DETROIT SPORTS SNOBS HAS MOVED

DETROIT SPORTS SNOBS HAS MOVED

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78 Topps

My favorite baseball card set of all time is 1978 Topps.  No, it's not the best designed set...nor the best looking.  There's many years that are far superior.  Heck I really like 72 and 77 more for their looks.  But 78 had the game on the back.  As a kid we would play the game on the back for hours on end.

No other sport lends itself to nostalgia like baseball.  Baseball cards are a part of that component that fuels our memories.  

10 Year Anniversary - THE BRAWL

Originally written in March 1997 by me

The BRAWL
It has been touted as one of the most important games in recent Red Wings history. Bloody Wednesday was defintely a night to remember in Motown that's for sure. "The Brawl" which it has been labled has been shown on a Detroit cable station for 2 straight days. VCRs in the Motor City were working overtime to tape the event over and over. Blood thirsty fans? One would think this is equivalent to the Romans feeding gladiators to the Lions the way the local media and fans have reacted. You can call it sweet revenge or justification or payback time or retribution. Whatever you call it, it was important to the Red Wings. "This is a game that brought the Red Wings together," said Vernon, who picked up his 300th career win against the Avs. "Whether it was the first-period fighting or the overtime goal, a game like this only helps give you confidence to go into the playoffs. When you go to the playoffs, everybody has to be ready to do the job and stay together. Tonight showed the guys were willing to pay the price." The fans were willing to pay the price of admission for this game. This is what the Wings needed with 10 games remaining before the playoffs. This year for most teams would be considered a great season, but coming off of last year's record setting performance, this has been a big letdown. Something was missing in the formula.

Last year's playoff elimination to Colorado was overshadowed when Claude Lemieux checked Kris Draper from behind into the boards face first and rearranged his face. Lemieux recieved only a 2 game suspension and a $1000 fine from the NHL while Drapes spent the summer recovering from a broken jaw. Lemieux became public enemy number one in Detroit and has been a target of the fans and media for about 300 days. He did not apologize for the incident and Draper has said that is all he wanted. In fact Lemieux has gone about how he has made Draper famous, made him money, and has helped his career. There is no doubt that Lemieux has killed the Wings the last two seasons as he rightfully has hoisted the Cup for New Jersey and Colorado. His statements about Draper has partially fueled the bad blood between the two teams establishing the Western Conference rivalry like never before.

"Screw Lemieux" T-shirts were being sold all over the Detroit Metro area. A local sports station labled March as "Screw Lemieux Month". The hype for this game has been building for along time and finally reached its pinnacle on Bloody Wednesday. Kris Draper's grandfather died the night before the game and he mentioned it to no one. He didnt want anything to be taken away from the game. Draper's best friend is Darren McCarty. McCarty had beem incensed over the comments Lemieux made regarding the incident about his friend. "He did it to Drapes, but he did it to me to," said McCarty, "If one of your brothers gets taken advantage of, you respond. It's a family thing." The same stand has been taken by the Red Wing's fans who consider their team as family. They wanted Lemieux and they wanted him to pay. You will have your fans that are just blood thirsty. Call it sick or morbid curiousity, it is human nature to be excited and drawn to these situations.

The overwhelming consensnus around town, with the exception of the elitist media, are very content of the outcome of the game. The outcome unfortunate as it may have been for the game of hockey to some in general, was ultimatley inevitable. The beginning of this story needed an end. And in a game that meant nothing to the standings it meant everything to the Wings and the final line was written by not only Darren McCarty, but by the whole team. The eye for an eye mentality is being questioned and talked about by everyone fom psyhcologists to school kids.

The Avalanche are still superior and the odds on favorite to win the Cup. The Wings haven't dented that fact one bit. But for the Wings, winning that game in overtime rallying from two goals down and getting revenge on Claude Lemiuex was a turning point. The fans have been finally won over. They were shown that their team wasn't going to get pushed around and wasn't going to get stepped on for lack of effort. Mike Vernon a scapegoat the past few seasons has won the hearts of Detroit just by blooding Patrick Roy in their fight.

