Greatest Sports Moment #6: Tanana blanks Blue Jays (1987)

The Tigers appeared dead a week earlier. Then, Kirk Gibson hit a dramatic home run in Toronto which turned the pennant race around. Toronto did not win again. Detroit went 5-2 down the stretch. On the final day of the 1987 season, Larry Herndon homered and Frank Tanana pitched a shutout as the Tigers swept Toronto and won the AL East. They did not return to the postseason again until 2006.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkbwXMBHaPY

Greatest Detroit Sports Moment #7: Yzerman in OT (1996)

The Red Wings enjoyed an amazing regular season in 1996. In Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, St Louis took Detroit to Game Seven. In the second overtime, the captain scored the game winner. Detroit won the game 1-0 and advanced to the Western Conference Finals against the evil Colorado Avalanche. Steve Yzerman's goal is now one of the most replayed moments in hockey history.

Cultural side note: listen to the crowd sing "Whoop there it is" after the goal forever dating this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAOYjVxP2wc&feature=related

Greatest Detroit Sports Moments #8: Hello Heisman! (1991)

Desmond Howard experienced a magical season in 1991. He capped it off with a 93-yard punt return for a
touchdown against Ohio State. After finishing the run, Howard struck a familiar pose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxpoqP9PkqM&p=C8C09D8737ECEB33&playnext=1&index=26

Greatest Detroit Sports Moment #9: Charles Woodson's INT vs. MSU (1997)

This is the sweeting interception you will ever see. Of course MSU would be the opponent!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z09R3uZinGs

Greatest Detroit Sports Moment #10: Igor Larionov's 3OT Winner (2002)

The pesky Carolina Hurricanes put up a fight in the first three games of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals. They won Game One in overtime and lost Game Two 3-1. Game Three went three overtimes before Igor Larionov scored to break Carolina's back. The 'Canes never recovered and were outscored 6-1 in Games Four and Five as Detroit won another Stanley Cup.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84lZw2pkz7U

Greatest Detroit Sports Moment #11: 007 (1990)

Detroit and Portland were tied at 90 with 20.1 seconds to go in Game 5 of the 1990 NBA Finals. Vinnie Johnson sank the GW hoop with 0.07 seconds to go to propel Detroit to their second straight championship. I was at Palacevision for the game and witnessed the shot with 19,000 of my closest friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTs3ZoGYXXY


Greatest Moments #11-15:

11. 007 (1990)
12. The Dez: 4th and a ft vs. ND (1991)
13. 3-1 comeback vs. Toronto (Bro-phy!) (1987)
14. Probert- Coxe (1987)
15. Barry Sanders

Greatest Detroit Sports Moments #12: The Dez Stretch vs. ND (1991)

Desmond Howard was an amazing football talent. In 1991, Howard made an amazing 4th down catch giving Michigan a 24-14 lead in the 4th quarter. Amazingly, this was not the signature play of his 1991 season. His best play came against Ohio State and will be seen on the countdown later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJA3sJawFaY&feature=related

The countdown so far:

12. The Dez: 4th and a ft vs. ND
13. 3-1 comeback vs. Toronto (Bro-phy!)-1987
14. Probert- Coxe
15. Barry Sanders

Greatest Detroit Sports Moment #13: Red Wings beat Maple Leafs (1987)

The Red Wings fell behind 3-1 in the Norris Conference Finals against Toronto. Maple Leaf coach John Brophy called Detroit a bunch of chokers. They rallied to tie the series and then won Game 7 behind Glen Hanlon's shutout. In the 3rd period, Wings fans taunted Toronto's coach with chants of "Bro-phy!" Here is WDIV's Sports Final Edition from that April.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzUuhi0GAkM

Greatest Detroit Sports Moments #14: Probert vs. Coxe (1987)

This is the greatest fight that I have seen in hockey. It's #14 on my all-time list of great Detroit sports moments...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFAReX5k9cA

Recap:
#14. Probert vs. Coxe
#15. Barry Sanders

Greatest Detroit Sports Moments: Barry Sanders #15

I decided for S&Gs to come up with the greatest sports moments in my life. The first 13 came to me in like 10 seconds. Naturally, I needed to round it out to 15.

#15 is simply titled Barry!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCtNbDOIDzg

History Shorts: The Birth of Chinese Civilization (2070 B.C.)

The first dynasty in Chinese history appeared in 2070 B.C. Although many dynasties followed, the Xia Dynasty represents the beginning of the longest continuous civilization in the world.

This is the only pop culture clip set in Ancient China I could find...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcPJ5qSnrEI

History Shorts: The Pyramids (2600 B.C.)

