Detroit Free Press

THE LIVE ALBOM:* Now here's something nice. In the past week I've spoken to Kirk Gibson, Dan Petry and Walt Terrell. All are former Tigers. All play now in California. And all live in Michigan during the winter.

It was hot inside the church. The bride and groom stepped to the altar. This was last weekend, Joe Maiorana's wedding, and his college pals were serving as ushers. Bill Ryan. Dave Maine. And, of course, Kurt Dobronski, his ex-room mate, his best friend, who had flown in from Phoenix for the occasion. "It was the first time," Bill remembers, "that all four of us were together in tuxedos."

Bruce Kimball killed two people earlier this month when his car swerved out of control and plowed into a group of teenagers. He had been drinking. He was taken away in handcuffs. Now, like any other American, he is awaiting his trial.This would not attract much attention under normal circumstances. Auto-related deaths, even those involving drunken driving, are too common in this country to grab many headlines.

MUIRFIELD, Scotland -- He has always had a great face. Thick black hair, dancing eyes, a grin that could open a steel-plated cookie jar. Look at him in a happy moment, he can blind you with brio. Look later, and you may see deeper inside, the poor Mexican kid hustling golf shots, the teenage Marine with the girl's name tattooed on his arm, the yakking prankster who charmed the sports world in winning six major championships. The years have put creases in that tanned skin now, yet when he laughs, the age vanishes. A great face will do that.

They are a like a Fourth of July sparkler down to its final seconds of flame. Where are the Atlanta Hawks now? Where is the team that stepped on everybody in the final month of the regular season? Where is the slam-jam, the midair excellence of Dominique Wilkins, the mile-a-minute breaks that left opponents with their mouths open?

Joe Bushofsky does not look like a killer. His face is wide and soft with the smile of a favorite uncle. But when you enter his office, especially during the last few weeks of NFL training camp, chances are something's going to die. And most likely it's your dreams.

EDMONTON, Alberta -- Long before the puck was dropped here Wednesday night, before the Detroit hockey season saw its sad and bitter conclusion with that final 8-4 loss to Edmonton, there was a crack in the heart of this Red Wings team. It may take a long, long time to mend.We are talking about an incident that left half the team angry, and its coach almost numb with disbelief. It is not a story I want to write. It is not a story you want to read -- not this morning, when we should be paying tribute to the fine effort of the Wings all year.