The Return of Rodman

I was never more proud to be a Piston fan than I was on April 1^st, 2011.

The Detroit faithful gave a warm “welcome back” to Dennis Rodman as he watched his No. 10 was lifted high above the Palace floor.  The Worm broke down crying multiple times, in both the pre-game presser and during the actual ceremony. He told the media he didn’t know if he was worthy of such an honor, and wished he had stayed longer in a city that loved him more than he ever thought possible. Rodman was never the cleanest, or most popular, but he was OUR guy.  He embodied “Goin’ To Work” before it was a catchphrase, and set the table for guys like Ben Wallace to succeed in the NBA. Even when he played for the Jordan’s Bulls, some the most hated teams in Piston history, fans still remembered his contributions to Detroit.  They remembered the blocks, the game-saving charges, and the blood/sweat/tears he gave for (at that point) the only two titles in team history.

Detroit is a great many things, but “forgetful” is not one of them.

True to form, just as they had not forgotten the contributions of Rodman, Piston fans did not forget the indiscretions of Karen Davidson. When she was introduced to the Palace crowd at halftime, Davidson was booed with an intensity to match the cheers for The Worm.  Davidson has tried selling the Pistons for the past two years and still hasn’t found a suitor.  She had the chance to sell the team to Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch, (a move that would have made her a hero in the eyes of Detroiters), only to watch a potential deal evaporate after Davidson’s projections reportedly didn’t match what the Ilitches found in the team’s books.  She agreed to exclusive negotiations with Tom Gores for two weeks in February, only two have those two weeks expire with fans left wondering who owned the team. No deal was made at the time.  This has left the franchise in limbo, with the front office in a holding pattern (no new moves or drastic changes to the cap) until a buyer can be found.

Was it unfair to boo the woman who only became owner of the Pistons due to the death of her husband two years ago? Perhaps. There are certainly arguments to be made for that case. I understand that, aside from his family, the Pistons were likely the second love in Bill Davidson’s life and letting go of that is difficult.  But ask yourself this: If Karen Davidson can’t sell the home they shared in Aspen, CO, what makes you think she can sell this team any time soon?  Why couldn’t  she sell a team that she he repeatedly stated she has absolutely no interest in owning? Times in Detroit are hard, and Pistons fans scrape by what little money they have to attend games. With all due respect, blue-collar fans don’t want to see a billionaire widow quibble over millions of dollars while they pay 10 dollars for parking and their team is hand-cuffed to mediocrity until the proper asking price is reached.

As I watched with interest from 3,000 miles away, Pistons fans turned out to honor one of the all-time greats and expressed their displeasure with the current state of a once-great franchise. The patrons were nothing less than the Worm in his heyday:

Loud and proud.

365 Days Later

What a difference a year makes.

This past Friday, I celebrated my one-year anniversary at KYMA.  I know people will always tell you “it feels like Event X was only yesterday,” but hitting the one-year mark for me was slightly different.  I’ve learned so much in the past year, to the point where it seems like I did my first story at KYMA five years ago.   But I also vividly remember my first day when I left Detroit for good, and saw Ann Arbor and the Big House from my window seat as the plane began its climb. I can also distinctly recall inhaling my first deep breath of desert air as I stepped off my connecting flight.  Maybe the passage of time seems so odd because the seasons never change in Yuma, Arizona.  The weather here ranges from “hot” to “blazing inferno.”  This was my first year without winter, spring, and fall. Maybe my body felt as if I were stuck in time.

Before I got my job as Sports Director at KYMA, I was applying to every news station and sports channel that had an opening. Each time I got a rejection notice, or no call back at all, it made me a little bitter.  I went from just wanting a job, to now also wanting a chance to show those other stations what they missed out on.

Now, after a year, the bitterness is gone. I’ll never be able to fully thank my news director and my general manager for taking a literal risk in hiring me.  I had never met either of them before, and all they had before offering me the job was my demo DVD and two over-the-phone interviews.  It was a leap of faith, and one I won’t soon forget.  My resentment toward unemployment was transformed to now wanting to show my bosses that they would never doubt the chance they took on the kid who was shoveling 8 inches of snow off his driveway when the Desert Southwest came calling.  That’s why it meant so much to me when I was told I had won the 2011 Associated Press Radio and Television Mark Twain award for Best Sports Reporting and Best Sports Videography (see below). I finally had the opportunity to give back to the station that gave me a chance.

I’ve been fortunate to cover some great events. From flying with the Marines at 10,000 feet, to interviewing Coach Mike Krzyzewski one-on-one during USA Training Camp, it’s been a great run.  I didn’t blog much last year because I wanted to make sure I gave KYMA my full attention. I think I have obtained a good balance over that time. Hopefully you’ll hear from me more in 2011.

Thanks to everyone for their support in the past year. Many of you have helped me reach this point.  For my mentors, colleagues, family, and friends, you constantly push me to be a better reporter. I am forever grateful. Here’s toasting to great things in 2011-12 for everyone out there.

Cheers,

Matt Boyer

Michigan Football: “Your Team”

Your team...for better, or for worse

For most cities across the U.S., only the weather can collectively lower, or raise, the spirits of its citizens this time of year.

In Ann Arbor, the weather is an afterthought. These people walk to class in two feet of snow.

In Ann Arbor, football is what matters.

Football sets the mood on campus for much of the week.  There are moments during every student’s academic career when one or two Wolverine football games define your stay Michigan.  Your friends refer to these games as “THE (fill in Big Ten school) Game.” Sure, Michigan might play a certain school four times in four years, but you know exactly which game that person is referring to because of what took place. It’s an adoption of sorts.  By standing out in the lightning, rain, snow, and hail during four consecutive seasons, students take ownership for what transpires on the field.  For me, (2005-2008) it was THE Penn State game (Henne to Manningham with 0:00 vs PSU) and THE App State game (the low).  For all the students before me in the 2000′s,  it was the Triple OT win vs MSU (aka THE Braylon Game).

