This article originally ran for the "Gunn Show" in April 2006

The old crumbling red brick row is chipping away as every moving car passes by Michigan and Trumbell. Weeds fill the sidewalks where vendors sold hot dogs for over 90 years, and the parking lot, usually accustomed to street vendors clad with min-bats and Tigers hats has long been emptied.

Nine years ago the white baseball mansion otherwise known as Tiger Stadium still carried the smell of hot dogs and the crack of wooden bats into the overhanging bleachers in right field.

A lot has changed since 1999 when the Detroit Tigers took to the hitter’s park for the last time.

            Old friends named Alan Trammel, and Kirk Gibson came back, and left, again. A singing hot dog vendor emerged, as did new landmarks of three story high prowling tigers, baseball bats, and a dolphin swimming on a building side overlooking the center field wall.

            As Comerica Park became christened as the new baseball Mecca in Detroit, Old Tiger Stadium with it's long Wrigley like concrete ramps, MLB pennants, and throwback Tigers logos was forgotten.

            Last week, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick met with members of the Detroit City Council to discuss the future of one of baseball's most historic landmarks.

            After the meeting, ideas of demolition swirled and plans to turn the corner of Michigan and Trumbell into a shopping center, or another parking lot emerged.

            But is demolition for the future home of compact cars, or a Super K-Mart really the proper burial Tiger Stadium deserves?

            For nine decades Tiger Stadium was home to players like Ty Cobb, Hank Greenberg, Jack Morris and Al Kaline, home to Ernie Harwell, the '84 World Series champions and the culture of Detroit sports.

            Many advocates and Detroit baseball die-hards have created websites and lobbied to restore the building that was once home to so many great baseball memories and records.

            But without the man power or will to restore and maintain Detroit's most coveted sports landmark it is merely a lost cause.

            Instead of half-heartedly leading an effort to restore the now peeling and crumbling sports stadium, Mike Illitch and the Detroit Tigers organization need to give Tiger Stadium a proper burial by bringing back one more series to where baseball previously thrived.

            For just one weekend series, either this season or next, the Tigers should give the place a face lift and one last hoorah. They could play a division series against an old-rival, and bring back the old players to raise the excitement level of what would be an already historic weekend.

            They could pull the weeds, paint the chairs, and remove the tree that is growing in the outfield. They could bring back the vendors, the hat stands, and the old crowd that used to watch baseball back when baseball was America's pastime.

            Money shouldn't be an object. Never mind the fact that Detroit Tigers owner Mike Illitch is rolling in wads of cash from his other business ventures: Olympia Entertainment which encompasses Comerica Park, Joe Louis Arena, The Fox Theater, Hockeytown Cafe, Hockeytown Authentics, the Tigers, the Red Wings and so much more.

            Besides, fans young an old would no doubt eat the cost of an inflated admission ticket, or a hot dog and a box of Cracker Jack's just for a shot of that old time baseball nostalgia.

            The idea is feasible from an economical standpoint because it is certain baseball fans would still care enough to see one last home stand at the corner. In terms of man power and restoration efforts, the lobbyists would help because they already pushed to refurbish the tiring eye sore that hovers over Interstate-94.

            To the casual fan it may be over the top, but to long time, old fashioned baseball enthusiasts it's the proper send off Tiger Stadium has earned. After weekend series, turned Tigers celebrity alumni weekend party, mayor Kilpatrick can bulldoze the old white walled structure as soon as he can.

            Sure it will be sad. Sure it will signal the dawning of a new era for the corner of Michigan and Trumbell - an era that will either involve 24-hour one stop shopping, or five dollar easy out parking, but that's okay, because old Tiger Stadium will have gotten the it's ride into the sunset.

If someone told me back in May that on this day in September the Tigers would own a one game lead in the AL Central I probably would have had them institutionalized. But now here it is-September 18, and all my excitement has shifted elsewhere.

It's no that I'm not a Tigers fan- really I am - and I've been one before 2006. I can't even count how many classes I skipped or lectures I diregarded in the spring to focus on Tigers baseball-but since football season came around baseball doesn't seem as important.

I've always thought football was the greatest sport to follow-especially college, but now- even with the first Tigers pennant race of my era- I can't get excited over baseball.

If I someone could have harnessed the excitement I had back in April, maybe I'd actually care that  I have tickets for next Friday's game agains the Royals, one's I had hoped would enable me to see the Tig's capture their first playoff birth in 18 years. I should be excited that Tigers tickets go on sale tomorrow for the playoffs. We're talking ALDS, ALCS and World Series. But instead of dropping down $90 for a skybox seat in a potentail October matchup versus some pushover from the NL, I'm thinking I'd rather spend that money on a Michigan-Ohio State ticket- which is running anywhere from $500-$2,000 on Ebay right now. And it's only three games into the season!

This coming from a guy who has already spent $500 on two sets of season tickets. One for Michigan, one for Michigan State and a couple scattered games for Central Michigan, Boston College, Western and hopefully the Tennessee-LSU game later this season.

After all that, I don't know why I don't feel inclined to at least try for a World Series ticket. Especically since I paid for 16 seperate tickets to 16 games in 2004 at Comerica Park where the Tigers went 0-16, including two more losses against the White Sox during a July road trip.

Then again- I don't know anyone in their right mind who would go see the Tigers play to an 0-18 record if football season was going on which makes me think that even though the Tigers are sweet, and I'll be excited over them in April, Michigan football is where it's at in the fall.

