Just got an email from the Detroit Insider saying Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers may be sidelined for 3 months!

Follow updates in the link below…

Read Kenny Rogers will be out three months at MotownSports.com

One of my favorite days of the year is opening day, and on Monday, April 2nd, the Detroit Tigers will open their 2007 season at home versus the Toronto Blue Jays. Jeremy Bonderman gets the starting nod, as the Tigers look to defend their AL Pennant.

My prediction for 2007 is another strong season like last year. The AL Central might just be the best division in baseball and unfortunately one or two great teams might miss out on the playoffs (like the White Sox last season). The Tigers added the big bat they needed by trading for Gary Sheffield and other than that, the roster is pretty much the same. Pitching will be the key for the Tigers run to the playoffs, but with another year under their belts, the Tigers young arms should be ready for the challenge.

Read Detroit Tigers Opening Day 2007 at Absolute Michigan

This has nothing to do with the Tigers or Opening Day, but Rasheed Wallace hit a 60-footer last night to send the game into overtime versus Nuggets. The Pistons went on to win, check out the highlights!

Opinions on five current Detroit & national sports topics from yours truly…

1. March Madness - My brackets are decorated with lots of red X’s but I still have my champions left (Kansas in my “A” bracket and Georgetown in the “B”). I admit I haven’t watched any games yet, and for some reason gave up listening to sports radio for Lent (I clearly wasn’t thinking), but I just haven’t been that excited about it. Not many upsets and some blowouts don’t keep people on the edge of their seats.

2. Justin Verlander - He has struggled this spring, but I think everyone can relax as he didn’t throw much over the winter. He will be back to normal by April 1st. I like him to win 17 or 18 games again this year as he continues to learn how to pitch…

3. Todd Bertuzzi - His debut is now here, but Babcock isn’t expecting much right now. All eyes will be on Bertuzzi in the playoffs though as by then he should have some games under his belt and be moving close to full speed. He was a great addition and should help the Wings stay physical in the playoffs.

4. Chauncey Billups - This injury could be a blessing in disguise as Billups get some rest before the playoffs. A fresh, healthy Billups will guarantee the Pistons a trip to the Finals. Now about Rip’s struggles…

5. Michigan Basketball - I am a huge Spartans fan, but I would just love to see Tom Crean get the job just to go head-to-head with Tom Izzo. You would have two terrific and competitive programs. That would be something to see. If I was hiring right now, I would be looking towards West Virginia for my next coach…

If you want to let the me know what you think, you can always send me an email at leelanausportsguy@sportspig.com or post a comment!

Saw this at Need4Sheed.com and it reminded me of lunchtime back in high school and doing all the crazy trick shots - over the backboard, off the wall, etc.

Anyway this is a video of Rasheed Wallace at practice losing (and winning some) Pepsi’s to Ron Harper while trying all kinds of trick shots.

Read Arenas Plays For Cash - Rasheed Plays For Pepsi at Need4Sheed.com

The Detroit News has compiled a list of the Top Michigan athletes by jersey number. Check it out and let them know of any they missed…

Read Top 99 Athletes in the Detroit News

My View: Here’s some of my favorite jersey numbers from the list above…

#20 - Billy Sims is the main reason, but Barry Sanders has something to do with it too.

#19 - My all-time favorite Red Wing.

#52 - Hey, she’s from Leelanau County, plus she’s a great player!

#11 & #4 - They will always be together in my book as the duo led the Pistons to their first two titles.

#3 - My all-time favorite Tiger.

Steve Kerr has the Detroit Pistons ranked #5 in his latest NBA Power Poll behind the four Western Conference favorites. Kerr likes the defense the Pistons are showing, as do Pistons fans, as they move up a spot from the previous week.

Read Jersey swamp at Yahoo! Sports

I finally got around to listening to a Pistons game last night, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s not to say I haven’t been paying attention, just hadn’t actually caught a game yet.

Here’s what I think of the 2006-07 Pistons…

• First things first, sign Chauncey Billups to a long-term deal as soon as you can! Seriously, he is the Pistons best player and once again proved it last night. He struggled early but came up big in the 4th quarter. Lock him up!

• I love the bench. With Rasheed’s injuries, some other guys have gotten time, most notably Jason Maxiell. I love Maxiell, he’s looking like he will be a solid contributor and has made me forget about Big Ben alot faster than I thought I would. He’s undersized, but is a wide-body and can score. Not a bad combination. Plus, that dunk last night was awesome!
• Carlos Delfino is going to be a solid player in this league. It might end up being somewhere else, where he could possibly get more minutes, but he is a player.
• I like that Flip is using his bench and getting the young guys in the mix. The more he can rest the starters, the better. The Pistons offense has been up and down at times, but the defense seems to be cranked up a bit compared to times last season. I didn’t think I would say that with the loss of Big Ben, but I think it’s true.
• Best record in the East. This does surprise me. The Pistons are one of the favorites, if not the favorite, at this early point in the season and will be a tough out for any team in the East. If they stay healthy, they can reach the finals.

