Tigers Release Sheffield, Eat $14 Million

The Detroit Tigers have released designated hitter / broken down outfielder Gary Sheffield and as a result they will eat the $14 million they owe him for 2009.

Not that Gary is much use to us now with his declining ability to stay healthy and slumping stats, but how do you just eat $14 million? The Tigers traded a minor league pitcher last night for Atlanta outfielder Josh Anderson. I'm assuming they had to release Sheffield to make room for Anderson, but fiscally this seems like a bad move.

When healthy last season, Gary had a batting average of .225 and only 19 home runs with 57 RBI. He was injured much of last year with missed portions of the season with right shoulder problems.

Sheffield is just one home run shy of 500 for his career. Overall he has 1,633 RBI with a career batting average of .292.

UofM QB Nick Sheridan Injures Leg

Nick Sheridan, UofM's Junior QB suffered a small fracture in his right leg during spring practice and is expected to be out 4-6 weeks to heal..... oh wait.... no one cares because Nick stinks at QB and incoming Freshman Tate Forcier will take his spot regardless.

Verlander Named Opening Day Starter

I think we all saw this one coming, but I suppose its newsworthy anyways. Tigers' Skipper Jim Leyland named Justin Verlander as the opening day starter for this year. Opening day this year is April 6 at the Toronto Blue Jays.

2009 Mr. Basketball of Michigan: Derrick Nix

Nix, a senior center at Detroit Pershing, was awarded the Mr. Michigan basketball trophy on Monday afternoon as Michigan's best high school boys basketball player. Nix averaged 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Pershing Doughboys this year.

Nix dropped 40 pounds over the summer in preparation for this year. He was playing at around 335 pounds last year, the weight loss clearly gave him greater stamina on the court and has helped him become a consistent force for Pershing’s star-studded team. Derrick is now playing at about 293 pounds on his 6-foot-9 frame.

Nix joins the likes of NBA stars like Jason Richardson, Shane Battier, Chris Webber and Glen Rice on the Mr. Michigan trophy and will be headed to play his college ball at Michigan State University.

George Kell Passes at the Age of 86

George Kell, died at the age of 86 this morning at his home in Swifton, Ark.

Kell was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983 and was a broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers for 37 years before his retirement in 1996.

Prior to his career in the booth, George Kell was equally as great a baseball player as announcer. George was a career .306 hitter with 2,054 hits and had won the batting title back in 1949 over Ted Williams.

George always carried himself with class both on and off the baseball diamond and was the voice of the Tigers for many many years, he will be truly missed by the Detroit community.

Vintage Baseball: The Rochester Grangers

Want to experience a simpler time in baseball? No steroid scandals, no players holding out for multi-million dollar contracts and no ESPN highlights...

The Oakland Press wrote the below article about the Rochester Grangers. Its a vintage baseball club in Rochester, MI who play at Van Hoosen Farm in Rochester Hills. They play by the rules followed from 1864-1867 and wear authentic period uniforms.

To read The Oakland Press article: Click Here

OU Grizzlies Receive Tourney Invite

Oakland University for the second time in three years has lost in the conference tournament championship game, this time it was a veteran North Dakota State team who denied the Grizzlies a seed in the Big Dance.

Despite the loss, this was OU's most successful season in Division I posting a record of 22 wins and 12 losses. The Golden Grizzlies were rewarded for that record when they recieved and accepted an invite over the weekend to the inaugural CollegeInsider.com tourney. OU will host Kent State at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the O’Rena in the first round of the tournament.

Coach Kampe explains the CollegeInsider.com tourney:
“It’s a tournament for the mid-majors,” Kampe said. “It looks toward teams that had really good years, but didn’t get in the NIT or NCAA (tournament). They are deserving, but didn’t get in. A lot of times the NIT will look the other way when it comes to mid-majors because it wants to make money. This tournament is not about making money. It’s about rewarding student athletes at the mid-major level. It’s really a great concept and I’m really excited to be part of it.”

Kent State (19-14) finished tied for third place in the MAC and will have its streak of 20-win seasons on the line against Oakland Tuesday.

Lions Trade Redding for Julian Peterson

Ideally the Detroit Lions' defense would like to put a lot of pressure on the opposing team's quarterback (something they haven't been able to do in past seasons) and now they have got a better weapon to do so.

Julian Peterson, the five-time Pro Bowl linebacker, was acquired by the Lions on Saturday in a deal that sent defensive tackle Cory Redding to the Seattle Seahawks. Also as part of the deal, the Lions also sent their fifth-round draft pick to the Seahawks.

Peterson had five sacks last year and has a total of 46 for his 9 year career. He had a career-high 10 sacks back in 2006. While Julian does not fit the young talent core that the Lions are hoping to build around, he does fill a gaping hole in their defense and can contribute immediately.

Detroit Pistons owner William Davidson Dies

From Mlive.com A. Sherrod Blakely

Detroit Pistons official confirmed late Friday night that team owner Bill Davidson has passed away.

He was 86.

"We are all deeply saddened by the news of Mr. D's passing," Pistons coach Michael Curry said. "He's a great owner who genuinely cared for players, coaches and employees. He will not only be remembered as a great owner but also as a person who made a difference in many people's lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. D and the entire Davidson family."

Davidson has owned the team since 1974, a span that includes NBA championships in 1989, 1990 and most recently, 2004.

He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.