Of course I haven't been able to say that in a while considering Michigan dropped it's previous six road openers leaving them out of the national title race befrore the thick of the Big Ten race. But now things are different. The win against Notre Dame proves that new defensive coordinator Ron English is on to something. His "Old English D" has me seeing shades of a 1997 team that led the nation in defense and subsequently defeated Washington State for a Rose Bowl win and share of the national title.

Michigan still has a few key matchups to go undefeated  into their rivalry match with Ohio State-Wisconsin being one of them. I will preview that later on this week-but now its time to watch the Tigers

 

     You wouldn't know it but sports current events news is all over the
radar this week not just around the gravitational pull of Barry Bonds'
head. Here are just a few of the stories that you may have missed this
week, with some interesting analysis that would even make a Duke
lacrosse or Northwester soccer player laugh.

No No Hitters- Not only has there been no perfect games since Randy
Johnson's perfect game two years ago, there as also been no- no
hitters. Part of this can be contributed to better fields which have
helped reduce errors and part of it can be contributed to Delmon
Young, who either hits the ball or hits the umpire with a bat.

All in the Family- Speaking of the Young family, Delmon's older
brother Dmitri announced Monday that he will turn himself into
Birmingham police on charges of aggravated assault stemming from an
April incident with his 21-year-old ex-girlfriend. Apparently Dmitri
had mistaken his significant other for a bag of pork rinds.

We're Going Streaking- A 5-3 win over Minnesota Thursday gave the
Detroit Tigers a seven game winning streak- their longest since 1993.
In an unrelated story, the Detroit Lions haven't won seven games since
1993.

Gauransheed? - There has been much talk lately about Rasheed Wallace
guaranteeing a win in game four over the Cavaliers. Since his bold
statements the Pistons have lost both games, and are trailing the
Cavaliers in the best of seven series 3-2. Some say it was a case of
'Sheed being a loud mouth, I just think it was a feable attempt to
take attention off of his ever-growing bald spot.

For Whom the Bell Tolls- Baltimore Orioles slugger Albert Belle was
arrested again this week on stalking charges. The judge has issued a
restraining order and required Belle to sit through the entire first
season of Bonds on Bonds.

Tressel Time- Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel has come to terms
with the Ohio State athletic department. Tressel will be paid $ 2.4
million more dollars this year, or 240,000 red sweater vests.

Get Cup Crazy- The 2006 World Cup rosters have been finalized and they
will involve 736 players ages 17-40 that you've never heard of.

Fault- Marco Ancic of Croatia defeated James Blake in three sets to
reach the Hamburg Masters quaterfinals earlier this week. Ten bucks
says he would have beaten Blake in two sets if he would have advanced
to the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburg Masters quaterfinals.

Jon Gunnells is a journalism senior at Michigan State University who
wonders how Ohio State can pay Jim Tressel and still stay under the
salary cap and pay the rest of its players. He can be reached at
gunnell2@msu.edu

     Its times like these that make me wish my apartment had a third television in the living room. Lost, the greatest television show on earth is on, and so is the big game. So while I will be watching Sawyer, Kate, John and Jack fight off the bearded island hermit, I will also be glancing to the other television where the best team in the league will be representing Detroit. On top of that, the Pistons are also playing the Cavaliers in a pivotal game five. So if you didn’t catch it the first time, that means I need a third television so I can watch the Pistons in addition to the Tigers and Lost.

     Now don’t get me wrong, I love the “Stones” and I’m glad they can represent the state well so I can give out of town bloggers a hard time, but come on the Tigers haven’t been this good since 1989. At this time in 1989 I wasn’t even four.

     There has to be a small minority of fans like myself, who care more about the Tigers than the Pistons, and to the majority we may seem insane, but at least we know what’s going to happen with the Pistons. Sure they struggled in Cleveland, but does anyone really think the best defensive team in the league won’t be able to stop LeBron for a third straight game? Me neither. The Pistons will finish off the Cavs in six games making my decision to watch another deep version of Lost much easier. Speaking of Lost, where does it rank among the best television shows on right now?

Here is my list of current favorites:

1. Lost

2. The Sopranos

 3. The Simpsons

4. Family Guy

5. Teachers (a great new show on NBC)

6. Curb Your Enthusiasm

     The thing about Lost is, it reads like a good book. Every episode ends like a chapter you just have to read again. But lost has taken television writing to a whole different level with interactive websites and all that jazz, so really, for me to skip that to watch the Pistons would be insane. Lets be honest, we know what’s going to happen in games five and six, but nobody knows where Walt is, or if they are going to fight the others. We also don’t know why Hurley hasn’t lost any weight, or why Michael shot Libby and Anna Lucia.

     The answers to these questions are what keep me up every night. Anyway, I think it is almost time to get myself in my body groove on the couch. Go Tigers, Go Pistons!

Jon Gunnells is a journalism senior at Michigan State University who is addicted to Lost. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu

     I knew from the long distance nature of the call that it had to be serious business, but I didn’t think it was going to be that serious.

            “Trammel’s the new skipper of the Tigers,” the caller said in a booming stadium announcer voice. “We’re going to win the pennant this year.”

            “I know,” I replied. “It looks like this is finally going to be our year.”

        Any well-seasoned Detroit Tigers fan would know “our” year has been a long coming. But, sports fans like my buddy Erik and I tend to act irrationally sometimes, especially at our immature age of twenty. Sure we live on our own, drive by ourselves and can eat cake for breakfast, which we still do, but it terms of sports knowledge a 20 year old kid is like negative three.

            We weren’t around to see George Brett’s pine tar incident, the Immaculate Reception or even the Miracle on Ice, but for some reason we still thought we were sports gurus.