So needless to say, I am going to try to start catching more games!

Read Pistons control finish in the Detroit News

The Pistons have quietly won 7 games in a row, making fans forget the sluggish start, after defeating the Miami Heat 87-85. The defense came up big, especially Rip Hamilton on Dwayne Wade, but Fox Sports Charley Rosen takes a deeper look at a familiar site for Pistons fans.

Read Pistons seem to be regaining defensive pride at FoxSports.com

From what I have read and heard, the jury is still out on the how much the loss of Big Ben will hurt. How the new higher-powered offense will be, and how much Nazr Mohammed will be able to contribute.

Here’s some previews…

Read Detroit Pistons 2006 Basketball Preview at Absolute Michigan
Read The Orange Roundie’s Central Division Preview at YAYSports
Read Pistons convinced life without Ben Wallace will be OK at SI.com
Read NBA.com 2006-07 Season Preview: Detroit Pistons at NBA.com

Sorry for the lack of posts, alot of the Detroit Sports Blogs I visit seem to have hit the same wall, namely postseason baseball! The Tigers have taken up lots of my spare time and along with the regular everyday busy life the blog has suffered. Nevertheless, here’s my thoughts on the current state of Detroit Sports!

Detroit Tigers - WOW! and WOW! Everyone in northern Michigan seems to be buzzing with World Series fever as the Tigers get set to face the Cardinals/Mets winner. I am pulling for the Cards because their offense doesn’t seem as scary. I know, I know, what about Pujols? He is scary, but I think top to bottom the Mets lineup is stronger. Plus I would love to see a Leyland vs. LaRussa World Series. I know, they don’t actually play, but seeing them match wits head to head would be alot of fun.

I will be travelling down to the Motor City this weekend, no tickets unfortunately, but will probably try to cruise down and check out the craziness that will be at Comerica Park. I can’t wait to see it!

Check out lots of Detroit Tigers Info at Absolute Michigan

Detroit Lions - Lost in World Series fever is the fact that our beloved Lions won their first game of the season. Coach Rod Marinelli was awarded the game ball and he deserves it. I know it doesn’t show up in the overall record, but I am seeing some good things out of our Detroit Lions. They have been competitive in every game but one, and could easily be .500 with a break here or there. I think Marinelli will get this turned around, despite Millen’s goofs and I expect a playoff team possibly next season, but for sure in Marinelli Season 3.

Detroit Pistons - I have seen lots of positive press about Jason Maxiell and I have to say I am excited about the upcoming Pistons season. They will miss Big Ben, but this team will score more and be much better offensively, which might be necessary as the “D” might be down from what Pistons fans have seen the last few seasons. Either way, the Pistons will contend for the Eastern crown.

Detroit Red Wings - I will admit, haven’t really given much attention to the Wings yet, but once the World Series is over, they will be back on my radar.

Detroit Shock - Their second WNBA Title came without much of a word from me, so for that I must apologize. Congrats! I keep wondering why no NBA team has made Bill Laimbeer an NBA coach!

Michigan Wolverines - #3 in the BCS and could be setting things up for a #1 vs. #2 matchup when they travel to Ohio State. That’s something I have been predicting all along and now it’s beginning to look like I may have finally been right about something.

Michigan State Spartans - After the Illinois loss, I have been down on my Spartans. Now 3-4 and clinging to a possible bowl bid, they are through the worst of the schedule. I don’t know if there’s enough left in the tank, but John L. will give it his best shot.

That’s a quick look into the mind, not much going on as you can tell, but I will try to post more frequently and will try to snag some photos from my Detroit trip.

Go Tigers!*

*From what I can tell this is the new way to say Good-bye in northern Michigan!

Well, it happened, I ran out of time to put together a good post on the above mentioned subjects, so I went ahead and found some good bloggers and articles about them. Of course I will always leave my little comments!

The Captain retires
We all knew this day was coming and of course it’s a very sad day for Red Wings fans. The greatest Red Wing ever (I’m a child of the seventies) was fun to watch play and lead by his example. There would be no Hockeytown without Stevie Y.

Read Yzerman’s Backloaded Career Almost Happened In Ottawa at Out of Bounds

Big Ben signs with Bulls
I was 50/50 on whether I wanted him back or not, so it wasn’t a big surprise or a big letdown. I liked that Dumars wasn’t going to go overboard to keep him and thought he made a more than fair offer. I think Big Ben’s best days are behind him, so a 4-year deal was more than I wanted to see anyway. I will cheer him when he’s not playing the Pistons. Thanks for the memories Big Ben!

Read Big Ben’s gone, off to Chicago at Sweaty Men Endeavors

Another good article on both…

Read Double whammy in the Detroit News

Tigers still in 1st
Although listening to the “experts” on the radio, not many are giving them a chance to be in 1st at season’s end. It’s going to come down to the starting rotation if that can happen or not. I still believe it can. Regardless of what happens I think this season can be considered a success and a big building block for the future.