For as long as fighting has been in hockey, there has been a movement to remove it from the game. My contention is, if Lemieux would have apologized then this would not have happened. But he didn't and it was assumed that he had no remorse and did the hit intentionally. Within the rules the Red Wings payed him back. McCarty did not recieve a fighting penalty because Lemieux turtled away claiming he was jumped and sucker punched. He did not fight. Video replay clearly shows Lemieux saw McCarty coming and ducked. Lemieux had a cut reopened by McCarty and recieved 17 stitches but returned to the game and nearly scored. The cut may have been reopened when McCarty dragged Lemieux and his head hit the boards. Colorado coach Marc Crawford claims that McCarty kneed Lemieux in the head. That is debatable as the replay would indicate, but McCarty has denied that he did. A few years ago Claude turtled to Cam Neely in a similar situation. This is great fodder for Don Cherry to spew!

Darren McCarty was not suspended or fined for the game much to the dismay of the Colorado officials. After the game Wings defensemen Arron Ward filed a complaint to NHL officals in reference to an alledged altercation between he and Colorado coach Marc Crawford in the hallway outside the locker rooms. Marc Crawford denies these allegations and claims that this is just another Scotty Bowman ploy to fuel the media. Also filed by the Red Wings was an incident where Avs GM Pierre Lacroix was seen pushing a local sports writer in the Press Box during the game.

Lady Byng candidate Igor Larionov took expection to visor wearing Peter Forsberg's hit from behind to start the fights. That being the case it would be far fetched to say that the fight was premediated as Colorado is proclaiming. But to say the altercation as a whole was not premediated is absurd. The time it was going to happen was never planned and how it was going to happen wasn't known. But the fact that it was going to happen was well known. The electricity in the air was enough to light the city that night. 19,983 fans crammed into Joe Louis Arena (a proper name, don't you think?) and cheered furioulsy as 144 penalty minutes were handed out. To finally beat the defending Stanley Cup Champions in overtime and to get revenge was very sweet. Ironically Red Wing enforcer Joey "KO" Kocur didnt suit up for the game due to the flu. Neither did tough defensemen Bob Rouse.

These teams will only meet in the Conference Finals if they each get there. If the hockey gods choose this fate it should be a most interesting battle. Otherwise anything as far as paybacks to the Wings by Colorado will have to wait until next season. Roy, who played stellar was bloodied by Mike Vernon and injured his shoulder when Shanahan ran into him at center ice. Lemieux was bloodied. Forsberg was bloodied. Will these scenarios be repayed and relived in the future? No one knows for sure. Picking and choosing a right time and a right place is the key. The Red Wings picked this time and place to get Lemieux back. Mike Keane wanted to know why the Red Wings waited to do this at home? Does it really matter? In hockey you pick and choose your time and place. Sometimes it takes years, sometimes only 300 days. This event or debacle, depending on your point of view, might be the great deterrent this game needs for the cheap shots that occur. It will serve notice that you can't get away with it.

The Red Wings have been criticized for being to small to match the teams in the East, but on that Wednesday they finally played very big! Kris Draper feels closure has taken place. Hockeytown feels that something has finally opened, it is called Aggressive Hockey! This statement might be true, "The Romans had the gladiators... we have hockey." The spirit of Gordie Howe has made a comeback. What a game!

Replay for the Replay

I'm not sure what the officals were looking at during the shoot out between the Blues and Red Wings.  Is it possible that they are looking at video replay views that the fan on tv is not?  Yeah it is possible.  However when the replays CLEARLY show that Hasek stopped the goal, and that the Red Wings scored their goal, how do they come up with the opposite?

Imagine if this was a playoff game.  Everyone is crying for basketball to use video replay, but yet video replay isnt even conclusive.  When it is conclusive, you still have officials who can't see making the calls.  