THE Game, circa 2004

For all the students currently at Michigan, the triple OT win against Illinois will always be “their game.”  For kids like my brother (2008-present), they finally got what they dreamed of since they saw their names on an acceptance letter: a defining moment of Wolverine football.

Was it ugly? Yes. Will Michigan have a new defensive coordinator next season? No question (and more on this later in the week).  And while most alumni will look down on the current students for celebrating a bowl eligible season, consider this fact: Half of the undergraduate students currently enrolled have seen no more than five victories TOTAL in Big Ten play  since they arrived in Ann Arbor.  While most people like me were lucky enough to see more than 20 wins overall, this is the only world these students know.

These kids will never see their team play for a spot in the National Championship game like many of us did (vs. OSU in 2006).  While they are still enrolled as undergrads, they will never make flight plans to Pasadena for January 1^st, or wave roses in celebration after their final game in Michigan Stadium.  This is the  current reality (for better or worse) of Michigan Football.

So to all the current U of M students: celebrate your bowl eligibility. Buy tickets to your postseason game, and make those hurried travel arrangements while studying for final exams.  It might not be a Rose Bowl, but is still your game…just like that Triple OT thriller against Illinois will always be your game.

Whether or not December brings rain or snow is uncertain. At least you know football will be in the forecast.

Denard Robinson and The Pat White Effect

The QB Formerly Known as "Pat White"

I pray to God that Denard Robinson is not Pat White.

How many times following the Michigan/UConn game this past week did you hear a commentator refer to “Pat White” and “Denard Robinson” in the same sentence? Enough to make you mildly frustrated with the amount of times it was brought up? Join the club. I’ve read many articles on the game and you will be hard pressed to find writings that do not invoke the name of the former West Virginia quarterback. Don’t get me wrong, this is quite a compliment for Robinson. White averaged over 1,000 yards rushing per season in his time at WVU. He helped lift that program to new heights.  However, with that in mind :

What NFL team did Pat White belong to when Denard Robinson took his first snap on Saturday?

The answer: White didn’t have a team. He was cut by the Dolphins mere HOURS before the first snap at the Big House. Apparently, the former WVU standout  is having difficulty finding work as well. The headline “No one is interested in Pat White” splashed across the ticker on Pro Football Talk on Tuesday evening, and PFT even reported White’s NFL journey as a QB might end here.  It’s ironic, especially when you consider the man taking the snaps behind center for the Miami Dolphins this season will be former Michigan quarterback (and Lloyd Carr recruit) Chad Henne.

Hellooo, Fantasy Sleeper Pick

I’m not here to stoke the fire that has become the “RichRod vs. Lloyd” debate.  As far as winning that debate goes, you would have greater luck in convincing a group of straight men to watch “Eat, Pray, Love” by themselves. I’ll take my Week One win, give credit to this 2010 Michigan team, and be as happy as the next blue blood.  But the question remains:  Going forward, with more teams utilizing the spread, how much will “producing successful pro players” mean for recruits deciding on a university? Is the Pat White comparison one that you want for a Michigan guy? The two biggest offensive products from WVU in Rodriguez’s time were Steve Slaton and Pat White: White is now unemployed and Slaton has been reduced to kick returns/back up for journeyman Arian Foster.

Look, I understand the “college game” and the “pro game” are two entirely different animals.  Some analysts will tell you that they are two entirely different sports. Will Denard Robinson be an NFL quarterback? All signs point to “No” based on his height and arm strength…but maybe he’s Antwaan Randle-El.  Yes, the spread offense has proven to work well for Rich Rodriguez in the past; but don’t discount how much the specter of the NFL hangs over what goes on in college football.  If you are being recruited to play college football, the natural next step is being given the opportunity to earn a living playing in the pros.

The man has a Super Bowl ring. Respect.

Many of the top tier programs use their NFL pedigree as a recruiting tool.  Rich Rodriguez lacks that same pedigree.  Michigan fans always knew this, but Pat White hitting the unemployment line at the same time “The Next Pat White” emerged onto the national scene really hammered it home for me.  How much weight does it really carry? I don’t know, but it still bothers me to see these guys flame-out at the next level. I’m curious to see how much of a factor this becomes as the evolution of Michigan football continues.

As we hit Week Two, I hope Denard Robinson’s career path does not run parallel with Pat White’s NFL journey. Hopefully, this run-and-gun college success story has a happy ending.

Hope

The Drought Ends Now

I'm back like the Maize and Blue in '10!

1) Welcome Back! I’m going to try and get back to writing more, even though it has been difficult. I got a text from my buddy Hecky that said “Hey, I noticed you don’t blog anymore.”

No! I’m still a blogger! I just haven’t written anything in…holy s—! I need to get back to writing.

The biggest reason for the lack of blog posts hasn’t been the lack of interesting events, but rather just finding time to sit down and write.  During the end of July and thru August, I threw myself into the high school football scene here (more on that later), and sometimes traveled over an hour to get to all of the high schools.  It’s been an amazing experience, but getting home at 2 AM after a 12 hour day isn’t ideal for trying to produce thoughtful writing.

But, that’s over with….I’m back…I think…We’ll see how this goes…

Greatest. Team name. Ever

2) Time Flies When You’re Having Fun: As of September, I’ll have been in Yuma, AZ for 6 months. A friend said moving out here would be an adventure, and he wasn’t kidding. I’m putting together a huge list of things I’ve done up to this point, as well as some of the stories I’ve worked on since I’ve been here. A few quick hits of what to expect:

- I miss driving in Detroit: I was lucky enough to lease a vehicle in Yuma that calculates my car’s average speed over the course of a set time period. Since I’ve owned the car, my average speed is 21 mph.  Chalk it up to most roads having 35mph speed limits and all the “snow birds” that reside here (nice way of saying “old people who only live here in the winter”)  I can only imagine what winter will bring.

