As excitement builds about the Tigers after three winning months in a row for the first time in years, I am reminded of the 1984 Tigers. In addition to a great start of 35-5, that team had no long losing streaks because they had three great starters (Morris, Petry and Wilcox) who could shutdown an opposing team. It was very rare when the Tigers lost all three games that they started. The 2021 version with Mize, Skubal and now Manning reminds me of the 1984 staff. They are shutdown starters. With them as part of the rotation, it is highly unlikely that the Tigers are going to have anymore long losing streaks. In addition, the backend of the bullpen with Funkhouser, Fullmer, Cisnero and Soto has made the Tiger bullpen one of the best in the American League.
Everyone is excited about the Pistons number one pick Cade Cunningham, as they should. He is multi-talented who can beat you so many different ways, who can also play defense. What is not getting much attention is the next two draft picks of the Pistons which really excite me. Isaiah Livers of the University of Michigan and Luca Garza from University of Iowa. These are high motor guys who were four-year starters on their college teams. Livers played in one final four and probably would have played in another had he not got hurt at the end of his senior year. Garza was the consensus national player of the year in 2021. He never stopped moving and he proved he could score from anywhere against anybody. His energy alone will earn him quality minutes in the NBA. The three recent draft picks combined with the two players who were part of this years all NBA rookie team make for an exciting future for the Pistons.
How quickly one can fall in this current age. Governor Cuomo has gone from the darling of CNN during the early stages of Covid, to a man that his own party is turning against and asking for his hide. Justifiably so. You cannot treat people like doodoo and expect it to not comeback and bite you. His treatment of women is the straw that broke the camels back. His treatment of people in general is what has created the tidal wave he is facing.
Just when we thought the borders between Canada and the U.S. were going to open up, the Canadian border agents are threatening to go on strike, which will threaten trade and border crossings to and from the U.S.
Not that my opinion matters, but I hope that governors, health officials, school boards and school superintendents do the right thing this coming school year and allow only in-person school for grades K-12, with all teachers and staff being required to be vaccinated. Masks for school aged children should only be required in those communities that have high positive test rates or hospitalization rates. Everything should be done to make this as normal a year for these our school aged children as possible.
Stay safe. Social distance. Wear your mask. Wash your hands regularly. Get your vaccine.
Orchid of the Day: DNR conservation officer Josiah Killingbeckunty efforts are being credited with helping rescue an injured 75-year-old man this week in Mason Co. Dispatchers in Lake County received a 911 emergency call around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday from a man who said he had fallen and broken his back, but the call was lost due to poor reception and couldn’t pinpoint a location, the department said in a statement Thursday. He was lost and on the ground for 11 hours before being rescued. He was taken by air transport to a critical care unit.
Onion of the Day: The Detroit Tiger hitters for their 18 strikeouts against Red Sox pitchers on Wed evening. That was like the April Tigers, not the current version. Fortunately the bounced back today with an 8-1 win.
Quote of the Day: “That sucked” My six-year-old grandson Nolan after one of the female performers from the Young Americans put her arm around Nolan and kissed him on the cheek while she was performing her song.