A Few Summertime Favorites
By George B. Eichorn
Of The Monitor
SUMMERTIME THINGS:
Catching a night-time Tigers game from the upper deck behind home plate with family and friends.
Hearing about the new National Hockey League schedule and delighting in a Red Wings game at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Day 2009 against the Chicago Black Hawks.
Seeing ageless Greg Norman battle up-and-coming star Padraig Harrington at Royal Birkdale at last week’s British Open. The new husband of Christ Evert, Norman faded badly in the final round to the hard-charging Irishman Harrington who made it two straight Open wins.
Watching my brother fishing off the dock at my two sisters cottage on Elbow Lake. And seeing my neighbor take his boat out to Lake St. Clair every weekend to catch bass, perch and walleyes.
Getting word from the Lions about training camp in Allen Park and the news that they will allow fans a few opportunities to see the team work out. And hearing John Kitna predict 10 wins for team.
Witnessing the farce that has become the Brett Favre retirement and want-to-be no retirement from the Green Bay Packers.
Looking at the American League standings and realizing that at 6 ½ games behind, the Tigers are still in the race despite their awful start. But can they only put together another long winning streak?
Hearing from the Palace in Auburn Hills that Joe Dumars is still serious about making some roster moves for the team that disappointed far too many fans the last few seasons.
Seeing those cool Michigan tourism commercials on television and marveling at all this state has to offer, from Detroit to Upper Peninsula.
Hearing the news from East Lansing and knowing Mark Dantonio is doing all he can to make coaching the Michigan State Spartans an enjoyable and winning experience.
Seeing Justin Verlander return to the form that we knew in 2006 and 2007, in defeating the Baltimore Orioles last Sunday, 5-1.
Attending a Detroit Shock home game in Auburn Hills and witnessing the exciting atmosphere that the team and its fans generate.
Receiving updated news on the PGA Championship to be contested on the majestic Green Monster of Oakland Hills Country Club in the first week of August.
Walking around the neighborhood and seeing the smiling faces and beautiful manicured lawns and summer flowers.
Hearing about the new thoroughbred race track in New Boston and realizing I must make a trip out there to see the place in action.
Seeing pictures from Michigan Stadium and knowing that all the construction will someday make the place a far better attraction and magnet for fans and alumni.
Visiting the new mobile unit of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and realizing that this indeed could be the start of something big for the 54-year-old organization.
Watching high school kids gearing up for the football season at gridirons here and around the state. Just drink enough fluids, guys.
Knowing that owner Roger Penske is alive and well in the Indy Racing League with his 1-2 podium finbish at last Sunday’s Mid-Ohio IRL race. The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is only five weeks away.
Smiling at the news the NHL schedule has a more balanced slate of games including Original Six matchups like the Red Wings-Canadiens, Red Wings-Maple Leafs and Red Wings-Rangers.
Receiving word that U-M football standout and Michigan Sports Hall of Fame member Dan Dierdorf is getting the Pete Rozelle Award for Radio-Television at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 2. Also, hearing that Ken Kal was getting the Ty Tyson Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting from the Detroit Sports Broadcasters group.
Watching the marvelous pre-game ceremonies from Yankee Stadium involving Tiger great Al Kaline and so many other greats. Major League Baseball and the Yankees pulled off an impressive program without detracting from the All-Star game itself.
Following the results from the Bayview Port Huron to Mackinac race and the Chicago to Mackinac race — and wishing I was on that famous island watching the boats sail in with chocolate pecan fudge to feast on!
Seeing people come out to Metro Parks such as Stoney Creek and Metropolitan Beach to see and hear the soothing sounds of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in free, open-air performances.
Volunteering at the annual Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association Grant Fund golf outing at Cherry Creek in Shelby Township. And the satisfaction knowing that the monies will go to helping young and aspiring sports broadcasters in southeastern Michigan and elsewhere.
Witnessing the destruction of Tiger Stadium yet knowing that it served our community so very well for decades and decades. It is not a good thing seeing The Corner being destroyed yet it’s something that had to be done to make that area viable and attractive again.
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Buy George Eichorn’s book, “Detroit Sports Broadcasters On the Air,” for $19.99 or less at www.amazon.com.
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By George B. Eichorn
Detroit Monitor Columnist
One hundred years is a long time for any sports tradition. It’s time to welcome powerboat racing fans to the banks of the Detroit River for the 2008 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold CupGold Cup, July 11-13.
Many of the sport’s past and present drivers are legends in the unlimited hydroplane class of racing. J.M. Wainwright, Gar Wood, Guy Lombardo, Lee Schoenith, Bill Muncey, Bill Schumacher, Dean Chenoweth, Tom D’Eath, Chip Hanuer and Dave Villwock are all past winners of the prestigious Gold Cup. Hanuer, in fact, has his named engraved the most times — 11 — on the famed powerboat trophy.