There has to be a better way.  I've always thought that the puck should have a chip in it, where when it crossed the goal plane sensors would indicate goal or not.  You can't tell me this would not be a better scenario.  The sample applies for the NFL.  Use lasers for first downs, and for goal line situations.  

The Wings got screwed.

Sweet 6Teen

Alright I'm still in the hunt for the tourney in my brackets.  I have a shot, it's a long shot..but I came away strong for the 2nd games.  

Winners: Florida, Butler, Oregon, Kansas, S. Illinois, UCLA, NC, Vandy, Georgetown, OSU, Tennessee, Texas A&M baby.  
Losers: Texas

Florida should take Butler.  Oregon over UNLV...but but but.
S.Illinois is my defensive gem over Kansas.
UCLA and Pitt will be classic...going with the Bruins though.
Carolina maybe over USC.
Georgetown easy over Vandy...their luck has run out.
I picked OSU, but I'd love to see Tenn beat them.
Great game, Texas A&M vs. Memphis - make sure to watch this one.

Bowie

Former baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn died of pneumonia.  As a cool kid growing up in the 70's, Kuhn was one of the icons of sport.  He along with Pete Rozelle were always in the spotlight.  It's hard to say what his legacy is, as he had to deal with free agency which pretty much changed the game as we know it.  Did he he do a good job, or did he adequately handle what was dealt to him in a sea of inevitablity?   

First Round Blues

End of the first round and I'm 24 and 8.  Not too bad I guess, but others have a better records. I hate them for it. I do. I do.

Stupid me takes Arizoner. Rule number one in any pool is to not ever bank any hopes on Arizona or Kansas.  They will always bite you in the arse.

Happy that the Irish lost...life is good at least one more day.

GA Tech I actually had going another round, so that hurt.  Two teams I had going another round lost, these guys and Duke.  Did anyone have VCU over Duke?  You had to think Duke would win at least one game didnt you? Coach K factor.  I had the same logic with Bobby Knight and it failed me. So much for seniority.

And Gonzaga...don't they always at least win the first round?  

I listended to some fool and took Albany.  Ugh.    

Finally BYU and Creighton gave it a good run...but it wasnt enough.

Ok so round one is done, now it's time for my boys to shine.  Go Aggies, Go Salukis!

P.S. The Big Ten survived.

Anvil Head

Earning the nickname "Anvil Head". He has broken over 200 face masks to date, which works out to more than one per game. Despite playing just 13 games due to injury in 2004, he broke 20 face masks on that season.  

So long Corey Schlesinger.  He has signed with the Dolphins.  No doubt he'll get some touches and help Ronnie Brown blossom.   It will haunt the Lions like most players who leave do.

Corey was a class act, and a fan favorite.  Amazing how he didnt get one carry this past season. How does a brilliant mastermind like Martz not use a fullback?  Oops my bad, that is for playoff teams.  I keep forgetting.

#30...one of the true players you could actually identify with.

The Dance

Alright here are my final four picks:

Midwest: I have Florida ousting Wisconsin. Oregon is the sleeper.
East: I have NC edging Georgetown..although I'd like Texas to go there.
South: OSU beating out Texas A&M...but the sentimental favorite is Louisville.
West: I have UCLA beating out Kansas, but I wouldnt be surprised if Duke snuck in.

Awesome baby.

I love March Madness...the first 2 rounds are very fun to watch. I recommend taking a long lunch when the first games start and making a go of it.  

P.S. It sucks Notre Dame and OSU are so good, and Michigan can't get in.  UGH!

TJ in the mix

Free agent running back T.J. Duckett has signed a contract with the Lions.  ESPN is reporting that Duckett's deal is a one-year offer that will pay the former first-round draft choice between $1.5 million-$2 million for the 2007 season.

This must mean that KJ isnt as healthy as reports indicate.  With Tatum Bell, TJ, Calhoun, and KJ...there's an awkward mix going on back there.  

