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Detroiters find home sports teams more depressing than the economy
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It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.
When the economy tanks, the stuff in gas tanks is worth more than gold, and the golden hopes of the average guy are spiraling down, Detroiters put great stock in their sports teams.
Hey, where else could we count on stock?
Even when things DO go well, we love our sports. It’s more than living vicariously from a sofa perch; it’s a way of life here. It’s pretty much What We Do — 24/7.
Best times/worst times: Sports fans in Detroit surely know which times it is here. And it’s been some time since the best of times have prevailed, in at least three of their four professional sports teams.
Fans of professional football can’t even speak the L-team word without gagging.
“I can’t enter Ford Field,” one said. “I get nauseous. Even beer doesn’t help.”
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Victorious Patriots RB Corey Dillon hugs Lions' QB Jon Kitna.
With its current season of 0 wins and 11 losses, the Detroit Lions team is more than just a thorn in the sides of fans and ticket holders who have shelled out bad money after bad. The Lions are not merely a national joke anymore. They are the word-that-shall-not-be-mentioned every Monday from coast to coast. They are not just a matter of utter shame for resident fans of their hometown; they are the reason people talk seriously about the team being permanently scrapped.
Over the last several non-winning years, fans have demonstrated their disdain by holding extended tailgate parties outside of the Lions’ home turf at Ford Field and not attending the games they had tickets for. The few times they have ventured inside, they have booed in concert, worn opposing team jerseys and pulled stunts geared to draw attention to the sorry state of the team’s work ethic.
If there is a secret for any team success to be found in their efforts, it remains to be discovered. There isn’t an individual player’s name worth referencing, so dismal are the ongoing results, and so under the radar the players try to remain.
How, HOW, do they justify accepting a paycheck?
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All kidding aside, do the Pistons have what it takes?
Grand Rapids DJ Kevin Matthews stayed on air for the 1st Tigers win for '08--a long time as it played out.
Chapter Two in Detroit sports woes centers on Pistons’ fans. Things have been especially rocky since Ben Wallace defected for the Chicago Bulls, Richard “Rip” Hamilton’s game fell apart, Rasheed Wallace regularly raised the pique of refs who toss him from games (some of which they haven’t even bet on), and Tayshaun Prince seems rudderless.
They, too, have been down the losing road in the last four years, although they did revel in one world championship in 2004. Placing their trust in the phone-it-in victory promises of recently traded team captain Chauncey Billups and the equally lackluster coaching of the departed Flip Saunders, they’ve watched the fruitless months fly like calendar pages in a B-movie.
Still, fans keep attending home games and contribute overall to the hundreds of sellouts the Palace of Auburn Hills has enjoyed. They are glad to have former player Michael Curry back in the fold as coach, and are awaiting McDyess’ return in that weird turn of events. But at what cost, given the ongoing anemic economy?
“You gotta wonder when it will end — the going-through-the-motions attitude that shows,” said a die-hard, but disappointed, fan. “They convey a blue-collar work ethic in their advertising, but the rote game play is getting really old. They need a sense of urgency, as if their wages are really based on effort, like that of their fans.”
The recent strange disappearance of Lindsay Hunter and Billups/Antonio McDyess trade for Allen Iverson was done in management’s hopes to secure another world victory. Iverson has proven to be a nicer person than he was some years back — and seems genuinely happy to be here. But has he already peaked, as many fans say? So far, their 8-4 season is merely the S.O.S. of the 2005-2008 seasons.
The hope of the spring and summer season was yet one more predictable Lions and Tigers and…Whatever Debacle.
By 2003, the Detroit Tigers baseball franchise had the distinction of being called “the worst team of all time — without a good excuse.” Rebuilding it in 2005 led to a single brilliant year in 2006, when names like “Pudge” Rodriguez, Justin Verlander and Brandon Inge threw the team to the top of the heap — for the first time in 13 years.
Dreams of winning the World Series were in sight, but it didn’t happen. By 2007, the players were plagued with injuries and their ’08 performance ended at 74-88.
Pretty poor kitty roar, said a baseball aficionado.
“What could management be thinking, given the losing year after year and trades of the talent we have landed?” he said. “It’s become just a social outing to be at Comerica Park; people don’t even watch the game when they do attend.”
With hockey scores looking a little healthier for the home team in the win column so far, there’s a good chance the Red Wings could fly us to some semblance of victory this year. Despite the ongoing change in roster and untouchable ticket prices, home rooters can feel the glow, if no other way than via TV screens.
“It’s just too bad no one can afford to make a family event of it at a Red Wings’ game,” said a home watcher. “Sports are becoming too expensive to attend for the average fan, so what’s the point of supporting the teams, win or lose?”
So, Virginia, Enricque and Jamal: In total, the stock market might be less risky if your money is on the home teams in Detroit. And, don't get people started on the college teams.
"Let me know when the University of Michigan gets moved into the high school football league to compete," said one disgusted fan. "They might have a chance to win then."
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Red Wings Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula give sports fans something to cheer about.
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