It’s like when the Red Sox won the World Series. It means something. It means something to this town, this team. It means something to the generations of mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters who learned to love each other - oh, and baseball, too - in the company of a great man.

It means something to those who have lost the baseball fans in their lives. It means something to the vast diaspora of Greater Michigania that followed the car companies out of town, but never forgot the loyalty or great decency that defines the place they’ll always call home.

The viewing held today at Comerica Park started at 7:00 AM and isn’t expected to finish until after midnight. The whole state is in shock and mourning.

It’s like when the Sox won the Series, only it sucks.

I never had the great pleasure to meet Mr. Harwell, but I played catch with my dad and little league with my buddies. I froze under blankets at Tiger Stadium in April and strained to tune in WJR at some campground Up North. I treasured the chance to hear him call one last inning during the All-Star Game or the World Series.

We all felt like we knew him like a dear family friend, mostly because he was, even if he didn’t know it yet. I’ve been sobbing all week.

I’ll always remember the Voice the Turtle on Opening Day, “Stood there like the house on the side of the road,” and “Loooong gone!” I will always - always - remember the great joy i get every day from loving Michigan, Detroit, and the Tigers.

Ernie Harwell means something to us because he simply reminded us that we all mean something to each other. He will be dearly missed, but only because he had such a tremendous ability to make people happy.

Goodbye, friend. Thank you for gracing us with your spirit and humility.

Did you know that CBS is changing “One Shining Moment” this year? Out with Luther Vandross; in with Jennifer Hudson. It’s true!

I find that I’m less able to deal with change as I grow older. Anyway, my only solace will be snacking on a box of free donuts after I beat everyone in my annual March Madness pick’em.

By now you know the drill.

Link: http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/en/group?groupID=47317

Group: Donutland
Password: lardlad

If, by some miracle of circumstance, you’re able to beat me, then you’ll win the donuts AND the right to make a papier-mâché crown so that you can force your co-workers to call you “King of All Donutland.” I mean, whatever floats your boat.

You don’t need to know anything about basketball. Tracy consistently beats me every year despite following a “closest to New England” selection strategy. This year she has Vermont beating Syracuse in the first round.

Besides, extra bonus donuts are awarded for good sports.

Tournament games start THURSDAY AT NOON. Be sure to join by then. I’ll send a reminder when it’s closer to game time.

I’m hoping we can get 50 contenders again this year. Please pass this along to friends.

todd

It’s 4pm on a Sunday, and Todd is sitting in his apartment, seriously jonesing for some donuts. What’s the address of his nearest fix?

Hint: It’s a trick question, but no, the answer isn’t “he already has some in his kitchen,” even if that might be true.

1. Go here: http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/frontpage
2. Create an entry.
3. Join the group “Donutland” using the password “lardlad”
4. Set your picks before the games tip-off THURSDAY AT NOON.

The short version: Fill out bracket. Win free donuts. Password: freedonuts

The longer, more self-important version:

Every year about this time, Greg Gumbel comes on my TV screen and reminds me that I forgot to send donuts to the winner of last year’s Donutland bracket challenge. So I hop onto DunkinDonuts.com and make it happen.

The thing is, this year, I have no idea who won last year. Yeah, yeah, mea culpa. So if you’re out there, expecting donuts, gimme a holla. I will make good on my promises.

For the rest of you: Same deal as usual. Win my NCAA tourney pool and get a free box of donuts - plus a full year of unprecedented, donut-themed bragging rights.

You don’t need to know anything about basketball. Gavrie keeps telling me that’s actually a disadvantage. Tracy is once again balancing “Law School Ranking” and “Proximity to New England” to recreate her epic Holy Cross - Harvard Final Four matchup.

Besides, extra bonus donuts are awarded for good sports.

Click here to join. ESPN should guide you through the rest.

Password: freedonuts

Tournament games start THURSDAY AT NOON. Be sure to join by then. I’ll send a reminder when it’s closer to game time.

Last year, we had nearly 50 contenders. Let’s beat that this year. Please pass this along to friends.

todd

P.S. First bonus donut goes to the first correct answer to the following question:

Who serves the world’s best donuts?

There is one correct answer, and no Joe, it’s not the one you’re thinking of.

P.P.S. - If the link above doesn’t work, follow these instructions.

1. Go here.
2. Create an entry.
3. Join the group “Donutland” using the password “lardlad”
4. Set your picks before the games tip-off THURSDAY AT NOON.

UPDATE [8:02 AM 8/31/08]: OK so that was bad. Michigan’s touted defense played horrible in the first half, and the offense never put the ball more than 3 yards downfield, let alone gained those yards.

Still, this team is just going to keep getting better and better. By the time Ohio State (spit!) rolls around, they’ll be ready.