Continuing a pop culture look at history making moments...here is a look at the the building of the pyramids.

Traditionally, scholars believed slaves built the pyramids. Recent discoveries demonstrate that free workers may have actually done the work. There are almost 140 known pyramids with the biggest being the Pyramid of Khufu. Egyptian leaders began building the structures around 2600 B.C.

The most famous look at Pyramid building occured in The Ten Commandments. However, that does not seem to be readily available.

This is an animated look at Egyptian monument building:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qj6pX15-rs&feature=related

Here is the lego version of pyramid building...sounds like a group of Jawas working to the music of the Beastie Boys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXWDho_9Bn0&feature=related

Obama's Approval Numbers look bleak

Here they are courtesy Gallup and Rasmussen: It's the bloody Titanic...

Overall:

46% approve/53% disapprove

By Gender:

51% of men and 40% of women disapprove

Right Track/Wrong Track

84% believe the country is headed in the wrong direction

By Party/Ideology:

75% of Democrats approve
12% of Republicans approve
38% of Independents approve

By Race:

88% of blacks approve
38% of whites approve
54% of Hispanics approve (down significantly as of late)

By Socioeconomic Class:

46% of poor approve (first time under 50% for this group)
42% of rich approve
44% of the middle class approve

Congress:

Congressional Approval: 19%

Confidence in Congress: 11%

57% believe Congress is run by extremists

Generic Ballot:

GOP leads Dems 46-39%



Presidents at the same Juncture:

Eisenhower: 65%
Kennedy: 67%
Nixon: 55%
Carter: 41%
Reagan: 41%
Bush 41: 75%
Clinton: 41%
Bush 43: 67%

The Greatest Detroit Tigers Rightfielders

1. Al Kaline (1953-74): HOF, Gold Glove, 1955 Batting Champ, 1968 World Champion, 3000 hits, 1955 AL Hits leader


2. Sam Crawford (1903-17): HOF, 1908 HR Champ, 3x RBI Champ, 5x Triple Champ, .309 career

3. Harry Heilmann (1914-29): HOF, 4x batting champ, .403 in 1923, .342 career, 1921 hit leader, .410 career OBP

4. Kirk Gibson (1979-87, 1993-5): 1984 World Champion, 1984 ALCS MVP, Big HR in 1987 pennant race, The 84 WS HR vs. Goose

5. Magglio Ordonez (2005-present): All-Star, Silver Slugger, 2007 AL Batting Champ, .312 career, Pennant Winning Walk-off HR

6. Jim Northrup (1964-74): 1968 World Champion, Mr. Grand Slam, GW hit 1968 WS

7. Pete Fox (1933-40): 1935 World Champion, .298 career hitter

8. Vic Wertz (1947-52, 1961-3): All-Star, 100 RBI 2x,

9. Pat Mullin (1940-1, 1946-53): All-Star, .271 career hitter

10 . Pat Sheridan (1986-89): .253 career hitter, GW HR in ALCS

The Greatest Detroit Tigers Left Fielders

1. Willie Horton (1963-77): All-Star, 1968 World Champion, Threw Brock out at Home GM5 WS, 100 RBI 2x, 36 HR in 1968


2. Bobby Veach (1912-23): .310 career, 3x RBI Champ

3. Goose Goslin (1934-37): HOF, All-Star, 100 RBI 3x, 1935 World Champion, World Series Championship Walkoff

4. Heinie Manush (1923-27): HOF, 1926 Batting Champ

5. Rocky Colavito (1960-63): All-Star, 45 HR, 140 RBI in 1961

6. Dick Wakefield (1941, 1943-4, 1946-49): All-Star, 1943 AL Hits leader, First Bonus Baby

7. Bob Fothergill (1922-30): .325 career, 3x hitting .350 or better

8. Charlie Maxwell (1955-62): All-Star

9. Larry Herndon (1982-88): 20 HR twice, Division Winning HR vs. Toronto

10. Bobby Higginson (1995-2005): 100 RBI (2x), .300 hitter (2x), 20+ HR (4x) 3 HR game vs. Mets, Threw out lots of runners

All Time Detroit Tigers Shortstops

1. Alan Trammell (1977-1996): 1984 World Champ, 1984 WS MVP, All-Star, Gold Glove, The Real 1987 AL MVP


2. Billy Rogell (1930-39): 1935 World Champion, Gehringer said he was the best SS he played with, consider greatest Tiger SS until Tram

