Today, I had many things to think about and a whole lot of time. So I am going to compare some of my eating achievements to recent Detroit sporting moments.
#1
When I was in 5th grade, the high school attached to my elementary school had a fundraiser at Buddy's pizza in Detroit. It was all you can eat pizza for 10 dollars. With me always being a bigger child/man, I decided you know what, I will eat all I can eat. I ate 12 pieces of pizza (the equivalent of a large and a half).
Buddy's AYCE day = Chris Shelton's start to the 2006 season
Everyone in Detroit remembers Chris Shelton's start to the '06 campaign, hitting 9 HRs in the first 13 games of the season. Shelton then hit 7 over his next 102 games until he was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Sean Casey. Then he spent the rest of the year in Triple-A and was in AAA until his recent appearance with the Texas Rangers. He was designated for assingnment meaning he has to be traded, released, or out-righted to the minors in 10 days. The up- and-comer finally making an impression and then fading quickly and making a tiny comeback. That's my story of buddy's pizza/ Chris Shelton
#2
In part of the moving out process of my last apartment, we needed to get rid of all of our food and what-not. Well, there was a little more than half of a bottle of Kroger brand LIGHT maple syrup. My roommates dares me to chug it. my natural response was "for how much?" Then started the fundraisiing portion of the night. It ended up being like 15 bucks in cash and a 12 dollars on a gift card to pizza hut. Obviously, it went down. They gave me 2 minutes to drink it, I think I was done in a little over a minute. It was interesting but not as impressive and satisfying as everyone made it to be.
Light Maple Chug = 2006 playoffs for the Detroit Tigers
The Tigers postseason started off well getting rid of the Yankees and Athletics by going 7-1 in the two series. It went down smooth and easy playing good defense and hitting really well. Then in the end, it seemed like it was all smoke and mirrors because in the World Series the defense and the hitting disappeared. That left much of the fan base not so satisfied with what seemed like was going to be an impressive cakewalk to a World Series Championship.
#3
A couple of years ago, my roommates and friends bet me that I couldn't (or wouldn't) order a 9 patty burger from Wendy's VALUE MEAL and eat it. Well, not only did I order it, I accidentally ordered it biggie sized. They had to place the burger on a salad plate and wrap it with plastic wrap because none of the foil wrappers could cover it. Well, it took a while for me to eat it( a little over an hour). It was greasy, but it had to be conquered.
9 patty burger from Wendy's = Brawl at the Palace
The brawl at the Palace between the Pacers and Pistons was one of the most memorable things that happened for the Detroit sports scene in the past 5 years. And the sports world won't let Detroit forget it. Every time I see Jermaine O'Neal, which has been a lot this week because of his trade, I think of him flying in and throwing that punch at that one guy. completely knocked him out. I head Howard Cosell saying "DOWN GOES RANDOM FAN!! DOWN GOES RANDOM FAN!!" As the sports world won't let Detroit forget the Brawl, I won't let my friends forget the 9 patty burger.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Tigers:More or Less Frustrating Than '94 to '05?
As I start this, the Tigers have lost their 4th game via a walk-off of some sorts on this road trip. Maybe they take a gem by the starter and not score a run for him(May 26 @ LAA Angels).Maybe they will take an early lead and then not get any more runs over the next 8 innings(May 27th @ LAA Angels). When they are not losing in walk-off fashion, they will win a game by scoring 7 runs in the top of the first inning, not score anymore, then nearly blow the lead over the rest of the nine innings. Then they will follow up that effort by getting two-hit and keep the scoreless streak going 'til it hits the 17 inning mark. (May 29th,30th @ Seattle)
These are a lot of the same things that happened to the Tigers during their stretch of 12 losing seasons from '94 to '05.
-Then, the tigers were throwing out lineups with greats such as Shane Halter, Joe Randa, Robert Fick, and Wendell Magee. Payroll around 40 million dollars
-Now, The tigers are throwing out an All-Star at almost every position. Payroll around 140 million dollars
-Then, the tigers lose a game in extra innings, 5-4, by a walkoff infield single and it was cute because they shouldn't have even been that close. And really, do you expect Deivi Cruz to make EVERY play?
-Now, the tigers lose a game in extras,5-4, on an infield single and its frustrating because the Tigers walked 10 batters and they left 15 runners on base(including 9 in scoring position).
-Then, the tigers would lose a game 7-0 and their ace is the starter that day. Come on now, Brian Moehler, you can do better than that.
-Now, the tigers lose a game 7-0 and their ace is on the mound. Justin Verlander, Cy-Young runner up, gave up those runs on 6 hits. And the All Star offense didn't get a hit off of GAVIN FLOYD until the 8th inning.
-Then, the tigers win a game 19-6, Tony clark went 4-4 with two HRs, and you were happy that Justin Thompson, Doug Brocail, and Matt Anderson were able to limit the other team to 6 runs. The next night the team loses 3-0 and people are saying that that is the Tigers they know and love.
-Now, the tigers win a game 19-6, and everyone is starting to feel that the tigers are starting to turn a corner, then they lose 14 of the next 21 and people are don't know the tigers team that they love.
Its not cute anymore, Detroit Tigers.The payroll is up between 90 and 100 million dollars, which makes every loss 90 to 100 million times as fristrating.
This sounds like a panic attack entry, and IT IS. When do people stop saying "its early in the season just give them time"? Its 58 games into the season. There is still 104 games left. But the tigers are now 24-34. I am not confident enough that the Tigers can go 66-38 to finish with 90 wins and a realistic shot at a playoff berth at the end of the season.