To be on the safe side though, maybe 9-3 is more likely overall.

The Rich Rodriguez era begins in earnest this afternoon at a newly-skyboxed Michigan Stadium, aka The Big House. There has been much gnashing of teeth over how much the Blue will struggle this year while learning RichRod’s new system and waiting for the super-atheletic recruits who will really take it to the next level.

I think that’s bollocks.

Rodriguez is a coach who wants to win. He believes his system and his personnel give him the best chance to win. But he has also said again and again that he can and will adapt his system to the personnel he has.

Year after year, Michigan has one of the best recruiting classes in the country. I think the athletes in Ann Arbor will do just fine at this new system.

Plus, Rodriguez has one of the most intense strength and conditioning programs imaginable. No knock on Lloyd Carr, but this is one of RR’s specialities. I’m sure the Blue will be ready for the season and should maintain the high standards of the winningest college football program in history.

Do I think they’ll win every game?

I’m putting my money where mouth is with game-by-game predictions below. Realistically, Michigan only plays half a dozen tough games all year. They’ll win four of them.

They will be Ohio State.

Trust me, no one in Ann Arbor will have any problem running the ball or throwing the ball if their buddies are standing a little further away than last year. That’s all the spread offense really is.

First, if you haven’t joined Donutland, stop reading this and go sign up.

(The password is “lardlad”)

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s move on to the picks.

Round of 32

East

(1) North Carolina over (9) Arkansas

I know everyone says UNC will trip up somewhere, but I just don’t see who in their region will beat them. And after the Kelvin Sampson firing, I think Indiana runs the risk of not getting all their shoes on at once, let alone winning an NCAA game.

(5) Notre Dame over (13) Winthrop

As much as it pains me, I just think that big players play big games during March Madness. All things being otherwise equal, give me the team with the blue chip stud. Irish forward Luke Harangody is that stud.

As for the other teams in this subregional, a lot of people are picking George Mason to pull the first round upset. I rode Gonzaga to the Sweet Sixteen way too many times based on one memorable year to fall into that trap. I like Winthrop to upend Washington State mostly because after all the preseason hype, Wazzou just didn’t get it done this year in the Pac-10.

(3) Louisville over (6) Oklahoma

Yawn.

(2) Tennessee over (7) Butler

It’s soooo tempting to pick South Alabama to beat Butler in Birmingham. But the Bulldogs are an under-seeded Top 20 team. I don’t think they’re losing their first game.

I was unimpressed that Tennessee couldn’t build on the Memphis win, but I think they’re still strong enough to win this one.

Midwest

(1) Kansas over (8) UNLV

It’s boring to pick the #1 seed. Also, no one ever seems to accurately predict the sleepers. Bad news for all the Kent State bandwagoneers.

(5) Clemson over (13) Siena

Clemson is just a tick below UNC and Duke in the ACC. I can’t really explain the Siena pick. It just seems like Vandy is the type of team that could blow an early game.

They also, of course, could put it all together for 3 weeks and blow my chance of winning the donuts. But that’s neither here nor there.

(3) Wisconsin over (6) USC

Mayo over Beasley. Then Mayo leanrs how Big Ten basketball is played. I’m very high on Wisconsin.

(10) Davidson over (2) Georgetown

Davidson is good. Let’s not forget that. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t get my hopes up for Georgetown. I didn’t like Hibbert disappearing during the Big East tournament. One game, he scored zero points. That’s not the play of a stud who can carry you in the Dance.

South

(1) Memphis over (8) Mississippi State

I think Memphis has a laughably easy road to the regional finals.

(4) Pitt over (5) Michigan State

This was probably the toughest call for me. On the one hand, I was throughly unimpressed with the Spartans this year. They didn’t scare anyone. On the other, Neitzel is a stud who could start draining three’s all the way to San Antonio.

Unless the Pitt team that blitzed through the Big East stops them here. The same Pitt team that went 10-8 in the Big East. Ultimately, I think the play of Pitt PG Levance Fields - returning strong from a mid-season injury - puts the Panthers into the Sweet 16.

(3) Stanford over (6) Marquette

As my buddy Gavrie put it: “Stanford has two 7-footers that play the whole game!”

(2) Texas over (10) Saint Mary’s

Does anybody think Miami can beat Saint Mary’s? I haven’t seen it. Texas is too strong for the Gaels, though.

West

(1) UCLA over (8) BYU

The Bruins win the alphabet game. Read Simmons to see why.

(5) Drake over (4) Connecticut

Notre Dame : Drake :: Harangody : Emmenecker

(3) Xavier over (6) Purdue

Resurrecting the program from the ashes of the murder / cover-up scandal a few years back, Baylor is the feel-good story of the tournament. But the Boilermakers showed the toughness in the Big Ten to not fall into Baylor’s trap.