During the 2003-2004 season, Davidson became the first professional sports owner to win championships in three professional leagues. In addition to the Pistons, Davidson owns the WNBA Detroit Shock and during the 2003-2004 season, he was the owner of the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

While he owned multiple professional teams, the Pistons always seemed to hold a special place in his heart.

"I want to tell you that I love the Pistons and I will be with them until my grave," Davidson said in a 2005 interview.

Davidson, who was born in Detroit, received a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan and earned a Juris Doctor's Degree from Wayne State University.

He spent three years practicing law, and decided to give it up to take over a wholesale drug company. After turning the company around in three years, he performed a similar feat with a surgical supply company.

After that, he took over the family business, Guardian Glass Company, which has since become Guardian Industries Corp. and is one of the world's largest manufacturers of automotive glass.

At his alma mater, the University of Michigan, Davidson's contributions to the school total more than $55 million.

The William Davidson Institute was created at Michigan's Ross School of Business after a gift of $30 million from Davidson.

Davidson is survived by his wife, Karen, and two children, Ethan and Marla.

What the Lions Should Do - In My Opinion

The Detroit Lions have so many needs and holes to fill on their roster, it's ridiculous. But the Lions have signed some good, not great talent such as Grady Jackson, Philip Buchanon and Antonio Bryant. Which is the wise thing to do, if you ask me. Go after young good players with potential, instead of pricey veterans who have past their prime.

Some fans ask why not go after the stars like Ray Lewis, T.O. and Albert Haynesworth?? They would help the team immediately! The reason is simple, this is not a video game. When your team stinks, the great players don't want to come to your team. Also, just to get a top notch player to a consider your crappy franchise, you have to pay a steep premium. It's not worth it.

For the draft this year I'd like to see the Lions pick Aaron Curry (LB from Wake Forest) with the first pick. He is a solid linebacker that could play along side our best defensive player Ernie Sims, not to mention he is widely considered the safest pick in this year's draft. Many people predict the Lions will take Matt Stafford. It's just my opinion, but I think Stafford is a good QB who happens to be in a weak pool of QBs, not necessarily a great prospect like Matt Ryan was. I have a feeling Stafford compares more to Alex Smith then Matt Ryan and we all know how that turned out. The Lions should just ride out Daunte Culpepper for another year and then go after Sam Bradford next year.

With the 20th pick, depending who is available, I'd take one of these guys in this order of preference: Vontae Davis (CB - Illinois), Jerry Peria (DT - Mississippi) or Michael Oher (OT - Mississippi). I would be happy with any of these picks. Each one of them could make an immediate improvement and impact on the Lions roster. No "project players" in this bunch.

0-16 Lions Cartoon

From Bangcartoon.com

Check out the link below. It celebrates the Lions accomplishment of being the first team to not obtain a single win in a 16 game season.

Click Here!

State of Michigan Power Rankings

Best NCAA Basketball Teams in the State of Michigan in Order

Michigan State
(14-3 Big Ten, 24-5 Overall)
RPI: 6
Strength of Schedule: 7
Key Wins: Oklahoma State, Texas, Kansas, Minnesota, Illinois
In-State Wins: Oakland, @ Michigan
In-State Losses: -


Michigan
(8-9 Big Ten, 18-12 Overall)
RPI: 48
Strength of Schedule: 9
Key Wins: UCLA, Duke, Illinois, Purdue
In-State Wins: Eastern, Oakland
In-State Losses: Michigan State


Oakland
(13-5 Summit, 20-11 Overall)
RPI: 130
Strength of Schedule: 286
Key Wins: Oregon, @ Wisc - Green Bay, North Dakota State
In-State Wins: @ Eastern
In-State Losses: Michigan, Michigan State


Detroit
(2-16 Horizon, 7-23 Overall)
RPI: 277
Strength of Schedule: 145
Key Wins: -
In-State Wins: Eastern, @ Central
In-State Losses: Western


Western
(6-8 MAC, 9-19 Overall)
RPI: 292
Strength of Schedule: 269
Key Wins: -
In-State Wins: Detroit, @ Central, @ Eastern, Eastern
In-State Losses: -


Central
(5-9 MAC, 9-18 Overall)
RPI: 300
Strength of Schedule: 275
Key Wins: -
In-State Wins: Detroit
In-State Losses: Detroit, Western, @ Eastern, Eastern


Eastern
(4-10 MAC, 6-23 Overall)
RPI: 329
Strength of Schedule: 240
Key Wins: -
In-State Wins: Central, @ Central
In-State Losses: @ Detroit, @ Michigan, Oakland, Western, @ Western

Lions Still on the Hunt

The Detroit Lions have three new prospects on their free agency radar...

The first player is the mammoth Defensive Tackle Grady Jackson who is listed at 345 pounds and played for the Atlanta Falcons last season. Grady is a 12-year veteran and is expected to sign with the Lions as long as he passes a physical today.

The second player is Daniel Loper a 320 pound offensive tackle who played a reserve role with the Tennessee Titans the last four years.

The third player is L.J. Smith, who spent last year with the Philadelphia Eagles as their Tight End. L.J. is a skilled Tight End, however, there are questions regarding his durability, as he has had trouble staying healthy as of late.

Buchanon to Detroit?

Word on the street is that free-agent cornerback Philip Buchanon has told the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he wants to play for new head coach Raheem Morris.

However, the Bucs have not yet been able to get Buchanon re-signed and now he’s looking around the league for other suitors. A league source has said that Buchanon will land in Detroit for a visit on Monday with the Lions.

Buchanon was drafted by the Raiders in 2002 and then also had a stop in Houston and most recently in Tampa Bay.