Detroit Free Press

I awake in the desert. The sun, she is hot. The earth, she is dry. My tongue, she is parched. Many moons have I traveled in search of the hidden treasure, the prize that no mortal has ever possessed: the sure thing in pro football.See the skeletons of those who tried before me. Some are curled in the sand. Some have the stale cigar still in their teeth. Hey, wait a minute, I know that guy. That's Ralph!

This is beautiful. We're here freezing in Michigan and Jim Harkema is out in the California sun, practicing for a bowl game. Isn't that ironic? Especially since he was on the verge of losing his team, his helmets, his field, the works, three years ago. Nobody wanted Eastern Michigan then. But sometimes, if you just stick with it. . . .

They left for the airport with the city waving goodby like a war bride. Would the Red Wings be back? Would there be a Game 6? Would this love affair between a motor town and a little-engine- that-could end on a Canadian battleground, thousands of miles away? Could that happen?"No! Come back!" the crowd at Joe Louis Arena seemed to scream Monday night, as the Wings fell to the Oilers, 3-2, their third loss in this best-of-seven Campbell Conference final. "Whatever you do, make sure you come home alive!"

BOSTON -- As the fourth quarter was about to begin Tuesday night, Pistons center Bill Laimbeer leaned into his team's huddle, sweat dripping from his chin, and yelled, "We can still win this thing! Come on! Come on!"You can understand his reminder. Up to that point, the Pistons had played as if victory was not on the menu in this venue.

CHICAGO -- Say what you want about George and Billy, Kareem and Magic, John and Tatum, but I think the most fascinating sports pair of the year are Mike Ditka and Jim McMahon.Smash and Crash. Sgt. Bilko and Sting. A coach and his quarterback.

SAN DIEGO -- Let us begin this little Super Bowl story on the sidelines, second quarter, where we -- oops! Look out! There goes Washington's Ricky Sanders streaking past for an 80-yard touchdown. Now we -- oops! Look out! There goes Washington's Gary Clark for a 27-yard touchdown. And we -- look out! Washington's Timmy Smith for a 58-yard touchdown. Maybe we could -- watch it! Sanders again, a 50-yard touchdown.Well, thanks for joining us.

Here was the idea: Find the Tiger who had waited the longest to be in first place. A timely concept, I figured. After all, the Tigers were awfully close to the first-place Yankees. I mean, very, very close. How close? Remember when Groucho Marx told his dance partner: "Darling, if I got any closer to you, I'd be behind you"?

MOSCOW -- It took three seconds. Maybe two. My feet had not yet left passport control in Sheremetyevo (Moscow) Airport when there was a voice and a face and a clipboard."You are . . . " the woman began in strained English. She was wearing a white dress and too much lipstick and a pin, an "Intourist" pin, which meant she worked for the hotels designated for outsiders. And that I would not be left alone from here on in."Sports journalist," I said. "American.""End yur name ees?"