Problem is, Xavier’s just better than either of those teams.

(2) Duke over (7) West Virginia

Two other 7-seeds, Butler and Gonzaga, would beat Duke here. But not this one.

Sweet Sixteen

East

(1) North Carolina over (5) Notre Dame

Thanks for playing, Irish. The good teams will be taking over now.

(3) Louisville over (2) Tennessee

I’d be happy to be proven wrong, but again, Tennessee’s fade down the stretch has me down on them. This is more a pick against the Volunteers than for Louisville.

Midwest

(1) Kansas over (5) Clemson

It’s tempting, but keep in mind as good as Clemson is, they’re still a tick or two below the top of the ACC. Kansas is at the very top of the Big 12.

(3) Wisconsin over (10) Davidson

The Badgers void a tough game against Georgetown here. The Hoyas have the bodies to bang with Wisconsin. Instead, the Cheeseheads go to the Elite 8.

South

(1) Memphis over (4) Pittsburgh

Again, Memphis’ road is too easy. I would pick Memphis to lose in any other top-seed third round matchup in my bracket. But I don’t think Pitt is that good. They used up their pixie dust in the Big East tourney.

(2) Texas over (3) Stanford

Another tough one. Texas has speed and shooting. Stanford has two 7-footers. Comes down to Houston-court advantage for the Longhorns.

West

(1) UCLA over (5) Drake

Do you see where this is going?

(3) Xavier over (2) Duke

Hooray! Duke loses!

Elite Eight

(1) North Carolina over (3) Louisville

North Carolina is never seriously challenged on the road to the Final Four

(3) Wisconsin over (1) Kansas

I just think Wisconsin is tougher than Kansas.

(2) Texas over (1) Memphis

Maybe the best game of the tournament. Speed vs. speed. Again, Texas ride the Lone Star crowd to victory.

(1) UCLA over (3) Xavier

UCLA also never seriously challenged.

Final Four

North Carolina over Wisconsin

The Badgers run out of steam against a bigger, stronger, faster Tarheels team.

UCLA over Texas

Another great matchup. Kevin Love is the difference.

UCLA over North Carolina

The matchup we all want to see ends with the Bruins cutting down the nets. Neither team was serious challenged before the Final Four because they’re both better than basically everybody else.

Sure, lots of people can quote the Simpsons on cue: “Donuts…is there anything they can’t do!?”

But if you knew the NAME of the oversized Big Boy-esque donut shop sign that stopped Homer’s out-of-control monorail - Lard Lad - then you might have what it takes to be named King of All Donutland.

Well, actually not. This is all about college basketball. But the Lard Lad reference sounded good, right?

(For those of you who don’t know, I give a box of donuts to the winner of my NCAA Tourney pool every year. I just get a kick out of making the whole thing ridiculously self-important.)

The bottom line here is that you need to join the Donutland bracket pool. It’s a tong of fun and you don’t really need to know anything about basketball. Tracy’s strategy this year is based on a complicated weighting of the various universities US News Law School rankings.

Plus, extra bonus donuts are awarded for good sports.

Tournament games start next Thursday, so be sure to join by then. I’ll send a reminder when it’s closer to game time.

Last year, we had over 50 contenders. I’m shooting for 75 this year, so be sure to invite your friends and family.

todd

P.S. First bonus donut goes to the first correct answer to the following question. And yes, there is a right answer.

Q: “What’s the best kind of donut?”

P.P.S. - If the link above doesn’t work, follow these instructions.

1. Go here: http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/frontpage
2. Create an entry.
3. Join the group “Donutland” using the password “lardlad”
4. Set your picks before the games tip-off next week.

Tomorrow at 1:05 PM, the Defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers¹ will open Spring Training play against the New York Metropolitans. Many are expecting this to be a World Series preview.

Now, because we’re from Michigan and that’s what we do, this is a day that we think about Ernie Harwell and remember the famous way he opened every Tigers’ season:

For the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of the song of the birds has come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

— Song of Solomon

Play Ball!

1. Because the Red Sox won the series last year, they don’t really need an ALCS to celebrate, so I have decided not to recognize their AL Pennant victory. Therefore, the 2006 AL Champs are still your defending American League Champions.

I’m writing to ask you to support the enshrinement Alan Trammell - one of the 10 best shortstops of all time - into the Baseball Hall of Fame. I know ballots are due soon.

His career stats are terrific. Lifetime .285 BA. 1000 Career RBI. 185 Home Runs. These numbers might not look like much compared to the high-octane offenses of today’s game, but if you put his numbers in context, they are absolutely stellar. His OPS+ rating - a way to compare on base and slugging with league averages - was 110, or 10% better than the league as a whole.