            At our ignorant age, we believed Alan Trammel’s reemergence in the Motor City meant restoration of Tigers glory, glory that had been missing for since Kirk Gibson hit that long fly ball to win the World Series in 1984.

 

            Three years, and what seemed like three hundred losses later, the Tigers canned Trammel and Erik and I felt our own personal sense of defeat.

            What started off as the greatest front office move for the Tigers since the California Raisins were popular ended about as poorly as the War of the Worlds remake.

                        To make matters worse, this hadn’t been the first time we’d been let down by one of our favorite teams. See, Erik and I also whole heartedly root for the Lions, which in recent years has become a chore in itself.  

            Regardless, Erik and I still have a set of rules we follow.

            For instance, even though the Lions weren’t good enough to win the Big Ten Conference last year, we still root for them. There is no bandwagon silliness to be had on our watch; the team you’re born with is the team you die with, end of story. Erik and I have no tolerance for people who root for the team of the week.

            Erik and I also have zero tolerance for passive fans. You know the person from Boston who waited until after the 2004 World Series to buy their Red Sox hat and jersey. That’s the kind of thing that gets you shot if you live in L.A.

            We are increasingly fed up with those new Pistons fans, the ones who cheer for them now that they’ve won the title, but were too busy watching the Red Wings to notice the consistent 30-52 season’s Grant Hill was helping us stagger too.

            This is why Erik and I pour most of our heart and sole into rooting for home teams that involve claws. If you ask any sports fan over eighty, they’ll tell you that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

            Like the senior citizens, we believe baseball should be recognized as the national pastime while football is honored as a close second. Basketball and hockey should only be watched when the first too aren’t in season. Don’t even get us started on soccer or this WNBA ####.

            After high school, Erik moved to Tennessee so it became commonplace for us to enforce our unique set of sports rules over the phone.

Shortly after the ill-fated hire of Alan Trammel back in 2001, I received another phone call from Erik.

“Lion Time,” Erik yelled into the phone. “We’re going to the Super Bowl.”

“Yeah, I heard,” I said. “Steve Mariucci is a Lion, this year is going to be great.”

Of course, that’s the same thing Erik and I said when Marty Morningwheg came to town and Matt Millen, and Gary Moeller, and Bobby Ross, and so the story goes for both the Lions and the Tigers.

I don’t know if subconsciously we realize the Tigers and Lions will never satisfy us, but during our phone conversations, we truly believe our favorite teams can be champions. Maybe it’s an escape from reality. After all, not many people around us feel the Lions or Tigers are worthy of any praise. Personally, I hate those people. I hate them about as much as the people who think Candice Parker deserved to win the High School Dunk Contest a few years ago. Laying the ball up and grabbing the rim while closing your eyes for a split second does not take talent. Not to go off on a tangent or anything but my old high school swim coach can do that and he eats Taco Bell five times a week.

When it comes to sports philosophy Erik and I are of an old school breed.

                   Erik would step over his own mother to get a Lions Super Bowl Championship and a Tigers World Series title, and to be quite honest I’d step right over his mother too. Heck, as long as it meant post season action, I’d step over his Dad, his hot sister and Roy, his cat who was named after Roy Williams, one of the Lions receivers.

      However, considering the recent trends in Detroit for teams with mascots who have sharp teeth, a Lions or Tigers championship is unfathomable. In our lifetime, the Tigers have been to the playoffs once, and the Lions have only won one playoff game, which should be negated because they lost the next week by thirty five points. Meanwhile the Red Wings and Pistons have combined for six titles. Sure, it’s better than say, Chicago winning titles but honestly, we could care less. We’d gladly trade in the Red Wings and Pistons conference championships and league titles just for one crack at what we would consider a meaningful title.

That’s why when the Lions or the Tigers make a big free agent acquisition a trade, or sign a new coach, a phone call follows.

      It happened when Dre Bly signed with the Lions, when Placido Polanco was traded to the Tigers and when Matt Mantai signed by the Tigers AA affiliate this offseason. For those of you who aren’t fluent in sports, he’s the baseball version of the Backstreet Boys, he hasn’t done anything since 2001.

      Deep down, Erik and I believe these changes can lead our teams to the holy land. A Mecca for sports fans. But, months after every acquisition or trade, the result is the same, the Lions and the Tigers wind up in the cellar, and we end up dreaming once more about what could have been.

      Once again, this year’s off-season brought another long distance phone call from that familiar number from Tennessee.

      “Do you know what time it is?” the caller asked

      “Four thirty nine,” I replied as if I was unsure.

      “Nope, it’s Lion Time,” Erik yelled as he always does.

 “It’s Lion Time; we’re going to the Super Bowl,”

If we we’re in person Erik’s declaration of Lion Time would be followed by a powerful high five. More than likely Erik would be clad in his oversized blue sun glasses with gray and blue Lion shaped frames. But he’s not in person. And he’s said Lion Time or Tiger Time, hundreds of times before with the same expectation; The expectation that this year’s football or baseball seasons would be different than the last. We said it when Jim Leyland got hired, and Trammel, and Phil Garner even Buddy Bell, we got excited over a coach named Buddy.

      “Same ####, new year,” I said sadly into the phone.

Erik paused for a while I tried to pull out the best comeback he could

      “Well, he said. “They signed Mike Martz too, and the last time he was an offensive coordinator somewhere he won a title.”

      “Hey wasn’t Dre’ Bly on that team?” I asked.

      “Yep, it’s destiny” Erik said.

“Dude, you know what it is destiny,” I said.

“You know what else?” I said.

“It’s Lion Time.”