- A friend of mine just moved away from Yuma, and said his one regret was not shelling out the $180 bucks and playing Torrey Pines just once (San Diego is two hours away). If I have any choice in the matter, I won’t be making his mistake.

-Best Place I’ve Visited: San Diego. A dream destination for yours truly.

- Best Food Since I’ve Been in Yuma: A small outdoor diner in Mexicali, MEX. No idea what I had (a friend ordered for me), but it was fantastic.

- Highlight of my experience so far? Too many great moments to count, but “Interviewing Coach Mike Krzyzewski while covering USA Hoops in Las Vegas” is definitely in my Top Three moments.

The lists aren’t complete, but look for that post in two weeks when I officially hit “6 Months in Yuma.”

3) Sept. 11^th: We are nine years removed from September 11^th, 2001. At work, we went around and recalled where each of us were when we heard the news. One person was rushing to get to his news station. One person was in college.

I was in 9^th grade Spanish class at Notre Dame Prep. It seems like yesterday, but so much has happened between then and now.  Since both Yuma and San Diego both have large amounts of military personnel, my thoughts and prayers go out to all those who serve.

Speaking of high school…

4) High School Reunion: It’s been five years since I’ve graduated high school. While I still look to young enough to get carded at an R-rated movie, I still have a hard time believing it has only been five years. To be honest, it feels a lot longer than that (which I’m not sure is good or bad). Recently, my five year class reunion was planned and, due to my location/work schedule, I won’t be able to attend. But this got me thinking: For those people who I haven’t talked to in five years, how much info do I want to know that Facebook couldn’t tell me?  For people my age, Facebook really took the entire “reunion” process and made it digital.  At a reunion, chances are you see a former classmate in this brief instance, exchange what I call “surface information” (school, job, location, and marital status) and then not see each other again until the next reunion. Isn’t this the stuff FB is supposed to provide you with? Anyways, at the slim chance someone I graduated with is reading this, hope things have gone well since we parted ways and best of luck in the future.

5) Body Of Work: Since I’ve arrived Yuma, I’ve had an opportunity to do a ton of great stories. Everything from World Cup interviews with friends in South Africa (Thanks, Coop!) to flying with the Marines and the famous “Black Sheep Squadron” VMA-214.  They all have been great, but some of my best work has been the high school stuff I worked on recently. I don’t think I have ever been more proud to put my name to something than these stories.  When I got here, my bosses told me that the story that got me in the door was “the feature you did on a high school coach (Former Lion Lomas Brown at Notre Dame Prep).” That story is the standard I compare all my stories to, and I can honestly say some of the recent stuff lives up to, or beats that standard. Thanks to all the photogs who have worked on the “FNL: Preseason Tour”series.

Below is a link to my personal page (click on my picture).  Feel free to watch all the stories, but I recommend the “Preseason Tour” videos for Kofa, Yuma Catholic, Antelope, and the Central Spartans. Also, the newest FNL Mid-Week with Cibola is one I enjoyed doing. Let me know which is your favorite.

Here are the best stories so far

That’s it for now. I wanted this post to be like an “exhibition game” to get me back in the habit of writing and to get my “writing voice” back in shape. Now that NFL, high school, and Michigan football are all back in action, it should make for some good material. Keep checking back for more posts.

Until then…

Yes, THAT Yuma. Just like the movie

Playing With Fire: Joel Zumaya’s Journey

"Zoom Zoom"

There are three things I keep on the nightstand in my apartment:

1) a lamp

2) an alarm clock

3) a baseball autographed by Joel Zumaya

Of all the things on that list, the Joel Zumaya baseball is my most important possession.

In the spring of 2006, I was a freshman at Michigan and still living in the dorms. The Tigers were coming off a mediocre 2005 season and expectations were low. How low, you ask? The Tigers couldn’t even get all their home games on television.

The Tigers were like the Blackhawks before Chicago won the Stanley Cup, back when Chi-towners acted like their team didn’t exist. This year, I’m positive I saw a few Chicago jerseys with the price tags still attached during the Finals.  Alas, I digress.

Because of a spacey television schedule, and a lack of baseball for 6 months, Detroit’s opening series became appointment viewing for me.  In their first game against Kansas City, the Tigers debuted a relief pitcher that had been in their farm system since 2002.  This rookie was a well-built pitcher with no shortage of tattoos. When he entered the game, Tigers play-by-play man Mario Impemba  ran through his stats with nothing standing out.  The no-name pitcher from San Diego stepped to the mound, stared down the catcher for the signal, and threw a bullet that popped the mitt of Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez.

“SSSSSSSSSSSSNAAAP!”

The stadium radar gun flashed this number across its screen: 101 mph.

Joel Zumaya had arrived.

The crowd at Kauffman Stadium “oooooooh”-ed and “ahhhh”-ed. I could picture Tiger fans everywhere salivating at the chance that they had found their closer for the future. Zumaya became a cult-like figure at every Tigers home game. Every time Joel started to take warm-up pitches in Comerica Park’s left field bullpen, the people in the outfield seats would rise to their feet, just to get a glimpse of the boy with the fireball arm.  And when Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child” would blare over the loud speakers, escorting Zumaya from the pen to the mound, it would always be the loudest ovation any player would get that night. The pitcher with flames tattooed around the wrist of his pitching hand had ignited the interest of a fan base that had fallen on hard times.

His star rose quickly in Detroit. Due to his limited control of both his curveball and heater, Joel was used as a set-up man in the 7^th and 8^th innings where he could hone his pitching arsenal. He was a blue collar pitcher in a blue collar town.  When most relievers would use control to get out of jams, Zumaya would prefer to live or die with a “Grip it and Whip it” attitude.   In a place where cars are king, the Motor City could appreciate “power” over “finesse.”  It’s no surprise Joel has been one of my favorite player for the past four seasons.