Read Tigers hope pitching rotation holds up during second half at MLive

Beach Bums win again!
So far the Traverse City Beach Bums are a perfect 3-0 when I am in attendance. Last night I honestly didn’t get to pay much attention to the 9-0 win as I was busy chasing a 3 year old and a 22 month old around in the lawn seats. The lawn by the way is a great place to watch from. The 4th of July fireworks were spectacular as well!

Read Casoli twirls third straight shutout in 9-0 Beach Bums win at TCBeachBums.com

Yahoo! Sports Dan Wetzel breaks down the winners and losers of last nights NBA Draft. It’s easy to pick the biggest loser, Isiah Thomas, but lots of winners from the draft as well.

I just love this…

The NBA draft is Christmas in June for Detroit Lions president Matt Millen, the day that Isiah Thomas reaffirms to everyone that it is he, and not Millen, who is the worst executive in professional sports. Called a “bum” by one Knicks fan in the crowd, Train Wreck Thomas used the 20th pick on an undersized forward out of South Carolina who never averaged double-figure points or rebounds, exasperating even the mild-mannered Bilas and prompting him to rip Isiah to shreds.

Hilarious!

Read Winners and losers in the Yahoo! Sports

Pistons Draft Update
The Pistons drafted point guard Will Blalock out of Iowa State with the 60th and final pick in the draft, and traded small forward Maurice Evans to the Lakers for 7-foot-1 center Cheick Samb from Senegal. Samb was the 51st pick.

Read Pistons grab Iowa St. point guard Blalock in the Freep

My View: Blalock could be a very solid player for the Pistons off the bench. He’s a natural point guard and might allow Chauncey some minutes at shooting guard. Samb is very tall, and very skinny, but is worth a shot after Evans disappointing season.

Michigan State Draft Update
All three Spartans were drafted and two made it in the first round. Shannon Brown was the 25th overall pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Maurice Ager the 28th overall pick to the Dallas Mavericks. Paul Davis went in the second round with the 34th overall pick to the L.A. Clippers.

Read Waiting game in the Freep

My View: Brown joins Lebron in Cleveland and that will make for a very exciting lineup when both are on the floor. Ager goes to a title contender that needs more shooters. Davis was disappointed by going in the second round, but I think he should consider himself lucky to be drafted at all. The Clippers should be a good fit and he should be able to get some minutes there, provided he makes the final roster.

Sorry it’s been slow around here, but haven’t had much of a chance to get to the blog. Here’s my thoughts on the latest from the world of sports…

Tigers continue winning streak
The bats are alive again, and combine that with the continued success of the starting pitching means another winning streak for our Tigers! I can’t even imagine how lame Detroit sports would be right now without the Tigers leading the majors. Getting anxious for my first trip to Comerica in a couple of years on Sunday to see the Tigers and Cardinals go at it. You know things are going well when rotation fill-ins (rookie Zach Miner) throw five-hitters.

Wings looking at Luongo?
Rumor has it that as early as this weekend Florida Panthers goalie Robert Luongo could be traded. The Wings, Vancouver and Los Angeles are the frontrunners. This would be a great deal for Detroit and would give them a star goalie they didn’t have last year.

NBA Champion Miami Heat, argh!
I will admit I was cheering for Dallas, which could explain why they lost, so it hurt when the Miami Heat finished them off with four consecutive wins last night to claim the NBA Title. Dwayne Wade, all I can say is “that guy is good!” I am laughing though at people comparing him to Jordan though. Jordan never had a 7′ 2″ center to help him drive to the basket and create space. I am guessing that without Shaq, the Heat wouldn’t have won the title. End of story.

I really think this Marinelli guy is going to be good
The attitude and the attention to detail he is demanding is exactly what the Lions franchise needed. I am still a little nervous about the quarterback position, but it can’t get any worse, so I guess that’s a positive.

My busy week continues as tonight is a trip to Wuerfel Park to see the Beach Bums tangle with the Evansville Otters!

Although the shooting percentage of everyone not named Antonio McDyess or Tayshaun Prince was still low(I mean very bad), the Pistons were able to stay alive after winning game 5, 91-78 and sending the series back to Miami. We should have come to expect that our Pistons would show up and win, they always do when their backs are against the wall.

Everyone is talking about the block as the big play of the evening and it would be hard to argue. Must find a TV to watch game 6! Go Pistons!

Read It’s not over! in the Detroit News

Sure we’ve been here before. Elimination game. Everyone writing them off. We’ve doubted them before and they have proven us wrong, do they have it in them to win three in a row against the Heat? My gut tells me no, but these still are the Pistons we are talking about. I think. They don’t resemble the team I am used to seeing, but they still are in there somewhere, hopefully ready to break out!

I don’t have a lot of time to analyze the game, plus I didn’t see it, so here’s the breakdown from my favorite bloggers…

Read The Pistons are broken. The question is, are they fixable? at The Wayne Fontes Experience

Read Is It Too Early? at KevinAntcliff.com

Read Tired? Bored? Pissed? Take your pick. at Luke Waltons Forehead

Read Daddy’s home, and he’s not happy at Sweaty Men Endeavors