Jon Gunnells is a journalism senior at Michigan State University who has apparently inspired the Detroit Tigers. Since he wrote this, they have earned the best record in the MLB. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu

            For most sports enthusiasts, this past Saturday was a time to reflect on the NFL Draft, and maybe catch a glimpse of the NHL or NBA playoffs, but for Detroit sports fans it was sports lineup that may never be topped.

12:00 p.m. NFL Draft -- ESPN

1:05 p.m. Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins -- Fox Sports Net

1:05 p.m. NCAA Baseball double header: Michigan State vs. Michigan  - Comcast Local

3:00 p.m.  NHL  Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs. Edmonton Oilers-- NBC

                        8:00 p.m.  NBA Playoffs: Detroit Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks – ESPN

11:55 a.m. – Here we go, thirteen hours of pure sports brilliance broadcast on four different networks on two different televisions, if only every American were lucky enough to have as much free time as me.

12:00 p.m. – Nothing like getting the sports television marathon started with Chris Berman and Mel Kiper who will spend the next seven hours acting like football robots.

12:11 p.m. - I hate to be the fashion police but it looks like Vince Young and Reggie Bush are dressed for the pimp daddy convention not the NFL Draft.

12:39 p.m. - And the Aaron Rogers award for biggest draft day flop goes to Matt Leinart of the USC Trojans.

1:07 p.m. – Vernon Davis is crying. I would be too if I was just drafted by the San Francisco 49ers and Alex Smith was going to be my quarterback.

1:14 p.m.- The Raiders just drafted Michael Huff. I’m going to cut myself.

1:17 p.m.- I’ve just gotten three phone calls since the Raiders stole the Lions only good defensive option. All my friends are calling for Leinart = Lion Hart draft pick. This could be a blessing in disguise.

1:22 p.m.- Carlos Guillen hits harder than the bass at Snoop Dogg concert. For those of you keeping score at home, that’s a 2-run home run giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead, and giving Guillen 7 RBI in the last four at bats.

1:26 p.m. - Donte Whitner to the Bills at No.8 are you kidding me? It's decisions like this that lost Marv Levy four straight Super Bowls.

1:34 p.m.- Nothing like passing up a two time national championship quarterback for a injury prone linebacker from Florida State. Congratulations Ernie Sims your football career is officially over.

1:37 p.m. – Phone call from my buddy Erik: “We suck again; Ernie Sims is a walking concussion.” Could be a good ploy by the Lions though, getting a guy who is so roughed up in the noggin, he won’t realize he’s player for the dumbest general manager in all of sports.

1:42 p.m.- The Arizona Cardinals are officially for real. Leinart, Boldin, Fitzgerald, Edgerin James. Look out NFC East.

1:43 p.m. – Tigers rookie centerfielder Curtis Granderson just smashed a 2-run shot to left field. Tigers 5, Twinkies 0.

1:47 p.m. – Guillen now has a pair of twin killings that’s another Tigers 2-run home run, and 9 RBI in 5 at bats.

1:49 p.m. – This is me pre-ordering my Detroit Tigers World Series tickets. You know if the playoffs started today they would have the Wild Card.

1:54 p.m. – Next Monday is Pudge Rodriguez growth poster giveaway night at Comerica Park. I wonder if the SBC Park has a Barry Bonds Human Growth Hormone poster giveaway night.

2:28 p.m. - Looks like I dozed off there for a short while. No matter. I could take a seven hour nap and the Tigers would still be cranking home runs, the score is 11-0 now.

2:32 p.m. - With the 15^th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft the St. Louis Rams select Ty Hildenbrandt, Cornerback from Clemson. Great first the competition, and now he gets drafted before me.

2:34 p.m. - Whoops my bad. That was Tye Hill, not Hildenbrandt. See I knew I’d be drafted first.

2:45 p.m. – Phone is ringing. Must be the Kansas City Cheifs calling to say they’re drafting me.

2:48 p.m. – Nope, just my mom.

2:58 p.m.- Guillen and the Tigers are up 13-1 now and I think I figured out why. Their batting coach is named Don Slaught. What better way to lead an offensive onslaught than with a coach named Don Slaught. This would be like having a race car driver named Acceleration McGhee.

3:01 p.m. – The game five match up between the Red Wings and the Oilers is about to get underway and the Tigers are only in the sixth inning. We need a third television.

3:10 p.m.- Ohio State players are flying off the board quicker than a hoagie fly’s out of John Kruk’s fridge. All the Buckeye player highlights are against Michigan State. I’m waiting for the John L. Smith sound byte to come on.

“THE KIDS ARE PLAYING THEIR TAILS OFF AND THE COACHES ARE SCREWIN’ IT UP.”

3:17 p.m. – The last sound you hear before muting the television showing the NFL draft is “click- clack.” These Under Armour commercials are more annoying than those tools from the Applebee’s spots.

3:25 p.m. – Bases loaded for the Tigers. Craig Monroe is going to lead us to the promised land, and Justin Verlander is the greatest pitcher ever.

3:29 p.m. – Does Merril Hodge realize how bad his pink shirt looks with a tan suit and tie. Someone get Jeff Garcia over there to give some fashion tips.

3:35 p.m.- Tamba Hali’s highlight reel is also full of clips versus MSU, great representation team. Go Green.

3:37 p.m.- Bases loaded again. I’m like a kid in a candy store.

4:18 p.m. – The Oilers just scored a goal at the same time the Giants traded the 25^th overall pick. I think this is a big government conspiracy. Grassy knoll.

4:20 p.m. – Through about four and a half hours of non-stop sports indulgence the highlight is not the 18 runs put up by the Tigers but the Visa commercial with the break dancing worm.

