Red Wings Should Have Kept Vernon; Why No Outrage?

Red Wings Should Have Kept Vernon; Why No Outrage?

by | Aug 19, 1997 | Detroit Free Press

I went away for a while, and now I’m back. I always know when it’s time to come back because I’m usually traveling far from home and I see something on the news that makes me yell, “You’ve got to be kidding!”

So there I was, down in Mexico, the surf rolling in, the margaritas flowing like a Las Vegas lobby fountain. And I picked up a day-old copy of the Los Angeles Times and I saw a report that said Red Wing goalie Mike Vernon, the hero of the Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner, was about to be traded to the San Jose Sharks for a couple of draft picks.

Red Wings Should Have Kept Vernon; Why No Outrage?

Dumars Returns For No. 13

by | Jul 31, 1997 | Detroit Free Press

Joe Dumars will be back for his 13th season with the Pistons.

They announced Wednesday that Dumars, a free-agent guard, had signed a contract for one season that Dumars said was for $3 million.

His return was no surprise. “Since being drafted by the Pistons in 1985, I have never considered playing anywhere else,” Dumars said.

He had sought a two-year contract, but the Pistons wanted to take it a year at a time. The team’s initial offer supposedly was around $2.5 million. Dumars made $5 million against the salary cap last season.

Red Wings Should Have Kept Vernon; Why No Outrage?

Sampras’ Peerless Talent Obscured By Lack Of Rival

by | Jul 7, 1997 | Detroit Free Press

“He’s human, but not by much.” Todd Woodbridge, on Pete Sampras

Quick, somebody, get the man a rival. A foil. An enemy. A villain with a sword. Get him a Wilt Chamberlain for his Bill Russell, a Pharaoh to his Moses, a Lex Luthor to his Superman. Otherwise, Pete Sampras, the greatest tennis player we have ever seen, may skip over our horizon without anyone realizing what a remarkable talent he truly is.

Red Wings Should Have Kept Vernon; Why No Outrage?

Yes, It’s A Wacky World In Merry Old England

by | Jul 6, 1997 | Detroit Free Press

LONDON — Yes, once again, it’s time for our annual report on our forefathers across the pond, the people who gave back Hong Kong but kept the Spice Girls, the people for whom the Fourth of July is simply another lousy day in the colony business, yes, I’m talking about the Brits.

What’s ‘appening ovah ‘ere?

Red Wings Should Have Kept Vernon; Why No Outrage?

Weepy Wimbledon Always A Tearjerker

by | Jul 5, 1997 | Detroit Free Press

You cry when you lose Wimbledon. Some cry on the inside, and some cannot help it, the tears flow right there on Centre Court, in front of everyone.

You wouldn’t think there was much in common between Jana Novotna, the blond Czech who hopes to win her first Grand Slam today, and Boris Becker, the redheaded German who Thursday waved good-bye to this tournament forever. But they do share this: They have both shed tears for Wimbledon.

Red Wings Should Have Kept Vernon; Why No Outrage?

The Real Deal: Hill’S Happiness Counts Most

by | Jun 17, 1997 | Detroit Free Press

Sometimes, it’s what’s not in the picture that tells the story. Here was Doug Collins, a hard-working, passionate coach, making an announcement about his return to the Pistons — with a restructured contract no less. Sounds good, right? Sounds like a happy occasion?

But the owner of the Pistons, Bill Davidson, wasn’t there. He left the building a few minutes before the informal press conference began. And Pistons president Tom Wilson, who negotiated the deal, wasn’t there, either. He was on vacation in Hawaii. It was Collins, a press release and a microphone.