No doubt TJ is the goal line guy...he just doesnt seem like a Martz type back.  I've seen stranger things out of Allen Park.

Bly Bye

I know I have to let it go...or rather him go, but I just have to mention this.  Dre Bly is upset that he wasnt traded to the Redskins.   Well the Skins didnt offer what the Broncos did.   Drey wanted the contract naturally, rather than be on a winner.   Well he's going to be opposite of Champ Bailey, and aint no one going to throw at Champ.   So Bly will get his looks, lots of them.  He can then capitalize on good play.   Put your money where your mouth is for once Dre...just do it.

The Bucs have Simms, Garcia, Plummer, and Gradkowski as their QBs...although Plummer said he may retire.   Interesting.  I like Simms, but I guess Gruden doesnt.  How can you dis the Mac QB?
Garcia played damn good that's for sure for the Eagles.  By the way, why did the Eagles choose Feely over Garcia?

Ok so if I'm the Raiders, I do this. I trade Randy Moss to Atlanta for Matt Shaub.  I then draft Johnson at WR to take over for Moss.  Atlanta then has Moss/Vick combo...that would be a good sell, along with a new head coach.  Ok I'm just saying.

The Lions have 4 5th round picks. Start wheeling and dealing...let's go. You need picks in the top 3 rounds, not 5th.   The Lions are interested in talking to Tico Duckett.  Hmmm?

Are you kidding me???

 
The Lions made a good trade.  The Lions made a good trade. The Lions made a good trade.
There's no place like home.  We arent in Kansas anymore kids.  They traded Dre Bly for
Tatum Bell, George Foster and a 5th round pick to the Broncos.  Wow..not bad considering they
were going to get rid of Bly anyways.    

Now what?  Do they skip on Adrian Peterson because they have 2 backs, or is KJ's injury so bad
they go with AP and Bell?  You can't draft Joe Thomas...too risky wasting that kind of money on
an Oline that early.   JeMarcus Russel is a freak!  Can't take a QB that early or can you?

Or maybe you take what you got, and use it to trade down, and get more players.  So essentially
you move Bell, you get Peterson, and you get another pick or two in the draft - all defense.

Possibly you trade with the Falcons so they can get Johnson at WR, then we get Shaub.  But then they love Kitna.   Alot of speculation as to what is next and what can be done?   Then again Millen could take friggin Brady Quinn and ruin everything.  I wouldnt be surprised.  I dont think
he has the balls to get after Johnson to get another WR.   

Word on the street is, they will be signing Kevin Curtis...so that Rams North can continue to be built.   Hey, Eric Moulds and Joe Horn are available.  I'd take them over Curtis.  Well maybe not Moulds...but I always have liked tall WRs.

What will the Raiders do? They could use a QB...then they want to trade Moss, so they could get Johnson...then will the Lions take Russell?  And have Kitna groom him ala Carson Palmer?  I may be able to live with that.

Bertuesday

Trading frenzy in the NHL....25 deals go down.  With all the bad things about the NHL..the one
thing every year you can count on, besides a good playoff is trading deadline day.  No other
sport comes close (except for NFL draft day).

Guerin to the Sharks will really help them.  The West with Forsberg in it and Bertuzzi...will beat up on each other.  Should be a very interesting playoff run.  

Bertuzzi to the Wings.  I like it alot.  I think it will give them what they need, some protection, and more space for the smaller twirps to make something happen.  Another Holmstrom, only biggger.  If he is healthy...game on!

I am very surprised that the Oilers moved Ryan Smith to the Islanders.   I think Gary Roberts and LaRock will help protect the youngsters in Pitt as well.  Nice move for them.

Yanic Perrault back to the Leafs...is there room there?  

The Wings getting Calder I think will really help them as well.  I dont know how Holland does it, but he is good with trading.  I cant stand to listen to him talk, but the man does come through.