4:25 p.m.-There’s another goal. Oil Embargo 2, Red Wings 0

4:30 p.m. - Oil spot in my driveway 3, Wings 0. I need a drink.

4:49 p.m.- Brendan Shannahan just scored what is probably his first playoff goal in about 13 years, I hope he feels less dead inside now.

5:25 p.m.- The kooky Applebee’s singers just got the Gilligan’s Island theme song stuck in my head.

5:33 p.m. – “The professor and Mary Anne, here on Gilligan’s Island!”

5:35 p.m. – New England just drafted Chad Jackson. These guys never seem to make a bad pick.

5:40 p.m. – You know what I haven’t had in a while? Big League Chew.

5:55 p.m. – The 7-11 down the street does not sell big league chew, but they do have beef jerky that sits in a tin like the adult form of big league chew. Classy.

5:58 p.m. – After pulling their goalie and getting another skater on the ice Henrik Zetterberg drilled a shot from the point to make the score 3-2 in Edmonton’s favor. Too little too late.

6:00 p.m.- The only thing worse than the Wings game five loss is Jimmy Williams’s mutton chops. What did shaving go out of style?

6:05 p.m.- White Men Can’t Jump is on TNT, today’s television lineup just gained a bunch of cool points.

6:19 p.m.- There’s an MLS game on EPSN 2, today’s television lineup just lost all of it’s cool points.

6:24 p.m -The Lions just drafted Daniel Bullocks from Nebraska. But before he could step up to the podium the Michigan Football team rushed the field. Just kidding, Michigan doesn’t cheat like that.

6:27 p.m.- Speaking of Michigan, that baseball doubleheader is going strong. Michigan leads MSU 4-2 in the 5^th inning right now which is too bad because one of my former roommates is pitching now for the Spartans.

6:37 p.m.- I really thought he could have gotten the Spartans the win, I mean he is on the juice. No really, he’s on Vitamin C pills called the juice.

6:41 p.m.- LenDale White just got drafted to the tune of a shirt that says Chauncey Billups got robbed. That’s right. Hatin’ MVP voters be actin’ a fool.

8:28 p.m.- That’s definitely a post dinner induced coma. I just missed the Lions third round pick and the beginning of the Pistons game.

8:39 p.m. - How come whenever I wake up from a day time nap I feel messed up like I just ate too much sugar, or ate a whole block of cheese for dinner again? Now I know how Ernie Sims feels after a concussion.

8:36 p.m.- An ultra delayed text message informs me that Brian Calhoun is the newest Lion. Yay! Now we have three backup running backs not capable of taking the burden off of injury prone Kevin Jones or mediocre quarterback Jon Kitna.

9:00 p.m.- Sorry, no real updates to be had here. The Pistons are not making a good sports day of this at all.

10:56 p.m. – Chalk one up in the loss column for the Pistons who just got dropped by the Bucks by 20 points. It’s a different era in Detroit when the Lions and the Tigers had a better day than the Pistons.

     If you count the few hours I slept for, it’s a total of 11 hours of pure Detroit sports coverage. Sure Matt Millen screwed up the draft as always and the Pistons and Red Wings got beat by teams they were better than, the point is the Tigers won, and my phone is once again ringing, meaning the Patriots are probably trying to call about my impending multi-million dollar contract.

Jon Gunnells is a journalism junior at Michigan State University who seriously declared for the NFL draft like two years ago. If you're an NFL team, you can reach him at gunnell2@msu.edu

Welcome to The Gunn Show where the Knicks jokes are always free

In this technological blogging age we live in, everyone seems to be a sports expert, a writing expert, or in my case a combination of both. Non-bloggers may question my credibility as a journalist due to my lack of interviews, or use of spell check. To put the doubters in their place today, I would like to bring “The Gunn Show’s” first interview to the internet. Ladies and gentleman please welcome Tigers fanatic and super-analyst Todd Hallack.

Q: Since we live in the internet age, everyone seems to think they are an expert on blogging or sports writing, even though they are not. What makes you a credible, knowledgeable, Detroit Tigers fan fit to discuss the Tigers on a prestigious blog like The "Gunn" Show?

A: Well I have been a fan ever since the 1984 World Series team that went 104-58 even though I was born on February 23 1985. Actually the Tigers are my favorite Detroit team, even though they haven't had a winning season since 1993. I watch almost every Tigers game and when they are 20 games back with only 10 games to play I still feel that they will win the division

Q: So basically not only are you a true fan, you’re also slightly delusional?

A: Yeah pretty much.

Q: Out of curiosity who did you vote for in the NGS 1?

A: Ty Hildenbrandt.

Q: So you voted for Ty huh? Even though the creator of "The "Gunn" Show is your roommate? Why is that?

A: That’s because of your Feb. 4th post where you said that Michigan should be a #4 seed. After that you lost all of your credibility.

Q: Interesting, although may I point out I did get all the No. 1 seeds correct. Besides its not my fault Dion Harris’s ankle is made from cardboard. Moving on Even though Rondell White isn't a Detroit Tiger, do you think Rondell White Power would be an appropriate nickname for him?

A: No. In fact I think the only appropriately nicknamed Tiger is Dmitri “Meathook” Young who earned his name after he gouged someone’s eye out with a meat hook. Also I’d like to take this opportunity to mention Rondell White’s birthday is the same day as mine.

Q: You know my birthday is the same day as Hillary Duff’s, some say that makes us destined to be together, what do you think?

A: I think you need to start aiming lower.

Q: Like Kansas City Royals lower, or Lindsay Lohan “I look like an anorexic crack addict lower?”

A: More like 1972 Tampa Bay Buccaneers lower.