"Faster than a speeding bullet"

In 2006, the Tigers would go on to win the American League pennant before losing to the Cardinals in the World Series. The following year, my buddy Shaak bought me a Joel Zumaya autographed baseball (probably just to get me to stop texting him every time Detroit’s Big Z took the mound). I put the ball in my bookcase, making sure it was prominently displayed.  “You know it’s only worth 20 dollars, right?” Shaak would later tell me, almost feeling sorry at how much I valued that signature. For me, it didn’t matter. Joel Zumaya had been my Tiger from day one.

During the 2007 season, Joel suffered an injury to his throwing hand early in the season and only played in 28 games. After rehabbing the injury, a 2008 “return to form” looked promising. But less than a month after the 2007 season ended, he suffered another odd injury. This time, doctors would need to reconstruct the AC joint after he hurt the shoulder trying to lift boxes from his home during the San Diego wildfires. It was a surgery that could end his career. However, even through all of that, he still managed to pitch 21 games that season.  He has sustained a lot of freak injuries; from playing Guitar Hero to shredding tendons in fingers in warm-ups. Each time, Joel Zumaya had somehow made it back.

Now, the kid with the fireball arm will somehow have to make it back again.  On June 29, Joel Zumaya sustained a fracture in his arm after throwing a 99mph fastball. He clutched his throwing arm after he released the ball, writhing in pain as the athletic trainers tried to help him off the field. The announcers used words like “bizarre” and “unusal”…words I had become too accustomed to hearing in reference to Zumaya’s health. When I heard the news, I was saddened and left to wonder if this was finally the injury that there was no coming back from.

Everyday I wake up, and I look at that nightstand in my bedroom. I hit the “OFF” button on the alarm clock, turn-on my lamp, and sit-up in bed. My eyes then turn to the Joel Zumaya baseball. It reminds me of how quick things can change. In an instant, you can go from being on top of the world to someone who could have had it all if things had been different. Every bad break that befell Joel Zumaya the past four years was not necessarily his fault.  If he had eased up on his fastball and developed more pitches, would things be different? Maybe. If he hadn’t tried to come back so quickly from all those injuries, could he have reached his potential? I don’t know. Whether it was or wasn’t his own doing, the result of his injuries remains unchanged.

I look at that baseball, sitting in its case, and I think of a man who has made the most of his own mortality. It’s a symbol of how quick  life can change, but it is also a symbol for making the most of what you are given. Joel Zumaya might not have reached his pitching-savior potential due to injury, but he still managed to become a good pitcher despite everything that happened to him.  Now, it looks as if he might not pitch again for a long time, if ever.  Nevertheless, the one thing I can say with certainty is  he will put 103 mph worth of effort into his rehab trying to make it back.

The day Shaak gave me that baseball, it was valued at $20. Today, I’m sure it is probably worth less than half that. But the reminder Joel Zumaya’s signature gives me everyday is a lesson you can’t put a price on.

The People's Pitcher

Ernie Harwell: The Man I Wish I Knew

I haven’t written a blog post in a long time. Maybe it’s because of my new job, or maybe it’s because writing had lost its luster for the time being . A few months ago, I promised myself that when Ernie Harwell passed away, I would write about our one chance encounter. However, as my encounter with Ernie taught me, never take an opportunity for granted.

So Long, Voice of Summer

Ernie Harwell is my biggest regret.

In May 2009, I was working as a sports broadcaster for WCBN and MGoBlue.com at the University of Michigan.  I was able to broadcast everything from football games at the Big House, to softball games at Alumni Field. However, it was the baseball games at Ray Fisher Stadium that I enjoyed the most, especially the Sunday games that began at noon.  I enjoyed walking down State Street, a straight-up black cup of coffee in my hand, before the students had gotten up from the typical late Saturday nights. In the quiet of a college town before noon, you could hear the “PING” from the bats in batting practice before you could even see the stadium.  Few things did I enjoy more than these walks.

I had always wanted to get a job in sports broadcasting, which is probably why I never minded getting up early on a weekend to do these games. Growing up, I loved watching Piston basketball games with my dad and having George Blaha’s voice carry through our living room up until it was time for bed.  Still, it was baseball that I first fell in love with as a kid.  The only thing better than playing in a little league game (and the trip to Dairy Queen that usually followed) was getting to hear the Detroit Tigers on the radio during the ride home.  That trip usually meant hearing Ernie Harwell on the call for WJR.

Harwell had a style all his own.  If you closed your eyes and pictured a summer evening, Harwell’s voice could have been used as the perfect soundtrack.  He was part common man, part baseball savant.  Ernie’s mind was a living baseball encyclopedia, with a story for every player and a stat for every instance a broadcast could be faced with dreaded “dead air time.” His smooth voice carried a broadcast with an easiness that I still marvel at to this day, having done many baseball games by myself and sometimes struggling to make it to the final out with no mistakes.  In short, he was a living legend, an icon, and one of the people I looked up to most in the sports world.

Back to Ann Arbor.

In one of my last broadcasts for the Wolverines, Ernie was invited to take in a game as the guest of honor in the brand new Fred Wilpon Baseball Complex where Michigan played their home games.  When I had gotten to the stadium an hour before the first pitch, I noticed an elderly man in the luxury box next to our broadcast booth, sitting with two men smiling and chatting away.  He was partially blocked from view, so I paid no attention to it. “Probably just another donor,” I thought to myself.  Fifteen minutes later, one of the ushers came up to me outside the media room, grinning from ear to ear.

“Do you know who that is in the luxury box today?” she said, still beaming ear to ear.

“No,” I replied, “Who is it?”

“That’s Ernie Harwell!” she exclaimed. “Why don’t you have him come on to your broadcast?”