The first Gold Cup winner was in 1904 when Standard, driven and owned by C.C. Riote of the Columbia Yacht Club, won with a standard (three heat) average speed of 23.6 miles per hours. The 2007 champion, U-16 Miss Elam Plus, driven by Villwock and owned by Sven Ellstrom won with a 147.672 mph speed. How times have changed!
The APBA Challenge Cup, known commonly as the APBA Gold Cup, is among the most noteworthy of motorsports trophies, in part because it is the oldest active trophy in all of motorsports. The trophy was first awarded in 1904. By comparison, the first Indianapolis 500 race was held in 1911 and their Borg-Warner trophy was first awarded in 1936.
“Hydroplane racing became a tradition in Detroit when designer Christopher Columbus Smith (of the Chris Craft boat company) built a Detroit-based boat that would crack the 60 miles-per-hour speed barrier, capturing the Gold Cup in 1915,” said historian Fred Farley.
“As the speeds grew so did the crowds, and hydroplane racing became a major Detroit event. Through the decades Detroit builders, drivers, fans and sponsors have proven themselves to be among the best.”
The 2008 three-day event covers a large area on the Detroit River, so there are many different viewing areas and various ticket options. Some fans come out for a casual picnic with a view from the water’s edge. Others plan their entire weekend around this summer tradition, complete with music, outdoor cookouts and a party atmosphere.
More than fifty members of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association members and their guests attended a special DSBA 2008 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup Preview media luncheon on June 26 at Sindbad’s On the River in Detroit. DSBA president Rich Kincaide presided and guest speakers on hand to discuss the 100th anniversary Gold Cup race represented sponsors — the Chrysler Jeep Superstores — and race organizers, the Detroit River Regatta Association. That gathering featured a lively question and answer session.
According to Farley, the premier unlimited hydroplane race originated in 1904. In 1957, Seattle hosted the 50th running of that prestigious trophy. Promoters of the 50th annual race billed it as “The Golden Gold Cup.” Between 1957 and 2008, the Gold Cup has been contested every year except one, 1960. That was the time when high winds forced cancellation of the race on Lake Mead, Nevada.
Unlimiteds expected to run the “Eastern Swing” including the 2008 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup in Detroit (sponsor names are subject to change):
- U-3 Miss Chrysler Jeep (Driver Jimmy King, owner Ed Cooper)
- U-5 Formulaboats.com (Driver Jeff Bernard, owner Ted Porter family)
- U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto (Driver Steve David, owner City of Madison, Indiana)
- U-7 Formulaboats.com (Driver Mike Allen, owner Ted Porter family)
- U-10 Miss Ahern Rentals (Driver David Bryant, owners Kim and Debbie Gregory)
- U-13 Miss Detroit Yacht Club/Spirit of Detroit (Driver J. Michael Kelly and owner Dave Bartush)
- U-25 Jarvis Fire and Water Repair (Driver and owner Dr. Ken Muscatel)
- U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (Driver Jean Theoret, owners Billy and Jane Schumacher)
- U-50 Michigan Mortgage Presents Spirit of the Navy (Driver David Williams/Brian Perkins, owner Greg O’Farrell)
- U-100 Mirageboats.com (Driver Greg Hopp, owner Fred Leland)
At the 2008 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup, every boat in the race will utilize a “cabover” configuration. In addition to the world-class unlimiteds, you will see boats from the Offshore Pro Series, Superlight Tunnels and vintage race boats including Grand Prix’s and the wild-riding Jersey Speed Skiffs.
The Navy’s West Coast Super Hornet Demo Team will demonstrate maneuvers of one of the U.S. Armed Forces’ most impressive aircraft, the FA-18.
Other weekend 2008 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup race events include a food court and the Navy “Accelerate Your Life Experience Tour” that gives firsthand looks at Navy life. It has original Navy footage, video games and 180-degree Immersa-Domes, which provide real-life environmental elements, such as sight, sound and smell.
The Michigan Sports Hall Of Fame will have its mobile unit on hand with its excellent exhibits, plaques and historical photographs. You may test your skills in inflatable obstacle courses for different sports for a small fee.
The Family Fun Zone area in the Hydromart will include activities and games such as free “Make & Take Crafts,” face painting, balloon artists and D.A.R.E. ID kits for the kids. Hours are Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Make your plans now for the historic 100th running of the 2008 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup. For ticket information, call (586) 774-0980, visit www.gold-cup.com or email moreinfo@gold-cup.com.
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com.
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By George B. Eichorn of The Monitor
Forty years have passed since that wonderful and remarkable “Year of the Tigers” in 1968. No team in Detroit sports history did for this city what the World Champion Detroit Tigers did that magical season.