Q: EEEEEEEE.If you could compare the impact Todd Jones’s facial hair has had on facial hair in the MLB to say, some famous facial hair from history who would compare it to. General Burnside? Or President Lincoln?

A: General Burnside, anyone can grow a beard. What Burnside and Jones grow takes real talent.

Q: Lets pretend for a moment that you chose Lincoln in order to help me segue to my next question better. Do you think Jones can emancipate the Tigers from the A.L. cellar?

A: I predict that Jones will lead the American League in saves and help the Tigers break their losing season streak. Also in a wild twist, Jones will start wearing a doo rag and wearing his hat to the side a la Fernando Rodney.

Q: What about bling? Do you see Todd Jones donning any major bling around his neck like Fernando Rodney, or Flava Flave?

A: Yeahhhh Boyyyyyyyy!!!

Q: Alright last question cause we're running out of time here.... give me a prediction in terms of wins and losses and division standing for the Tigers. Do you think they have a shot at the Wild Card?

A: So far the Tigers are on pace for 100 wins and I am going to say that they are going to throw away a few of those wins and end up with 95 wins and 67 losses and WIN the Central Division. Now I know people will be saying what was he thinking and I know I say this every year but, this is their year.

Alright this concludes another poignant yet not credible interview by “The Gunn Show,” next week we’ll speak with current Knicks coach Larry Brown’s cable guy and the person who used to wear a pair of Jordan shoes.

The old crumbling red brick row is chipping away as every moving car passes by Michigan and Trumbell. Weeds fill the sidewalks where vendors sold hot dogs for over 90 years, and the parking lot, usually accustomed to street vendors clad with min-bats and Tigers hats has long been emptied.

Nine years ago the white baseball mansion otherwise known as Tiger Stadium still carried the smell of hot dogs and the crack of wooden bats into the overhanging bleachers in right field.

A lot has changed since 1999 when the Detroit Tigers took to the hitter’s park for the last time.

            Old friends named Alan Trammel, and Kirk Gibson came back, and left, again. A singing hot dog vendor emerged, as did new landmarks of three story high prowling tigers, baseball bats, and a dolphin swimming on a building side overlooking the center field wall.

            As Comerica Park became christened as the new baseball Mecca in Detroit, Old Tiger Stadium with it's long Wrigley like concrete ramps, MLB pennants, and throwback Tigers logos was forgotten.

            Last week, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick met with members of the Detroit City Council to discuss the future of one of baseball's most historic landmarks.

            After the meeting, ideas of demolition swirled and plans to turn the corner of Michigan and Trumbell into a shopping center, or another parking lot emerged.

            But is demolition for the future home of compact cars, or a Super K-Mart really the proper burial Tiger Stadium deserves?

            For nine decades Tiger Stadium was home to players like Ty Cobb, Hank Greenberg, Jack Morris and Al Kaline, home to Ernie Harwell, the '84 World Series champions and the culture of Detroit sports.

            Many advocates and Detroit baseball die-hards have created websites and lobbied to restore the building that was once home to so many great baseball memories and records.

            But without the man power or will to restore and maintain Detroit's most coveted sports landmark it is merely a lost cause.

            Instead of half-heartedly leading an effort to restore the now peeling and crumbling sports stadium, Mike Illitch and the Detroit Tigers organization need to give Tiger Stadium a proper burial by bringing back one more series to where baseball previously thrived.

            For just one weekend series, either this season or next, the Tigers should give the place a face lift and one last hoorah. They could play a division series against an old-rival, and bring back the old players to raise the excitement level of what would be an already historic weekend.

            They could pull the weeds, paint the chairs, and remove the tree that is growing in the outfield. They could bring back the vendors, the hat stands, and the old crowd that used to watch baseball back when baseball was America's pastime.

            Money shouldn't be an object. Never mind the fact that Detroit Tigers owner Mike Illitch is rolling in wads of cash from his other business ventures: Olympia Entertainment which encompasses Comerica Park, Joe Louis Arena, The Fox Theater, Hockeytown Cafe, Hockeytown Authentics, the Tigers, the Red Wings and so much more.

            Besides, fans young an old would no doubt eat the cost of an inflated admission ticket, or a hot dog and a box of Cracker Jack's just for a shot of that old time baseball nostalgia.

            The idea is feasible from an economical standpoint because it is certain baseball fans would still care enough to see one last home stand at the corner. In terms of man power and restoration efforts, the lobbyists would help because they already pushed to refurbish the tiring eye sore that hovers over Interstate-94.

            To the casual fan it may be over the top, but to long time, old fashioned baseball enthusiasts it's the proper send off Tiger Stadium has earned. After weekend series, turned Tigers celebrity alumni weekend party, mayor Kilpatrick can bulldoze the old white walled structure as soon as he can.

            Sure it will be sad. Sure it will signal the dawning of a new era for the corner of Michigan and Trumbell - an era that will either involve 24-hour one stop shopping, or five dollar easy out parking, but that's okay, because old Tiger Stadium will have gotten the it's ride into the sunset.

Jon Gunnells is a journalism junior at Michigan State University whose first baseball game was at Tiger Stadium. Of course, the Tigers lost. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu

One fan's opinion:

After a hot-hot-hot start the the 2006 season, the Tigers cooled off drastically yesterday dropping their second straight contest of the season.

I could see the Tigers setting themselves up for a big let down, but then again, the puzzle pieces are in place for things to be different this time. The young J-Crew pitchers: Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Jordan Tata, and Joel Zumaya have proven themselves worthy at the major league level. And although the bats have cooled off lately the rising bats of the Tigers club cannot be silenced for long. Granderson, Thames and Shelton will be back soon to help the Tigers compete for the A.L. Central. Of course they will have to prove it the rest of this week as they will be tested against the defending World Series Champion Chicago White Sox and the 5-1 Cleveland Indians.