At this point, my mind was racing. I was sharing a the upper box with a living legend and my childhood idol.  The thoughts were now racing through my head.  Should I have him come on our show? Does he want to be bothered? Is he physically capable to do this?

After a long deliberation, I decided not to ask Ernie to be on our show. (Yeah, I know I messed up. Don’t worry. I’ll only think about this until the day I die. Thank You.) I later found out he was there with his son (one of the men he was sitting with), and seeing them together made me not want to intrude.  After all, Ernie had been on the road as a broadcaster for 55 years of his life and only missed two games.  He deserved all the family time possible.  I intently watched Harwell between innings, in total awe that he was a spectator in a game I was calling on the radio. He still seemed to enjoy the game as much as he did in his younger years, often making comments to his smiling son all the while munching on “Popped Maize” from the concession stand.  I’d like to think it was the best broadcast of my career, inspired by the man sitting five feet to my left.

I never did get that introduction to Ernie Harwell. He left his luxury box before I was able to get off the air in order to say “hello.” I had so many things I wanted to ask him as a young reporter trying to break into the sports business.  “What’s the best advice you can give a guy like me?” or “How did you become the best at what you do? What’s your secret?” I figured that he’d be back again soon, if not at U of M then at least at Comerica Park, where I had planned on spending a good majority of my summer.

A few weeks after that, Ernie announced he had incurable cancer.  The news hit me like a ton of bricks.  I had missed my chance to meet my childhood idol and ask him all the questions about the secrets to this industry.  He would make a few more public appearances, but even those were limited.  When I accepted my current job in Yuma, I knew that when I left, it was likely that I would not be back in time to find Ernie before he passed.  I couldn’t believe I missed my shot.  Yesterday, Ernie Harwell passed away at the age of 92.

I never got to meet and talk with Ernie Harwell. Sometimes in life, (unfortunately) there are no second chances and this proved to be one of those instances. If I could do it all over again, I would have introduced myself to Ernie and shook his hand. I would tell him I admired him not for his syrupy voice or Hall of Fame career, but for the balance with which he lived his life.  Ernie was married to his beloved Lulu for 68 years, and even in the last years of his life, made sure he was surrounded by his family. Men of all ages recall some of their fondest memories as sharing baseball games with their fathers. Harwell was still able to do this with his kids into his 90’s.  Tiger fans always thought of Ernie as part of their own family while his voice filled their living rooms. But it was Ernie who never forgot about those people he came home to every night and saw him in the flesh.

I’d be proud to have half the career of Ernie Harwell’s. I’d be even more proud to have a life just like his.

Ohhhh, Johnny (Damon)!

After Johnny Damon donned the Olde English D for the first time at his press conference, he told the media that Detroit was the place he most wanted to come before signing his last contract with the New York Yankees.  That same Yankees team won the title last year.  Before that, it had been leaked by Damon’s agent Scott Boras that Johnny “loved octopi” and was a big hockey fan. Never mind the fact Damon grew up in Orlando and probably didn’t see too much ice.

Believe what you want about Johnny Damon from what we have heard this past week, but make sure you believe this: The Detroit Tigers are a far better team than they were last year with Johnny Damon on their roster.

The initial recoil at the idea of signing a 36 year old with a weak arm is understandable for most Tiger fans. After all, GM Dave Dombrowski traded the most popular athlete in Detroit for two guys most people couldn’t pick out of a police lineup.  Then again, based on the last six months of off-the-field incidents, maybe a police lineup is the MOST likely place Tiger fans would see their favorite players.  The off season hasn’t been kind to Tiger fans, so can you blame the Detroit faithful for being pessimistic? I sure can’t.

(Side Note: The other day I saw a photo of Curtis Granderson in his Yankee jersey at spring training, and I figured out the trade still hasn’t hit me. It feels like he is wearing a bad Halloween costume, or lost a bet. That said, I’m going to throw this photo in here so we can close the book on the last image we want to remember from Granderson’s days in the D.)

OK, now I have closure

But don’t write Damon off just yet.  When he was the wild-haired caveman, doing shots of Jack Daniel’s before games (allegedly), he was arguably the most popular player in the league. Damon wore his heart on his sleeve and was the hustle type player fans love to root for.  He wants to be here.  Say, didn’t Detroit’s last centerfielder have those same endearing qualities? The difference (aside from Damon playing left field) is at the plate.  Damon was better than Granderson in every statistical category at the plate except for HRs.  Sure, he played in Coors Field East out in NY, but that right field wall (Damon, like CG, is a pull hitter) is only 10 feet closer than the one in Detroit. And Damon hit .262 against lefties, compared to Granderson’s anemic .180.  One ESPN analyst called Granderson “a platoon player disguised as an everyday CF.” Harsh words, but words that Detroit fans will slowly repeat to themselves to get over the fact they lost a great guy off the field.

Maybe the best way to characterize the situation Johnny Damon brings is one of reluctant relief. I had an argument with one of my best friends this week about the Damon deal.  “I’m just so frustrated,” he sighed. “This team says it wants to cut salary, but the keep Ordonez.  They say they want to get younger, but they sign Damon.  It’s been a bipolar off season.” After relaying Damon’s stats over the past year, my buddy replied “Yeah, maybe it’ll work out. I loved him in Boston with the long hair. Think he’ll grow it out?”

This Tigers’ fan can only hope so.

Let’s Be Positive!!! Detroit Pistons at the Break

"No Mas"

In order to know where the Pistons are headed, it’s important to note where they are coming from:

• Significant injuries to Ben Gordon, Rip Hamilton, and Tayshaun Prince
• A 13 game losing streak
• $100 million worth of contracts on the Pistons bench. Starting lineup is barely worth $50 million.
• Needing a last second 3pter to avoid a franchise low in points (64) against Miami last Friday

It was at the Pistons game a week ago where I realized how far this franchise had fallen. Fans left during the first TV timeout of the third quarter. Dwayne Wade didn’t even play more than 30 minutes in a 20+ point win for the Heat.  Worst of all was the gentleman in his mid-thirties sitting behind me, who repeatedly shouted “HE COULDA BEEN A PISTON” whenever Wade scored a point. Seeing as the Palace has reduced beer prices to compensate for ticket losses, I can see how it might be easier for Joe Sportsfan to make his ridiculous comments.  It’s a sad sight everywhere you look inside the half empty stadium.

