April in the D

As this will be my last blog post, I was having a difficult time thinking about what to write about.  I've written about March Madness, musical performances at sporting events, and even Eminem in this blog.  For a fitting wrap up, however, I decided that only one topic would suffice...Detroit sports!  They are my passion and the thing I waste way too much time on, but in the end I can't get enough of them.  Tigers, Red Wings, Lions, and yes, even the awful Pistons, it doesn't matter...I love 'em all.  That is why this is the most exciting time of the year.  Fox Sports Detroit has trademarked the April in the D slogan, and it has become a staple in the Detroit area.  From the Red Wings, who have made the playoffs for 21 consecutive years, to the Tigers, who have World Series aspirations after the signing of Prince Fielder, to the Pistons, who are trying to reclaim their former glory, to the Lions, where recent successes in the NFL draft have made them a championship-caliber team, April is the best time of the year for Detroit sports fans.

The best part of April is Red Wings playoff hockey.  The games are intense, violent, and thoroughly entertaining.  Every goal matters, every penalty a game changer, and every coaching decision magnified in the playoffs. Nothing beats it, and I'm sure everyone in Detroit would agree with me.

Additionally, expectations have never been higher for the Detroit Tigers.  With the signing of Prince Fielder, the Tigers have arguably three of the best players in the Major Leagues in Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, and Fielder.  They have gotten off to a hot start thus far in April and seem to be rewarding owner Mike Illitch's investments in star players.

While the Pistons are currently in rebuilding mode, there was a point when the Pistons were the model of franchise consistency.  From 2003-2008, the Pistons made the NBA Eastern Conference finals for six straight years.  Recent ownership changes have hindered the growth of the franchise, but the hiring of coach Lawrence Frank and the continued development of Greg Monroe, Rodney Stuckey, and Brandon Knight form a solid core of players going forward with in the future.

And finally, the Lions.  A laughingstock for so long, coach Jim Schwartz and GM Martin Mayhew have put together a string of solid drafts to put a championship-contending team on the field.  Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, and Ndomukong Suh are ready to lead the Lions to a Super Bowl victory.

In short, now is a time for optimism in Detroit sports.  In a city that has been devastated by financial hardship and poor leadership, sports (and games) are breathing life into the people of Detroit.