The Sabres get Zubrus...as if they needed more scoring.   

What trades did you like?

Shoot me now

The Lions are interested in drafting a QB.

"Jon has been terrific, but that doesn't mean you don't draft a quarterback," Offensive coordinator Mike Martz said.

Let's see...the Lions are run by a former tv commentator...their head coach is a line coach...their Oline Coordinator is a former head coach, and their D Coordinator is a back coach.  That's just fundamentally backwards...so drafting a qb shocks me?  No, but shoot me now please.  Someone.

Mock Mock Mock Draft

Mock Mock Mock suedem shoe!

Lions President and GM said this in an interview at the NFL combine at Indy; " I'm a wide reciever's expert". He also said something to the effect that "in case you haven't noticed, we don't listen to what other people have to think"...regarding if the Lions were to take Johnson in the draft.

Obvioulsy a sad attempt at humor on his part, yet arrogant in nature because it just aint funny.  he aint funny.  His 24 and 73 record, or whatever it is...is so sad it aint funny.

Word on the street is prospect O-Lineman from Wisconsin John Thomas would like to play for the Lions.  Ok people, that should be a sign to not draft him.  Clearly he can't think properly.
Another rumor is the Cardinals swapping picks from to move up, they have the fifth round, and
giving the Lions a second or third.   I'm always for trading down in the draft, then again
does it matter?

The Big Wheel

Lance Parrish

Former Tiger catcher Lance Parrish was recently hired to become the manager of the Dodgers new Single-A affiliate, the Great Lakes Loons. The Loons will be playing in a brand new stadium in Midland, Michigan in 2007.

Lance Michael Parrish, aka "Big Wheel," (born June 15, 1956 in Clairton, Pennsylvania) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers (1977-1986), Philadelphia Phillies (1987-1988), California Angels (1989-1992), Seattle Mariners (1992), Cleveland Indians (1993), Pittsburgh Pirates (1994), and the Toronto Blue Jays (1995). Parrish was also with the Los Angeles Dodgers in spring training 1993.

His best season was 1982 when he hit .284 and blasted 32 home runs. He was also the clean-up hitter for the Tigers when they won the 1984 World Series.  Parrish was an eight-time All-Star (1980, 1982-86, 1988, 1990), and he won three Gold Glove Awards (1983-85).

When acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent before the 1986 season, the Phillies made their slogan for the season "Lance us a Pennant." He quickly fell out of favor with the Philadelphia fans and media in his second season there as a result of poor offensive output, ranking near the bottom of full time MLB players in 1988 with a .215 batting average.

Since retiring, Parrish has served as both Third Base Coach and Bullpen Coach for the Detroit Tigers, along with a stint in the broadcast booth in 2002.  Prior to the Midland gig, Lance most recently was with the Dodgers organization to manage the Ogden Raptors at the Rookie league level.

Parrish has two sons in professional baseball. His oldest son, David Parrish, was selected in the first round of the 2000 amateur draft by the New York Yankees. His son, Matt Parrish, is in the Tigers minor league system, and has the nickname "Hubcap" in reference to his father's nickname "Big Wheel."

National Boring Association

I try and I try, I can't get no...no satisfaction.  

Ok so watched the NBA skills and slam dunk festivities.  It was boring, boring, and boring.  The NBA has lost its luster, and I don't know how to fix it.   The slam dunk competition is a joke.  
With the NHL I can pin point the problems...it is very easy.  With the NBA...I dont know what it
is.  Is it the hypocrite David Stern?  Is it punks like Hardaway?  It is the glitz of Shaq? Is it the
anti-Detroit sentinment around the league?  I'm sure it is probably a little of all of those.    

Too bad too...I love the game of basketball, and I'm looking forward to March Madness.  The
NBA I could care less about.

I did get a kick out of watching old footage of Dr. J.    Was there a more exciting player than he
during his time?  David Thompson was pretty close.

How can the NBA be fixed?   Tell me!