These are a lot of the same things that happened to the Tigers during their stretch of 12 losing seasons from '94 to '05.
-Then, the tigers were throwing out lineups with greats such as Shane Halter, Joe Randa, Robert Fick, and Wendell Magee. Payroll around 40 million dollars
-Now, The tigers are throwing out an All-Star at almost every position. Payroll around 140 million dollars
-Then, the tigers lose a game in extra innings, 5-4, by a walkoff infield single and it was cute because they shouldn't have even been that close. And really, do you expect Deivi Cruz to make EVERY play?
-Now, the tigers lose a game in extras,5-4, on an infield single and its frustrating because the Tigers walked 10 batters and they left 15 runners on base(including 9 in scoring position).
-Then, the tigers would lose a game 7-0 and their ace is the starter that day. Come on now, Brian Moehler, you can do better than that.
-Now, the tigers lose a game 7-0 and their ace is on the mound. Justin Verlander, Cy-Young runner up, gave up those runs on 6 hits. And the All Star offense didn't get a hit off of GAVIN FLOYD until the 8th inning.
-Then, the tigers win a game 19-6, Tony clark went 4-4 with two HRs, and you were happy that Justin Thompson, Doug Brocail, and Matt Anderson were able to limit the other team to 6 runs. The next night the team loses 3-0 and people are saying that that is the Tigers they know and love.
-Now, the tigers win a game 19-6, and everyone is starting to feel that the tigers are starting to turn a corner, then they lose 14 of the next 21 and people are don't know the tigers team that they love.
Its not cute anymore, Detroit Tigers.The payroll is up between 90 and 100 million dollars, which makes every loss 90 to 100 million times as fristrating.
This sounds like a panic attack entry, and IT IS. When do people stop saying "its early in the season just give them time"? Its 58 games into the season. There is still 104 games left. But the tigers are now 24-34. I am not confident enough that the Tigers can go 66-38 to finish with 90 wins and a realistic shot at a playoff berth at the end of the season.
The Witch Hunt Begins
The Pistons lost to Boston in 6 games. This marks the third straight year the pistons have lost in the Eastern Conference Finals in 6 games. People don't try to make it to the conference finals every year, they try to lift that Larry O'Brien trophy at the end of the year. Its the 1st time they lost the series in which they did not have home court advantage. So naturally, let the shake up begin.
Today the Pistons announced Flip Saunders will not be returning as head coach and Michael Curry has been tabbed as his successor by some media members. I think this might be a record of sorts if he takes the job though. Curry was a starter on the 2002-03 team (the first of the 6 straight trips to the East. Con. Finals) to the head coach of the 08-09 Pistons team. He could be coaching three teammates he had (Rip hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince).
If Curry gets the job, expect current assistant Terry Porter to find work elsewhere (maybe Phoenix?), because the Pistons will have passed over a guy with head coaching experience that lead his team to the playoffs in a year they weren't supposed to for a guy who has been an assistant for 2 years.
It can't only be the coaches' fault though, and Joe Dumars said today that "Everyone is in play" when it comes to trade talks. The Pistons need to add a threat on the post because Rasheed Wallace has made it his prerogative to wander around the three-point line for 95 percent of every game. Maybe, the 'stones can start to rely on Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell a little bit more. They both have great athletic ability and good potential to learn to be a reliable post presence on both sides of the floor.
The Pistons will also probably look to get rid of one of the trio of Billups, Prince, and Hamilton. I don't think the pistons can get rid of Prince, he's too young and has been billed as the future for about four years now. The only way I like getting rid of Billups is somehow trading him to Miami for the no.2 pick so they can take beasley or rose. Other than that the guy that needs to go is Hamilton. That way stuckey can get more playing time and the pistons will be able to play two "combo" guards in Chauncey and Rodney Stuckey and still have a defensive stopper in Tayshaun.
This summer should be a summer of moving and shaking for the Pistons because they have shown that they just don't have whatever it is to get over that hump and into the finals for a chance for that nice and shiny trophy.
Today the Pistons announced Flip Saunders will not be returning as head coach and Michael Curry has been tabbed as his successor by some media members. I think this might be a record of sorts if he takes the job though. Curry was a starter on the 2002-03 team (the first of the 6 straight trips to the East. Con. Finals) to the head coach of the 08-09 Pistons team. He could be coaching three teammates he had (Rip hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince).
If Curry gets the job, expect current assistant Terry Porter to find work elsewhere (maybe Phoenix?), because the Pistons will have passed over a guy with head coaching experience that lead his team to the playoffs in a year they weren't supposed to for a guy who has been an assistant for 2 years.
It can't only be the coaches' fault though, and Joe Dumars said today that "Everyone is in play" when it comes to trade talks. The Pistons need to add a threat on the post because Rasheed Wallace has made it his prerogative to wander around the three-point line for 95 percent of every game. Maybe, the 'stones can start to rely on Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell a little bit more. They both have great athletic ability and good potential to learn to be a reliable post presence on both sides of the floor.
The Pistons will also probably look to get rid of one of the trio of Billups, Prince, and Hamilton. I don't think the pistons can get rid of Prince, he's too young and has been billed as the future for about four years now. The only way I like getting rid of Billups is somehow trading him to Miami for the no.2 pick so they can take beasley or rose. Other than that the guy that needs to go is Hamilton. That way stuckey can get more playing time and the pistons will be able to play two "combo" guards in Chauncey and Rodney Stuckey and still have a defensive stopper in Tayshaun.
This summer should be a summer of moving and shaking for the Pistons because they have shown that they just don't have whatever it is to get over that hump and into the finals for a chance for that nice and shiny trophy.
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