Hot:

The Tigers have not committed an error yet this season through their first seven games. Chris Shelton leads the league in home runs with five. All five Tigers starters won their first start this season for the first time since 1911.

Not hot:

Chris Shelton is 0-8 in his last eight trips to the plate. Todd Jones is still on the DL.

Okay, so maybe it's a tad early for bold predictions like Shelton for the American League MVP but come on can you blame me? The kid just went the yard for the fifth time this season through only four and a half games.

I knew Shelton was going to be good. This much was obvious when the Tigers let Pena go, and didn't re-sign Rondell White but, five home runs this soon is amazing.

Even more amazing is that Magglio Ordonez, Marcus Thames, and Carlos Guillen each have at least two home runs themselves. Granted they are playing in a hitters ball park in Arlington but, they set club records with home runs in consecutive games after they collected to send twelve deep ones in two games.

The Tigers, now in the fourth inning against the Rangers, are leading the AL Central. In fact, all three Detroit sports teams are leading their divisions, conference's and leagues right now. If you want to get technical, the Lions are 0-0, and they too are leading the league. I must say, although it is early, I never thought the Tigers would show such domination.

I can only imagine where the team would be if they didn't toss away Farnsworth last year, or if Todd Jones wasn't injured. Jordan Tata and Joel Zumaya are playing well, so it might not matter. Still, it would be a thing to see. As would a strong outing by rookie pitcher Justin Verlander tomorrow.

Go Tigers.

Adding two all-star pitchers to a group who featured two fourteen game winners last season might be enough to put the Tigers among the pitching elite in the American League Central Division this season. While they are fairly young, the Tigers starting rotation is capable of combining for 65- 70 wins.

The Ace- Kenny Rogers is slated as the No. 1 pitcher for the Tigers, but there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the real show stopper is in the Tigers bullpen. Right handed 23-year-old Jeremy Bonderman is beginning his fourth year in the MLB. Coming off of a 14 win season Bonderman should be ready to live up to the hype of being labeled the next Roger Clemens. Bonderman led the Tigers with 145 strikeouts last season.

No. 2 – Like Bonderman, Rogers recorded 14 wins in 2005. Rogers had a lower E.R.A. but only had 87 strikeouts. Rogers doesn’t have a fastball that can hit the 90s like Bonderman does, but he should be the  reliable No. 2 option the Tigers have been looking for.

No. 3 – This year might as well be “make or break” for Mike Maroth who needs to show the Tigers organization he fits into their future plans. Maroth has been inconsistent the last few years, however last season he did manage 14 wins. If Maroth brings his A game to the table on a daily basis he can help the Tigers become a shutdown pitching squad. Maroth one hit the Yankees last season.

No. 4 – Nate Robertson is arguably the most likeable player on the Tigers, but his pitching stats are not. Robertson went 7-16 last season, in part because of a tendency to walk numerous batters. Robertson has practiced accuracy this season, and has vowed to cut down his walks.

No. 5 – It’s almost sick to think about what Bonderman and Verlander will do to teams in years to come. I say years to come because 23-year-old Verlander, unlike Bonderman, cracked the starting rotation for the first time this season. A year from Old Dominion, Verlander went 11-2 last season with a 1.29 E.R.A. for the AA Erie SeaWolves. Verlander had a 5.2 strikeout to walk ratio in 2005.

Bullpen:

CP Todd Jones- After representing the states in the WBC, Jones returns to Detroit as the closer where he owns the club record with 42 saves (2000). Imagine if the Tigers didn’t trade Kyle Farnsworth last season, this would be a scary eight to ninth inning combo.

CP Fernando Rodney – When Jones doesn’t close the deal, or the Tigers go into the ninth without the lead, Rodney will be the go to go. Rodney had 9 saves last season, which is low because he lost time to Ugueth Urbina, Farnsworth and Troy Percival. This season 12-15 saves would not be unfathomable.

MR Jamie Walker – Walker has shown signs of life in the past, but it’s been difficult to see where he fits into the Tigers plans, especially with an ever changing bullpen with young members. Walker should be a decent middle reliever this season.

Jon Gunnells is a journalism junior at Michigan State University and the runner-up for the Inaugural Next Great Sports Writer competition. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu

Although they’ve struggled over the past few seasons, the Detroit Tigers still fielded a powerful outfield each of the last two seasons. This year isn’t any different.

LF Craig Monroe – Monroe’s spot in the middle of the Tigers batting order should once again land him a pile of RBI. Last season, Monroe finished with 89 RBI and 20 dingers, but he was on pace to do much more. It will be interesting to see how Monroe wil play without his best friend, Carlos Pena, on the Tigers roster.

CF Curtis Granderson – Curtis Granderson will be the Tigers fourth center fielder in the last five years replacing other speedsters such as Nook Logan, Alex Sanchez, and Monroe who took reps in the middle, when the Tigers still had Rondell White. Granderson hit 23 home runs and recorded 23 steals last season for the Tigers AAA affiliate, the Toledo Mudhens, and scouts say he is ready to make the transition to the bigs.

RF Magglio Ordonez – If he can stay healthy, Ordonez’s presence may give the Tigers offense they lift it needed. The Tigers signed Ordonez last season to a seven year $105 million contract. In return Ordonez only hut eight home runs and recorded 46 RBI.

Bench Outfielders:

Marcus Thames – Last week Thames was optioned down to the Mudhens, but he should still see a decent number of games with the Tigers.. Last season Thames consistently belted home runs in AAA ball but failed to put up good numbers with the Tigers.

