question.Game 6: Detroit 3, Pittsburgh 2. That makes it four Stanley Cups in 11 seasons for the Wings.
As a kid growing up with the Wings of the late 60s and throughout the 70s, it was tough to be a fan. They had so, so many bad teams and missed on so many of their draft choices. But this stretch makes it all worth the wait.
Henrik Zetterberg deserved the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, and I don't think there is a better two-way player in the league. He TOTALLY dominated Sydney Crosby, who is a fine player but a little young and a little one dimensional to be a Cup champion. Plus, his team wasn't ready just yet.
Zetterberg does the dirty stuff, like corner work and driving to the net. He gives up the puck and plays the game the right way. I remember the Wings' first Swede, Thommie Bergman, way back in the early 70s. He was a good player, but he was labeled as soft because of his European background. Now, 30 years later, a Swede with grit, and another, the captain, Nick Lidstrom, lead the Wings to Cup No. 4 (in this stretch).
The Wings showed a lot of grit in the series and throughout the season, and I think Ken Holland's comment about last year's loss in the conference finals to Anaheim was a reference to that grit. The Wings needed to be a little bit tougher to play against, and they sucked it up this season. They were better, tougher, more physical against all their opponents, including a great defensive team in Dallas.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Just one more ... and I can die happy
As much as I believe the Red Wings will win tonight, there is a small feeling of doubt. And I guess that's what makes sports so interesting, from a fan's perspective.
The Wings are far superior, in terms of concepts, playing fast ... you name it. But in sports, especially hockey, there are intangibles. If the Wings hit the net more, and if Marc-Andre Fleury misses one shot in the third period, well, we're celebrating the Cup right now.
But hockey is so, so tremendous, in terms of unpredictability. A hot goalie, a bad bounce, and who knows?
Look, if Lidstrom's one-hopper doesn't go in against Nashville, who knows what happens?
The teams in the NHL are very, very close. In the playoffs, one hot run can knock out a favorite, change the whole Cup picture.
I have faith the Wings will produce tonight. Their best players will be excellent, and their supporting cast will be more than enough.
I'm listening to Scotty Bowman on a radio interview, and he's saying how the Wings' experience should dominate, once again. He's also saying the Penguins had an edge in the second overtime of Game 5. So who knows. "It is what it is," Scotty is saying. Translation: The Wings have their work cut out for them against a young, star-studded team. On the road.
I believe the Wings will win tonight. Who cares if they win on the road or at home? Not me. Just as long as they win.
The Wings are far superior, in terms of concepts, playing fast ... you name it. But in sports, especially hockey, there are intangibles. If the Wings hit the net more, and if Marc-Andre Fleury misses one shot in the third period, well, we're celebrating the Cup right now.
But hockey is so, so tremendous, in terms of unpredictability. A hot goalie, a bad bounce, and who knows?
Look, if Lidstrom's one-hopper doesn't go in against Nashville, who knows what happens?
The teams in the NHL are very, very close. In the playoffs, one hot run can knock out a favorite, change the whole Cup picture.
I have faith the Wings will produce tonight. Their best players will be excellent, and their supporting cast will be more than enough.
I'm listening to Scotty Bowman on a radio interview, and he's saying how the Wings' experience should dominate, once again. He's also saying the Penguins had an edge in the second overtime of Game 5. So who knows. "It is what it is," Scotty is saying. Translation: The Wings have their work cut out for them against a young, star-studded team. On the road.
I believe the Wings will win tonight. Who cares if they win on the road or at home? Not me. Just as long as they win.
The Terrible Tigers
A few postings ago (you could look it up) I wrote the Tigers needed to go 30-20 to get to .500 at 47-47. I said it would be virtually impossible for this team to achieve such a run, and it looks like I am right (again).
When I entered the post on May 19, the Tigers were 10 games under .500 at 17-27. Today, 14 games later, they remain 10 games under, at 24-34. They are an awfully, awfully poor offensive team, can't catch the ball and can't get anyone out when it's needed.
It's too bad, because this looked like their year. On paper.
