Detroit Free Press

IF THERE’S TIME TO WIN, BIRD WILL FIND A WAY

IF THERE’S TIME TO WIN, BIRD WILL FIND A WAY

There is only one person on the Boston Celtics that worries me and that is Larry Bird. You can throw out as many Dee Browns and Brian Shaws as you want. Tall guys? Bring on the tall guys, Kevin McHale, Joe Kleine, Ed Pinckney. Even the old man, Robert Parish -- who recently celebrated his 92nd birthday -- even him, I can handle. I need an ax. But I can handle him.
WITH WEBBER, NO LONGER A KID, THE IMAGE IS OFTENONLY PART OF THE REALITY

WITH WEBBER, NO LONGER A KID, THE IMAGE IS OFTENONLY PART OF THE REALITY

Think about 19. Think about where you were, what you were doing. Maybe getting drunk at a frat party, maybe starting a job you knew would never last, maybe flopping on the couch, watching TV, trying to decide what to do with your life. It's an in-between age, 19, and most likely you felt torn at some point by the childhood behind you and the adulthood that lay ahead. Like a wishbone.
GAME OF GOOD CHEER, BUT NOT IN PRESS BOX

GAME OF GOOD CHEER, BUT NOT IN PRESS BOX

I pass a man who is stark naked, except for his boxer shorts. Half his body is painted blue. Half is painted yellow. He is sitting in the parking lot, tossing a football, making a "Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!" sound, like a train, coming 'round the bend."Excuse me," I say, nonchalantly."Pardon me," I say.
’20/20′ GAFFE ISN’T O-TAY WITH SPANKY

’20/20′ GAFFE ISN’T O-TAY WITH SPANKY

Whenever I get a spare moment, I try to think deep and meaningful thoughts, such as what is life, who invented the split pea, and, of course, whatever happened to Buckwheat?I thought I had the answer to the last one recently, when the ABC-TV show "20/20," aired a segment claiming to have found Buckwheat, a former star of the Little Rascals comedies. According to the show, Buckwheat was working as a grocery bagger in Tempe, Ariz.
HOW LOW ARE THE LIONS? BUCS WILL BEAT ‘EM AGAIN

HOW LOW ARE THE LIONS? BUCS WILL BEAT ‘EM AGAIN

* BUCCANEERS 26, LIONS 21: And you know how much it hurts me to pick Tampa Bay to win anything.* CHICAGO 17, GREEN BAY 16: Have you noticed that Mike Ditka's press conferences are a lot more interesting than his team?* CLEVELAND 15, NEW ENGLAND 7: Oooh. Here's one you won't want to miss. * DALLAS 20, LA RAIDERS 12: Sorry, I still think Todd Marinovich is a cross between Alfred E. Neuman and Archie.

Mitch Albom writes about running an orphanage in impoverished Port-au-Prince, Haiti, his kids, their hardships, laughs and challenges, and the life lessons he’s learned there every day.

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