Nook Logan – Nook will be moved all around the Tigers outfield this season enabling players like Ordonez and Granderson to get some rest. If he plays he should find himself in he leadoff spot instead of Granderson, or in the ninth spot. Logan is a switch hitter who is known for good base running and bunting skills, he had 23 stolen bases in 2005.

Brandon Inge/ Dmitri Young: Inge and Young will also be rare outfielders this season when the roster permits.

Jon Gunnells is a journalism junior at Michigan State University and the runner-up for the Inaugural Next Great Sports Writer competition. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu

For the first time since hot pants and hyper color shirts were in style, the Detroit Tigers will enter April with one of the better infields in the American League. With a nice mix of veterans and young talent from the farm system the Tigers infielders may have what it takes both offensively and defensively to put Detroit in the middle of a pennant race.

1B Chris Shelton – Shelton’s offensive numbers impressed the Tigers organization so much it created a domino effect from the young infielders to veteran outfielders. Shelton’s .299 batter average last season made it easier for the Tigers to part with first baseman Carlos Pena and designated hitter Rondell White. Shelton is projected as the eighth batter in the Tigers opening day lineup but that is certainly subject to change.

2B Placido Polanco – It’s tough to decide what’s bigger about Polanco. His head or his batting ability. After being traded to the Tigers from the Phillies last season for Ugueth Urbina, Polanco recorded a team high .331 batting average. Consistent play at second base and staying in the A.L. this season will turn some heads. Don’t be surprised if he is atop the all-star voting for his position.

SS Carlos Guillen – Rumors about Guillen’s health have been swirling this off-season. Guillen missed 75 games last season, and may miss more this season due to an unhealthy back. If Guillen is unable to compete, 23 year old Tony Garratano will suit up in his place. Giarratano is quicker in the field, and has better base running ability, but he does not have the batting efficiency or on the field leadership that Guillen possesses. Guillen must be in the plans if the Tigers want to finish above the Indians and Twins this season.

3B Brandon Inge-  The good news is Brandon Inge’s batting average is up .80 from two years ago. The bad news is, it’s only .260 now. Although he’s got  the lowest average of the Tigers starters, he always seems like one who comes through with the late inning home run, or game winning bunt. Defensively Inge gives Detroit many options. In the past he has played catcher, left and center field, and well too.

C Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez – For the third straight year, expect to see a more Atkins approved version of Pudge Rodriguez both physique wise and talent wise. Pudge’s numbers like his weight have been down the last few years. Defensively Pudge’s arm and catching ability is one that cannot be topped, however defense is only part of the picture.

Towards the end of last season, Rodriguez expressed displeasure with his teammates which won’t help his cause in Detroit. It would behoove the Tigers to start working on deals which would bring more efficiency in the batting order as well as a more team oriented player.

Bench Infielders:

Omar Infante - You can’t argue with Infante as the back up second baseman especially since he started for the Tigers for much of last season.

Dmitri "Meat Hook" Young – When he isn’t batting cleanup in the dh spot, Young should see time behind Chris Shelton at first base or behind Brandon Inge at third. Last season, Young re-tooled his swing, and as a result he struggled. If he works out the kinks this season there should be no reason he doesn’t bat near .310.

Jon Gunnells is a journalism junior at Michigan State University and the runner-up for the Inagural Next Great Sports Writer competition. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu

Every year around this time I can’t help but excited over Tigers baseball. Sure, I’ve only been alive for one playoff birth, and I was too young to remember that, so it’s no wonder I’m getting razzed up over what could be the best Tigers season in nearly two decades.

Over the last three seasons the Detroit Tigers organization has slowly but surely acquired, traded for, and developed players much better than the Motor City is accustomed to.

Key losses:

DH/OF: Rondell White : Although he only spent two seasons with the Tigers, White provided depth at the outfield positions while also consistently beefing up the batting order. However, the emergence of young outfielders such as Curtis Granderson and Nook Logan as well as the healthy return of Magglio Ordonez has left no room for White in Detroit. White was signed by the Minnesota Twins, and will be used as their designated hitter.

1B/DH: Carlos Pena: After a stint with the Tigers AAA affiliate the Toledo Mud Hens, Pena went on a tear hitting home runs on a daily basis. At last seasons end, Pena’s inconsistency left his future in Detroit questionable. A long slump during spring training eased the Tigers decision – Pena was cut.

CP: Troy Percival: Depending on where you stand this may not be a “key loss,” especially because Percival spent much of the 2005 season with an injured shoulder. But, without Kyle Farnsworth and Ugueth Urbina his departure leaves Detroit with a weaker bullpen than the Tigers had in 2005.

Key Additions:

CP: Todd Jones: After a four year hiatus the two time Rolaids Relief man returns to the Tigers as the official closing pitcher. As of late things haven’t gone well for Tigers closing pitchers: see Percival’s shoulder injury, or Urbina’s need to set people on fire. Regardless, Jones is in his old form, the form when he used to shut down opponents night after night even without the defense or hitting to back him up.

SP: Kenny Rogers: Rogers is a great free agent acquisition regardless of his recent scuffles with camera men. Although he is old he is still an all-star caliber pitcher, giving Detroit a dependable second option behind Jeremy Bonderman. A spot Mike Maroth has not yet earned.

Rising Stars:

1B: Chris Shelton: Shelton’s emergence as a power hitter basically wrote Carlos Pena’s ticket out of town. It also solidified Dmitri Young as the official designated hitter, allowing the Tigers to release Rondell White and his unnecessary contract.