Additionally, he won all the personal accolades you could want. 1984 World Series MVP. 6-time All Star. 3-time Silver Slugger. 3-time MVP top ten (and he should have won it in 1987). Remember, his defense was also steller, as he won 4 Gold Gloves in the early 80’s.

Finally, Trammell is responsible for two amazing moments in Tiger history. The first of course is the 1984 World Series championship. The second is a less well know walk-off homerun in late August 1987. This one is important because 8-year-old Todd was there to witness one of the first thrilling moments of his sports fan life.

So please consider voting for Alan Trammell for HOF. He’s surely deserving.

Regards,
Todd

To paraphrase Aragorn:

Hold your ground! Hold your ground!

Sons of Detroit! Of Flinttown! My brothers!

I see in your eyes the same fear of the Evil Empire that would take the heart of me.

A day may come when the courage of the Defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers fails, when we forsake Magglio and Placido and break all bonds of fandom, but it is not this day.

An hour of woes and shattered bats, when the age of Leyland comes crashing down! But it is not this day!

This day we fight!

By all that you hold dear on this pleasant peninsula, I bid you stand, Men of Greater Michigania!

The Tigers lost a heartbreaker tonight. They 5-2 going into the 8th behind Kenny Rogers’ strong starting pitching. Four innings and two big homeruns later, they lost 6-5.

But I’m not losing faith. The new team motto is “No excuses. Just effort.” If we keep winning, we make the playoffs. Hard, but possible. And I’ll always root for possible.

‘Nuff Said.

After a four hour rain delay and four and a half hours of baseball, Carlos Guillen drove run deep into the wee hours of rain-soaked Detroit, setting off a frenzy among the thousands of fans who stuck it through and at least one bleary-eyed apartment in Boston.

This win is huge. For weeks, the Tigers haven’t been able buy a big win. It seemed like all the magic pixie dust that was sprinkled so liberally last year was sealed up tight in a jar.

But last night - this morning - we caught just a little bit of a break. I’m not saying this win will necessarily be the start of something huge, but it’s so nice to see my Tigers catch a frickin’ break.

The Tigers are 1.5 GB in the AL Central and 5 GB in the Wild Card. The march to October began at 3:30 AM this morning.

The Defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers beat the Yankees tonight 8-5 behind Carlos Guillen’s first inning grand slam and a good, if not great, pitching performance by Justin Verlander, who’s my Tiger.

The victory puts the Defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers back into sole possession of first place in the AL Central and knocks Jason Giambi’s team out of the wild card lead.

It also brings the Defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers’ record to an even .500 over the last 10 games. Ordinarily, that wouldn’t be anything to celebrate, but the Defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers have been down for the last month or so.

They are now a quarter of the way through what’s probably the toughest, most important 12-game stretch of the season (6 vs. CLE, 6 vs. NYY). Sure, it’s only 3 games, but they’ve been able to pull out two victories and get a strong pitching performance in the loss. Optimistic signs, all.

My dad thinks they only need to go 7-5 during this stretch and he’s probably right. I’d very much like to see 8-4.

Go Defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers.

The comeback falls just short. Curses.

Late, 3rd Period: Datsuyk scores on the power play. For the past 5 minutes, I’ve been saying “Just get it to 1. Just get it to 1.”

It’s at 1. Anything can happen. Especially when the Ducks take ANOTHER penalty.

Let’s Go Wings!!!

9:52, 3rd Period: Bad news is that the Ducks score one too. Still, 2 goal deficit. 10 minutes to go.

Let’s Go Wings! It’s not over yet!

16:45, 3rd Period: Zetterberg scores the first one. Need two more in the next 15 minutes. 3-1, Ducks.

Let’s go Wings!!!

Five years ago, in the Western Conference Finals, the Wings suffered a brutal 2-1 loss to a bruising and physical rival. In Game 5. At home. In overtime.

Then, they flew halfway across the country for a do-or-die Game 6.

The result was historic. The result was Dead Roy Day. Dominik Hasek didn’t give up another goal.

We’ll need all that and more tonight in another do-or-die Game 6 against a bruising and physical rival. It follows another tough 2-1 overtime loss at home in a pivotal Game 5.

Hasek, Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Draper, Chelios, and Maltby have all been here before. Even Pavel Datsuyk was the rookie hotshot on that 2002 Cup-winning team.

We’ll need every second of experience and every ounce of heart to overcome these odds.

10 down. 6 to go. But the next two are bigger than the rest.

On your feet, Wings fans. Your team needs you.

I’m having a heart attack.

Ducks score in the final minute to force overtime. Sometimes 60 minutes isn’t enough. So we will continue to bring it. Let’s go Wings!