3. Harvey Kuenn (1952-59): All Star, 1953 ROY, 1959 Batting Champ, AL Hit Leader 4x

4. Carlos Guillen (2004-Present): All-Star, Hit .290 or better 4x (.300 or better 3x), injuries curtailed his career

5. Donie Bush (1908-21): Led league in walks 5x, .356 career OBP

6. Eddie Brinkman (1971-74): All-Star, Gold Glove, dropped f bomb on live TV

7. Johnny Lipon (1942, 1946-52): Hit .290 or better 3x

8. Charley O’Leary (1904-12): .226 career hitter

9. Topper Rigney (1922-25): Hit .300 twice; .288 career

10. Jackie Tavener (1921, 1925-8): #13 in 1927 MVP voting

All Time Tigers Third Basemen

1. George Kell (1946-52): HOF, All-Star, 1949 Batting Champ

2. Ray Boone (1953-58): All Star, 1955 RBI Leader

3. Marv Owen (1931-37): 105 RBI in 1936; Got in fight during 1934 WS; 1935 World Champion

4. Travis Fryman (1990-97): All-Star, Silver Slugger

5. Don Wert (1963-70): All-Star, 1968 World Champion; Pennant winning walkoff single (1968)

6 Brandon Inge (2001-Present): All-Star

7. Pinky Higgins (1939-46): All Star

8. Aurelio Rodriguez (1971-79): Gold Glove

9. George Moriarty (1909-15): Got MVP votes in 1912 and 1914

10. Tom Brookens (1979-88): 1984 World Champion, Once caught a game

The Greatest Detroit Tigers Second Basemen

1. Charlie Gehringer (1924-1942): HOF, 1937 MVP, 1937 Batting Champ, All Star, 2800 hits, 1935 World Champion


2. Lou Whitaker (1977-95): All-Star, 1978 ROY, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, 1984 World Champion

3. Placido Polanco (2005-09): All-Star, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, 2006 ALCS MVP, .300 hitter, record errorless streak

4. Dick McAuliffe (1960-73): All-Star, 1968 World Champion

5. Eddie Mayo (1944-48): 1945 World Champion, MVP Candidate

6. Jerry Priddy (1950-53): Led league in games played 1950 and 1951

7. Frank Bolling (1954-60): Gold Glove

8. Damion Easley (1996-2002): All-Star, Silver Slugger, 100 RBI in 1998

9. Ralph Young (1915-21)

10. Jake Wood (1961-66): Led the league in 3bs in 1961

The Greatest Detroit Tigers First Basemen

1. Hank Greenberg (1930, 1933-1946): Hall of Fame, 2x World Champ, 2x MVP, All-Star, 4x HR Champ, 4x RBI Champ, .313 career hitter, Pennant winning Grand Slam (1945), Would have hit over 500 HR had he not gone to war.

2. Norm Cash (1960-74): All-Star, 1968 World Champ, 1961 Batting Champ

3. Cecil Fielder (1990-96): All Star, 2x HR Champ, 3x RBI champ, Only Cecil and Babe Ruth led the league in RBI three straight years, 2x Silver Slugger

4. Rudy York (1934, 1937-1945): 1945 World Champ, All Star, 1943 HR and RBI Champ, Most HR in a month for non-steroid player (1937)

5. Darrell Evans (1984-1988): 1984 World Champ, 1985 HR Champ

6. Lu Blue (1921-27): 4x .300 hitter for Tigers

7. Miguel Cabrera (2008-present): 2008 HR Champ

8. Jason Thompson (1976-80): All Star

9. Tony Clark (1995-2001): All Star

10. Dave Bergman (1984-1992): 1984 World Champ

Quick note on Cabrera: He is in his third full season with Detroit. He will undoubtedly leapfrog Blue and Evans quickly and overtake York and Fielder by year 5. He'll have to be here awhile to catch Cash. It is an extreme longshot, but he does have a shot at Greenberg.

Quotes of the Month-July 2010

Quote of the Month: "We already have a UN on the ground and it's worthless. Now you want to build one in space?"

-Charles Krauthammer on NASA's mission to the Muslim World

Manly Quote of the Month: “Five hundred twenty starts, I never refused the ball. What a joke!”

- Jim Bunning on Stephen Strasburg


And the rest...


"So I decided I'm going after the bad hair vote."

-Barbara Boxer on her bad hair


"You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal."

-Cleveland Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert on "the Decision."


"Obama's only idea of addressing joblessness thus far has been to keep people out of work even longer."

-SE Cupp


“It’s like going to heaven before you die.”

-Whitey Herzog on his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame


"You were the wind beneath the Hawk's wings."

-Andre Dawson to Cubs fans on his induction


"Charlie Rangel should play the Joker in the next "Batman" movie. He could take over Gotham, one rent-controlled apartment at a time."

-Dennis Miller


“Each generation gets the music they deserve.”

-Ray Mazarek