by Mitch Albom | Nov 17, 1993 | Detroit Free Press
Fourth of five excerpts from from “Fab Five: Basketball, Trash Talk, the American Dream” by Free Press sports columnist Mitch Albom. “Fab Five” is published by Warner Books, 359 pages, $21.95.
On a cold January night in 1973, Jeanne Rose felt the stirrings of her fourth child. She called her brother Len — “Hurry up, I’m having the baby” — to drive her to the hospital. He raced over in his green Fiat, helped her in and slammed on the accelerator. By the time they reached the hospital, Jeanne was deep into contractions.
“Hang on!” Len urged.
“I’m trying!” she said.
by Mitch Albom | Nov 16, 1993 | Detroit Free Press
Nothing dogged the Fab Five’s reputation more than trash talk. And never was there more trash talked than in the Michigan-Cincinnati game during the 1992 Final Four in Minneapolis.
The young Wolverines were already famous for jawing, and the Bearcats were pretty damn good, too. Cincinnati’s entire roster was made up of transfers or junior college players, which meant that — unlike the Fab Five — most of the Bearcats were not highly recruited. They were the leftovers. And they had something to prove. They flexed. They boasted.
They talked.
by Mitch Albom | Nov 15, 1993 | Detroit Free Press
In “Fab Five: Basketball, Trash Talk, the American Dream,” Free Press sports columnist Mitch Albom chronicles the triumphs and disappointments of the University of Michigan freshmen who shocked the college basketball world with their talent and their...
by Mitch Albom | Nov 14, 1993 | Detroit Free Press
In “Fab Five: Basketball, Trash Talk, the American Dream,” Free Press sports columnist Mitch Albom chronicles the triumphs and disappointments of the five University of Michigan freshmen who shocked the college basektball world with their talent and their braggadocio. Today’s excerpt, the first of five in the Free Press, deals with U-M’s desperate pursuit of high school stars Juwan Howard and Chris Webber — and others’ questionable attempts to get Webber to play elsewhere. “Fab Five” is published by Warner Books; 359 pages, $21.95.
Rinnng! Rinnng!
by Mitch Albom | Nov 13, 1993 | Detroit Free Press
* Green Bay 20, New Orleans 19: Reggie White’s a minister, the opposition’s called the Saints, and the game is played on Sunday. Do we watch, or genuflect?* Houston 30, Cincinnati 7: Secret negotiations were under way this week to have Don Shula transfer...
by Mitch Albom | Nov 12, 1993 | Detroit Free Press
Now that’s showbiz. In fact, in its first week, the NBA has already produced several rookie sensations, a red-headed giant who can’t shoot straight, and an angry player trying to strangle his general manager.Pretty good for an opening act, huh?In case...
by Mitch Albom | Nov 12, 1993 | Detroit Free Press
It’s the bye week again, and all across our city, football fans are preparing for the worst. Some are digging out old tapes to satisfy their football cravings. Others are planning to stay out all night Saturday, so as to sleep through the football-less next...
by Mitch Albom | Nov 9, 1993 | Detroit Free Press
Khhlmmphph!
Thought I’d parachute into this column.
And now, sticking with that theme, allow me to parachute into your charitable thoughts, the way “Fan Man” — that’s what he’s calling himself — came parachuting into the ring Saturday night in Las Vegas. (In the old days, by the way, a guy interrupts a big fight, they beat him up and leave him in the street. Today, he goes to the hospital and gets a Movie of the Week.)
by Mitch Albom | Nov 8, 1993 | Detroit Free Press
As they always say, don’t think and drive. So I asked for a ride home Sunday from the Silverdome. Three weird happenings, and I truly needed to concentrate.Here’s what threw me:1) A run. 2) A walk. 3) A shove.The run refers to the Lions’ record,...
by Mitch Albom | Nov 7, 1993 | Detroit Free Press
Maybe you see God. Maybe that’s the sensation football players whisper about, after a crunching hit coughs the life from their bodies and they collapse like puppets into the turf. Maybe it’s a religious thing, the gates of heaven swinging open, your maker taking a fleeting look, ready to call you home.
