Detroit Free Press

RED WINGS’ PLAYOFF HOPES NOW RESTING ON A PRAYER

RED WINGS’ PLAYOFF HOPES NOW RESTING ON A PRAYER

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!"
ALARMING IDEA: PISTONS MISSED A GREAT CHANCE

ALARMING IDEA: PISTONS MISSED A GREAT CHANCE

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.
BRONCS SKINNED – FANS GET WHIPLASH

BRONCS SKINNED – FANS GET WHIPLASH

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.
TIGERS’ FIRST-PLACE STORYMUST WAIT FOR ANOTHER DAY

TIGERS’ FIRST-PLACE STORYMUST WAIT FOR ANOTHER DAY

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"?
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, IN SEARCH OF GOOD MATERIAL

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, IN SEARCH OF GOOD MATERIAL

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?"
TOMBA COOL AND FINE, JUST LIKE RED WINE

TOMBA COOL AND FINE, JUST LIKE RED WINE

NAKISKA, Alberta -- There were hands around his waist, hands grabbing his neck and two, three, four hands slapping him on the head."ALBERTO! ALBERTO!"He waved. He laughed. He pointed playfully to the No. 1 on his racing bib. There were Italian flags behind him and Italian flags in front of him, and five, six, seven hands slapping him on the head."ALBERTO!""FANTASTICO, ALBERTO!"

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.

Subscribe for bonus content and giveaways!