Detroit Free Press

THE FUNERAL OF THE LOGOS — IT’S A SIGN OF THE TIMES

THE FUNERAL OF THE LOGOS — IT’S A SIGN OF THE TIMES

The Tiger slowly made his way through the jungle. He'd been traveling for days. It was a sad journey, but he had no choice.Over the mountain. Down the river. Finally, he clawed through some vines and into a clearing.The trees were tall, of white ash, and had "Louisville Slugger" written across their trunks. Old baseballs hung from the branches. The rocks were shaped like bases. And there, around a small campfire, sat a group of cartoon- like characters.A Pirate. An Oriole. A Brave. Two Red Socks. They were moaning softly."No pitching . . . "
SHE’S FLO WITH THE GO, A REAL-LIFE SUPER HERO

SHE’S FLO WITH THE GO, A REAL-LIFE SUPER HERO

SEOUL, South Korea -- Oh, Florence, be for real! Tell us that blazing world record in the 200 meters Thursday was yours and yours alone, that your magnificent sprinter's body is all hard work and dedication, that when you crossed the finish line and waved your hands and beckoned to your husband, Al, to join you in glory, and he lifted you and swung you in his loving arms and the stadium roared with delight -- tell us all that was genuine, real hero stuff, because the Olympics need that right now. In the worst way.
MOVE OVER, DARLING; IT’S TIME FOR US TO TRADE PLACES

MOVE OVER, DARLING; IT’S TIME FOR US TO TRADE PLACES

BOSTON -- Listen. I have a trade to propose: Me for Ron Darling. One for one. Here's the deal. Darling, the New York Mets' heartthrob pitcher, gets everything I own. Everything I ever accomplished. Everything I ever laid my eyes, ears or hands on, including my first bicycle. And I get to be him for 24 hours.That's all. Just one day. I do not jest. Everything in the kitty. For 24 hours.
EVEN LIONS ARE UNDEFEATED IN NATION’S TOP SPORTS TOWN

EVEN LIONS ARE UNDEFEATED IN NATION’S TOP SPORTS TOWN

I am getting a little tired of traveling around the country and hearing sports fans say: "Oh, you're from Detroit? How are they doing?" The next person who says that to me, I kick.The fact is, Detroit is doing better than any other sports city in 1987, thank you. And I am sure people in such high- cultured, well-educated places such as New York and Los Angeles would quickly realize this, if they ever stopped shopping.
LANDRY’S OK; WALSH’S OK — BUT DITKA AND ROGERS?

LANDRY’S OK; WALSH’S OK — BUT DITKA AND ROGERS?

A lot of people were shocked last week when Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka suffered a heart attack. But I was not. After all, one look at the volatile coach, ranting and raving on the sidelines, and you knew that he was an accident waiting to happen.The truth is, in football, it is possible to tell the stress levels of coaches simply by watching them on Sunday afternoons.
ROGERS WAS TALKED INTO LETTING LONG THROW PASS

ROGERS WAS TALKED INTO LETTING LONG THROW PASS

TAMPA, Fla. -- Chuck looked at Darryl.Darryl looked at Chuck.Joe looked at Darryl.And Darryl looked at Joe.Then Joe and Darryl both looked at Chuck, who was still looking at Darryl, I think.You getting all this?"Oh, all right, get on in there," Darryl said.Ta da.The Long era begins.Let the history books show that with 2:06 left in a meaningless game in a sun-stroked Florida stadium, Detroit's quarterback of the future saw his first NFL action. And here it was.He called the play, marched out of the huddle . . .
WINGS’ FANS SHOULD CHECK THIS ONE OUT

WINGS’ FANS SHOULD CHECK THIS ONE OUT

From now until late next week, if you see someone from St. Louis, I think it only fitting that you immediately lower your shoulder and slam him into the nearest wall. In the interest of team spirit, of course.We are talking hockey. We are talking playoffs. We are talking the key to the Detroit Red Wings-St. Louis Blues series, which begins tonight. "Checking," the players predict."Checking," the coaches predict.

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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