Let’s recap the main points in my season preview:

Joe Dumars has major job security: He was like a son to Mrs. Davidson’s late husband, and Dumars just shot down rumors he wanted to run for governor.  I’d say he thinks his job is pretty safe.  By the way, if Dumars did decide to run for governor, would his opponent put Darko Milicic on all his anti-Dumars’ ads? Or just a few of them?

Who is running the Detroit Pistons? Karen Davidson! We now know she wants to sell the team.  The only reason I bring this up is because every writer (I’m looking at you, Free Press) made this sound like it was a shocking new revelation in January…even though I had this as the 2^nd biggest storyline of the season IN OCTOBER!  OK, I’m done patting myself on the back here because…

Will Bynum is the Piston’s best PG: Will made me look great for about a month, then got hurt and became a turnover machine before shredding his ankles. Meanwhile, Rodney Stuckey hasn’t been lighting it up for the Pistons night-in and night-out. And neither of them can play defense.  Consider this my serving of warm humble pie with a puddle of Stuckey ice cream on the side.

Tayshaun needs to go: Again, I wanted a trade in October. Tayshaun gets hurt in November, ruins his trade value, and sticks the Pistons with his 10 million dollar deal collecting dust on our bench. While this is happening, Chris Kaman (the guy the Pistons should have traded for) is lighting up teams in the West with a double-double average for each game, and is now virtually untouchable.

But as my favorite Michigan football coach says, “Why can’t we be positive?!”  I’ve tried finding some positives in the remainder of this season, and believe me, this was a tough assignment.  Between ducking my Cleveland friends in the midst of their march to the NBA Finals, and being told how bad the Pistons are as an operational organization, it has been a tough 2010 for me to watch NBA basketball in Detroit. However, in the spirit of looking for the positives, here are three things Piston fans can take advantage of in the coming months.

Coming to an awful team near you

The John Wall Lotto: This is what Detroit is now “playing” for. There is John Wall and then there is everyone else in this year’s 2010 NBA Draft. He’s already got the LeBron stamp of approval when James sat courtside for last weekend’s game vs Ole Miss.  James has a habit of reaching out to college basketball’s “Next” crowd (see Stephen Curry while at Davidson) and Wall is the new kid in town.  According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, and most draft experts, Wall is in a class of his own followed by the next tier of OSU’s Evan Turner, UNC’s Ed Davis, Georgia Tech’s Derrick Favors, and Wall’s teammate DeMarcus Cousins. Of the names just mentioned, Cousins is likely to be there for the Pistons at the No. 5 to 8 pick range and fits their need for a dominant inside presence (6’11, 270lbs).  On the off chance the Pistons go into full tank mode, they will have about a ten percent chance at nabbing Wall (the Nets will probably have the greatest chance as they are headed towards possibly the worst season in NBA history).  And if the Pistons come together very late in the season to get a few wins, they likely still have a shot at Cousins. How’s that for positive vibes?

For Sale sign in the yard

The For Sale sign is collecting dust:  Karen Davidson made headlines two weeks ago when she told reporters she was looking into what her options were for selling the Pistons.  Davidson also put her family’s ten acre ranch in Aspen, CO on the market for a cool $47 million.  Factor in all this with the fact the Free Press reported it could take a few years to get her late husband’s estate completely resolved, and you might figure she is having her own mini-fire sale of assets.  Could this mean she is willing to take less than the $470 million at which Forbes has valued the Pistons? It is very likely.  And with Detroit still struggling more than almost any other sports town with regards to unemployment, it wouldn’t take much for a potential buyer to think about shipping the Pistons elsewhere.

It sounds dismal, but here is the good news: The Pistons and Palace Entertainment essentially fall under the same ownership roof, meaning that the Pistons don’t have to pay “rent” or other fees for using the Palace.  They can keep the money they make on parking, concessions, merchandise in arena stores, etc.  Selling the Pistons, but keeping the Palace, would be a tough sell by Davidson because the new owners would effectively be paying her rent on the Palace as a facility (since it is used for concerts and events, in addition to just Piston games).  The same issue comes up if new owners tried to move the team into an existing arena in another city.  However, if Davidson were to sell both Palace Entertainment AND the Pistons to the same group, this would dramatically increase the $470 million price tag because of the concert and event revenue Palace Entertainment brings in through its holdings (the Palace, Meadowbrook Music Theatre, and DTE Energy Music Theatre).  The chances are better that this package deal might price out too many ownership groups in this economy.  And with the NBA looking at a potential lockout in 2011, it’s a safe bet the Pistons stay put.

(Note: If I’m wrong, and the Pistons get sold and moved to Pittsburgh, don’t bother talking to me. I’ll be in my parent’s basement watching my 2004 Championship DVD on repeat for at least ten days)

"Coldest Ticket In Town!"

“Here, take my tickets!” This is a phrase Piston fans should hear a lot over the next few months.  For college kids, if you log onto the Piston website, you can get $40 tickets for ten dollars with a valid student ID for select games.  If you are looking for date ideas, there is the “2 for $29” deal where you get two tickets and two “Made in Detroit” T-Shirts.  Nothing says “Love” like a T-Shirt designed by Kid Rock.  And for those of us who are just plain cheap, Stub Hub has tickets for dirt cheap prices (some tickets are going for $15 below face value).  Detroiters always call in to radio stations to brag about how this is one of the best fan bases in the nation.  By going out and finding these bargains on tickets, here is their chance to prove it.

