Detroit Free Press

VOTE EARLY, VOTE OFTEN FOR HEISMAN HOPEFULS

VOTE EARLY, VOTE OFTEN FOR HEISMAN HOPEFULS

I get a lot of letters asking how I will vote for this year's Heisman Trophy. And since the award is being given Saturday, I guess I better decide. Before I fill in the names, however, I want to modify the ballot, just a bit . . . THE HEISMAN MEMORIAL TROPHY1989 OFFICIAL BALLOT -- PLEASE PRINTI hereby designate (name & college) as My First Choice to receive the HEISMAN MEMORIAL TROPHY awarded to the Outstanding College Football Player of the United States for 1989. To the best of my knowledge he conforms to the rules governing the vote.
BARRY GOOD, BARRY FAST, BARRY THE RIGHT CHOICE

BARRY GOOD, BARRY FAST, BARRY THE RIGHT CHOICE

"I always wanted to play for the underdog."Barry Sanders, Heisman winner, upon learning Lions drafted him It was as easy as letting water out of the tub. The Lions needed speed? They took the fastest running back in the draft. They needed marquee value? They took the biggest star available. Never mind that the suspense was so thin, you could cut it with a paper clip. What do you want? Drama or improvement?
HE WORKS WEARING A MASK–BUT HE SEES EVERYTHING

HE WORKS WEARING A MASK–BUT HE SEES EVERYTHING

LAKELAND, Fla. -- He sees them all, every spring, from behind the bars of his sweaty black mask. The pitchers cannot hide. Not from him. With each thud in his glove he knows who is smokin' and who is just lighting up and who can't even generate a spark. You want to know something about something?Ask the catcher.
NO LINE AVAILABLE FOR THE DRESSAGE

NO LINE AVAILABLE FOR THE DRESSAGE

SEOUL, South Korea -- I will tell you how much football I have seen in the last two weeks. Twenty minutes. It is shown between 3 and 6 a.m. on Sunday nights here. One game. Usually Buffalo is in it, I don't know why.I do know, however, everything you need to know about rowing, yachting, bowling, synchronized swimming, dressage, judo, epee, butterfly, javelin, and rhythmic gymnastics.Unfortunately, I can't get a point spread on any of them.So here are this week's picks . . .
FOR HERNDON, HARD PART OF SUCCESS IS DISCUSSING IT

FOR HERNDON, HARD PART OF SUCCESS IS DISCUSSING IT

BOSTON -- By the time the clubhouse were doors opened, Larry Herndon was already dressed in shirt and pants and had one shoe on.Had he been able to get away faster he would have. But the team bus was not due for 20 minutes. Where could he go? A group of reporters approached, and he quickly found a TV set and stared as if his destiny were somewhere inside it."Can we get a comment on that tremendous home run?" asked someone to Herndon's shoulder blades, as the minicam lights flicked on."Uh . . . uh . . . I'd rather not," he said, stepping back like a trapped animal.
NOW GAETTI HAS IT ALL — INCLUDING RECOGNITION

NOW GAETTI HAS IT ALL — INCLUDING RECOGNITION

MINNEAPOLIS -- And the winner is: Gary Gaetti. No matter what happens. Three weeks ago he was a name heard only in Minnesota and a few select baseball circles. And now you've got Whitey Herzog wishing he had him and Sparky Anderson wishing he had him and a nation's worth of media fantasizing how great it would be if Gaetti graced their clubhouses during the regular season -- and not just during this wacky World Series.

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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