When I entered the post on May 19, the Tigers were 10 games under .500 at 17-27. Today, 14 games later, they remain 10 games under, at 24-34. They are an awfully, awfully poor offensive team, can't catch the ball and can't get anyone out when it's needed.
It's too bad, because this looked like their year. On paper.
I told you so
By the way, I did tell everyone that Flip Saunders had to go as the Pistons coach, so it was no surprise to me that Joe Dumars made the move yesterday. Joe D. is a smart, smart executive, but I wonder who he picks as the successor. Michael Curry? Not too sure that would be the best move.
But I do think it's time for Rasheed to be sent packing. That's the next move, in my opinion. The coach is important, but in the NBA the players run the ship.
But I do think it's time for Rasheed to be sent packing. That's the next move, in my opinion. The coach is important, but in the NBA the players run the ship.
Game 6
I've been recovering from a long, long weekend and, of course, the triple-overtime loss to the Penguins in Game 5. It was an amazingly entertaining game, and like most Red Wings fans I was disappointed with the loss. But, it happens. Marc-Andre Fleury was hot, and the Wings made one serious fundamental error.
On offense, they repeatedly missed the net. This went on throughout the game. Remember Helm's breakaway early in the first period when the Wings had fallen behind, 2-0? He missed on that one.
But one player who should be spanked verbally is Mikael Samuelsson. He was set up several times for prime scoring chances, especially in the first minute of the final overtime, and on virtually every opportunity he missed the net. Missing the net is a huge fundamental mistake, because it lets opponents off the hook defensively. One of the most difficult things for a team to achieve defensively is control of rebounds and loose pucks. Shots ON THE NET force teams to run around a bit on defense.
I bet the Wings directed nearly a hundred shots toward the net, and to finish with 50-plus shots on goal over such a long period of time -- nearly three full overtimes -- is a flaw. Hit the net, boys! By the way, no one has made mention of this flaw. Of course, you would not read about it in the horse-bleep Detroit media, but neither have I read or heard about it anywhere else.
Defensively, the Wings threw the puck away on the game-tying goal with 34.4 seconds left in regulation. If Johan Franzen takes the puck to the wall moments before the scramble in front that led to the tying goal, I don't think Pittsburgh extends the game.
But, it is what it is. If anyone had told me that the Wings had a chance to close this thing in Game 6, I'd have taken it. The Penguins are a talented team, and they work extremely hard.
The Wings MUST hit the net tonight, and they must not allow the Penguins to get off to any kind of positive start. The Wings are the better team; now, can they pull it off?
I believe so. And I think tonight they clinch on enemy ice.
On offense, they repeatedly missed the net. This went on throughout the game. Remember Helm's breakaway early in the first period when the Wings had fallen behind, 2-0? He missed on that one.
But one player who should be spanked verbally is Mikael Samuelsson. He was set up several times for prime scoring chances, especially in the first minute of the final overtime, and on virtually every opportunity he missed the net. Missing the net is a huge fundamental mistake, because it lets opponents off the hook defensively. One of the most difficult things for a team to achieve defensively is control of rebounds and loose pucks. Shots ON THE NET force teams to run around a bit on defense.
I bet the Wings directed nearly a hundred shots toward the net, and to finish with 50-plus shots on goal over such a long period of time -- nearly three full overtimes -- is a flaw. Hit the net, boys! By the way, no one has made mention of this flaw. Of course, you would not read about it in the horse-bleep Detroit media, but neither have I read or heard about it anywhere else.
Defensively, the Wings threw the puck away on the game-tying goal with 34.4 seconds left in regulation. If Johan Franzen takes the puck to the wall moments before the scramble in front that led to the tying goal, I don't think Pittsburgh extends the game.
But, it is what it is. If anyone had told me that the Wings had a chance to close this thing in Game 6, I'd have taken it. The Penguins are a talented team, and they work extremely hard.
The Wings MUST hit the net tonight, and they must not allow the Penguins to get off to any kind of positive start. The Wings are the better team; now, can they pull it off?
I believe so. And I think tonight they clinch on enemy ice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