Since I spent the last paragraph essentially pimping the Pistons and Palace, here is something the Palace can do for me and my friends: Cut parking costs. Look, it was cool when you charged $10 to park and the team was good. But now?!? If the good people of Detroit are willing to stick by you in hard times both on and off the court, the least you can do is avoid stealing their dignity at the front gate.  Charging $3 for parking on weekdays and $5 on weekends would be a fair price to see the 15^th best team in the Eastern Conference.

The Ann Arbor Bar and Pub Power Rankings

Poster from pubsofyourtown.com

When I was living in Ann Arbor as a student, my housemates and I used to argue about TONS of issues dealing with sports. Having two guys from Cleveland, one from Chicago, and only me to represent the great state of Meeeeeechigan, there was plenty talk about the world of NBA hoops.  We’d argue about LeBron vs. Jordan, Pistons vs. Cavs, and the ultimate debate of whether LeBron will stay or leave Cleveland in the Summer of 2010 (one roommate stands to win over $100 dollars if LeBron stays).  But the thing we argued over most was the weekly NBA Power Rankings on ESPN.com.  These rankings are done by Marc Stein and John Hollinger, with each man using different methods to arrive at their results (Stein goes off instinct, Hollinger uses stat based systems). While they have no bearing on the outcome of any games, the PR’s were the perfect platform to spur the battles we had.  “Did you see where Hollinger has the Cavs?!” or “No way KG’s Celtics are worse than Howard’s Magic!!!” were the phrases most likely to be heard echoing off the walls in our house.  Maybe the greatest thing about the rankings was that it gave us something to talk about, and in a weird way, brought us closer together.  No one could ever truly be right, and new theories or arguments would tangent off the existing discussions.  Some of the best talks we had as a group started with the Power Rankings.

When you think about it, people have “Power Rankings” for everything: movies, books, and even colleges.  There are stats like these for most media topics, and some of the best conversations sprout up from these lists.  But what if you ranked the most arbitrary things in your daily lives?   What would the list look like? In the book The Final Four of Everything, Mark Reiter and Richard Sandomir do exactly that, only they use a bracket system. They rank everything from Board Games and Child Actors, to Sitcom Mom’s and State Birds.  And you wanna know something? It was the most entertaining book I purchased all year!  The key to a great conversation starter is shared experiences, or things we are all familiar with.  And this book was full of them.

That’s exactly what I set out to do this week; looking for the common experiences that my readers and I (most from Michigan) had in common….And what better way than to start with an Ann Arbor Bar and Pub Power Rankings? These bars are places most of us have been to; some of them you like and some of them you might not.  So whether you are a fan of Rick’s, go to Ashley’s week after week, or completely disagree/agree with what I wrote, hopefully this stirs some kind of discussion…maybe even with your old housemates.

(Note: Each bar was graded on 5 criteria: Food and Drink, Atmosphere, Utilization of Space, Guy/Girl ratio, and informal votes via Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail. Each criteria weighted equally. To see a number’s breakdown, leave a comment and I’ll post my numbers)

10. Mitch’s: The reason why this bar ranks 10^th is simple: I’ve never intentionally gone to Mitch’s.  If I was at Mitch’s, it usually meant the lines were too long at all the other South University bars, leading me and my friends to dub it “The Overflow Room.”  The beer isn’t cheap, you are going to pay cover some nights, and the ratio of guys to girls is likely more than 2 to 1 on any given night.  Location is really the only thing going for this bar (located above Bubble Tea), and if I thought Café Habana was a cheap enough for most students, Mitch’s probably doesn’t make the list.  In other words, unless changes are made soon, this bar is your last resort on a night out.

9. BTB Cantina: Burritos and Margaritas are the reason this campus gem sits at No. 9.  The drinks are cheap ($3 Long Islands and $4 pitchers on weekends) and there is a lot of room to sit and eat your late night burrito.  The only problem is that the drink menu really has no variety and the food isn’t that great. It gets packed right after Last Call (2am), and I’m partial to Pancheros for late night food.  However, the atmosphere at Cantina is unique to Ann Arbor.  I recommend going at least once to check it out.

8. The Blue Leprechaun What was formerly know as the bar/club called Touchdowns, the Blue Lep doesn’t have a lot going for it. The food is not good (the first and last meal I had when I was there was the fish and chips) and the inside of the bar looks like that one scene from Spaceballs when everything goes to plaid.  The pool tables in the basement are a less-than-ideal use of space because most nights they end up getting used as tables for your drink and no body actually plays.  Yes, the deals on bottled beer (some domestics are $2 on special) are great and the wait staff is friendly. But because the competition for the best bar on South U is pretty tough, I’m looking elsewhere before I stop in.

7. The Heidelberg: Look, I really, really, REALLY didn’t want to include this bar on the list.  And if I didn’t get messages from friends saying this was an Ann Arbor favorite, I would have left it out.   The Heidelberg is a nice place to have a beer with a meal, even if that meal is going to cost at least $8 (I’m sorry. I’m really trying to be nice here).  If that wasn’t enough, saying this bar is a long walk from campus doesn’t do it justice (Who am I kidding?  I can’t do it).  It would be like walking to U of M’s North Campus to study, when there are 5 perfectly good libraries on Central Campus.  It’s just not worth it! There is no way a rational 21 year-old kid on a budget is walking to the Heidelberg in January.  Nevertheless, karaoke is a draw for a lot of college kids and the Berg has one of the best set-ups in Ann Arbor.