Al Kaline, Denny McLain, Mickey Lolich, Bill Freehan, Willie Horton, Mickey Stanley, Dick McAuliffe and many other players and coaches recently reunited for a special commemoration of that 1968 team, down at Comerica Park. Fans enjoyed seeing their heroes get introduced prior to the game, sign autographs in the stands and watch Lolich throw out the ceremonial First Pitch.
Meanwhile, authors Mark Pattison and David Raglin are busy spreading the word about their new book, “Sock It To ‘Em Tigers - The Incredible Story of the 1968 Detroit Tigers.” It’s a delightful journey of the players and personnel on that team. For $24.95 (from Maple Press) you will not be disappointed. We discussed the book with Pattison for this Monitor interview.
Q. Where did you and Dave come up with the idea for a book on the 1968 Tigers?
A. There’s a guy in Portland, Oregon, Mark Armour, who heads the BioProject for the Society for American Baseball Research; its mission is to write a biography of every player who’s ever appeared in a big-league game. When the number of new biographies started dwindling, someone suggested “team books” honoring a certain team in a certain season. A year ago in March, Armour suggested we do a book on the 1968 Tigers. Dave and I pondered it, sounded out some friends in the Mayo Smith Society — we’re both quite active in the Mayo Smith Society and SABR — agreed to it and by the end of April 2007 had every biography assigned. The ‘68 Tigers turned out to be hugely popular.
Q. How many of the players and personnel are still with us today?
A. Gates Brown spoke to the Mayo Smith Society over the Memorial Day weekend. A 1968 book contributor who makes his living writing about baseball called it one of the best talks he’d ever heard any retired ballplayer give. Going alphabetically, there’s Les Cain, Dave Campbell, Wayne Comer, Roy Face, Bill Freehan, Lenny Green, John Hiller, Willie Horton, Al Kaline, Fred Lasher, Mickey Lolich, Tom Matchick, Dick McAuliffe, Denny McLain, Jim Northrup, Daryl Patterson, Jim Price, Dennis Ribant, Jim Rooker, Mickey Stanley, Dick Tracewski, Jon Warden and Don Wert — two-thirds of the team — and coach Hal Naragon.
All four radio and TV broadcasters are still around: Ernie Harwell, Ray Lane, George Kell and Larry Osterman. Dave Raglin, who wrote Mayo Smith’s biography, used an intermediary to get questions from Smith’s widow two weeks before she died — details that otherwise might have been lost to history.
Q. You must be pleased they honored the 1968 team on June 24 at Comerica Park against the Cardinals?
A. If you’re going to honor the ‘68 team, there’s no better time than to do it against St. Louis. Maybe they should’ve done it during the 2006 World Series! The June 24 party would have been even better if they had let us have an book-autograph party inside the ballpark.
Q. How difficult was it to get all the players and personnel covered with an assortment of writers on each player, announcer, etc.?
A. The hardest thing was finding people who knew owner John Fetzer and were willing to talk about him. As a result, Fetzer’s bio isn’t included. There was also a dearth of detail on September call-up Bob Christian, who died in 1974 at age 29, but we used every scrap we could.
Q. What is your personal favorite memory(s) about the ‘68 team?
A. Just one memory? We got to watch the World Series on TV at St. David Grade School in Detroit. I was a safety patrol boy in ‘68, and I completed my duties and raced home in time to see Northrup’s triple over Curt Flood’s head in the seventh inning. My brother and sister and I convinced our parents to drive into downtown that night to join the victory celebration, but we turned back when Gratiot Avenue became gridlocked a good mile from downtown.
Q. Do you believe like many do that this team came at the exact right place and time, to help heal a very divided Detroit city?
A. Being only 12 years old at the time, I was happy enough that the Tigers won. I can appreciate now the ‘68 Tigers in the context of the time, and it’s too bad their triumph was only a temporary fix for the city’s woes.
Q. Will we ever see a 30-game winner like McLain on that ‘68 team? Or even two great pitchers like McLain and Lolich?
A. You won’t see another 30-game winner in the majors unless starters are willing to work on three — or two — days’ rest. I admired Detroit’s one-two punch of Jack Morris and Dan Petry in the 1980s, but that’s for a book celebrating the 1984 Tigers. Which, by the way, we’re doing in time for that club’s 25th anniversary next year!
Q. Lastly, are you surprised very few (Kaline and Matthews) of the ‘68 team made it to Cooperstown and Baseball Hall of Fame?
A. Freehan deserves to be in. He was the American League’s dominant catcher for a decade, but was eclipsed by Johnny Bench in the NL. Lolich comes very close to Hall-worthiness. Horton and Cash are a step or two behind Lolich.
(ITALICS-) Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com.
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