6. Ashley’s: When it comes to having a wide range of beer and drinks from all over the world, no one is even in the same ballpark as Ashley.  Shout-out to my former housemate Hecky for introducing me to this bar, and once ordering one of their rarest and most expensive Belgian drinks. I won’t tell you how much it was, but I’ll just tell you the price for this one drink was split between three people.  Ashley’s gigantic drink menu and rotating beers on tap gives you the widest range of beer choices for any bar I’ve ever been to.  Whether it’s a beer from Belgium or Kalamazoo, Ashley’s probably carries it.  It’s location right off State St. makes happy hour and evening hangouts with your friends extremely easy.  The only drawbacks are a scarce food menu (there really isn’t much offered other than typical bar appetizers) and their cramped seating.  For these reason, I had to bump it down in the rankings.

5. Grizzly Peak:  The first time I went to the Peak, my buddy Stu told me to purchase their “Mug Club” package, which for $60 dollars gives you lifetime access to 20 oz beers for $3 anytime and your own engraved mug (among other perks).  Not purchasing the Mug Club was one of my biggest regrets from the past two years due to the amount of money and time I ended up spending here. It is my favorite spot to go in Ann Arbor. They have the best food for your money in Ann Arbor, and was been voted “Best Place to bring a date” by the local papers.  Grizzly Peak sells and brews their own beer, which is the only downside because this is the only beer they carry (aside from Pabst Blue Ribbon).  But their beer has won awards across the state of Michigan and is widely acclaimed (I recommend the Steelhead Red), so it’s not like you are missing out.  When I do my restaurant post, this ranking will definitely be higher. Until then, I urge all of you to make the walk down Washington St for the Peak.

4. The Little Brown Jug: This bar is a lot like former Michigan RB Mike Hart: Stumpy, lovable, and has a good attitude.  The Jug gets bonus points for giving the world “Backroom Pizza,” which sells Pizza by the slice for a dollar (1.50 pepperoni) until 4am.  I can’t tell you how many times I swooped in during lunch time, bought two slices, and inhaled them on my walk to class.  It’s not a big bar, and you usually have to go around 10 or 10:30 pm to guarantee yourself a booth.  I like the Jug for its atmosphere because you can sit down, chat with friends without all the noise of bigger bars, and also watch the game on TV.  If it had more space, this bar would have broken into the Top 3.

3. Conor O’Neill’s:  I’m ashamed to admit I went to this bar only once as a U of M student, but I have tried to make up for lost time in the year since. Conors’ the bar area as you walk in, with plenty of seating as you move back towards the kitchen.  For catching with old friends over a beer, this is the place.   One of the most underrated things about Conor’s is its food. Often thought of as just another Irish Pub, Conor’s is one of the few places to get great food (even if it’s a bit on the pricey side).  I recommend the pulled pork sandwich or calamari.

The reason this bar is so high on the list is due to the fact  both students and alumni can enjoy themselves here. A lot of the bars on South University are more student friendly, and the further you get from graduation, the more people might  feel out-of-place at some of these bars.  Conor’s eliminates that with a good mix of post-grads and students (and also by being on Main Street near some high end restaurants).  Its timeless appeal catapults it to number 3.

(No Photo Available for Rick’s…who here is surprised?)

2. Rick’s: (Note: I visited Rick’s two weeks ago and saw a drunk kid, who was out cold with vomit on his sweater, being carried out sand-bag style by a bouncer. Would have LOVED to use that for the photo, but it might have been in bad taste).  This is a bar girls love to go to, and one that guys hate to admit they visit.  Rick’s has a reputation for being a place for spoiled girls and guys with popped collars who just wanna grind, even though most normal people have enjoyed going there more than once. Yes, the name is awful. They charge cover, it smells of spilled liquor and sweat, and the mixed drinks are not reasonably priced.  Their signature “Shark Bowl” is like an ice tea for those participating in an orgy: they pour the liquid in a salad bowl and give you a box of straws for you and your closest friends to share.  But if you want to dance, this is the place to go.  People love Rick’s because the majority of college-aged kids like to dance and meet people; two things that Rick’s can set you up for on any given weekend.  The votes that came in were mostly from women, but its popularity amongst both sexes is evident by the line you see winding around the block after 11pm for a chance to make it into this bar.  It pains me to say it, but the numbers don’t lie.

A buddy of mine (who remains nameless for reputation and jinx purposes) had this to say: “If you want to meet women, this is the place to go. Is it seedy? Yes. Is it over-crowded, sweaty, and have nasty bathrooms? Yes.  But I can’t remember the last time I didn’t walk out of Rick’s with a girl or a group of my best friends. I look back at the phone numbers I have in my phone from those nights at Rick’s, and I can only chuckle. I’m sitting on a long streak of  instances having left Rick’s with a girl (date and/or random). The place is magic if you are looking for women.”

( The views and opinions expressed by this individual are strictly his own and not necessarily those of “Boyer Meets World”…but we wish him all the best in his goal to keep his streak alive)

The Undisputed Champ

1. Good Time Charley’s: I could have gotten away with switching the rankings for a few bars, but there is no way Charley’s belongs anywhere but the top of the list. It is the undisputed champ of the Ann Arbor bar scene because it does so many things well.  If you want to drink with friends, GTC has an extensive mixed drink and beer list with plenty of tables.  $4.50 iced teas and pitchers are two of the great values this bar has to offer.  The ratio of women to men is about even, and the food is really good for just your local bar.  If you want to get a brain work-out while you drink, there is trivia on Wednesday nights (an event so popular, people will get there 4 hours early just to get a table for the event).  Throw in GTC’s karaoke nights, and it’s the total package!  If you want to dance, Rick’s is across the street and often is where most people from Charley’s will migrate to in the later hours.  Every great bar night I hadat Michigan started at Charley’s.  It’s the site of my first birthday drink when I turned twenty-one, the bar where my friends and I went after Obama won the 2008 election, and is also the only bar any of my friends have ever been removed from for being sick (again, keeping it anonymous in good taste).

I could fill a book with all the good memories I’ve had at Charley’s and all of these bars at Michigan (and maybe I will, someday). But for now, this blog post will have to do.

Housemates (minus one) for discussing Power Rankings...Check