The 132^ND running of the Kentucky Derby for the world’s best three year olds takes place this Saturday at beautiful Churchill Downs.  This year more than ever, pits West coast versus East, as leading money winner and favorite, Brother Derek ships in from Southern California to take on the likes of undefeated East coaster Barbaro.  Along with Derek, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert saddles three live west Coast shippers.  Baffert’s Sinister Minister, blessed with great early speed looks to set the early fractions and will attempt to go wire to wire on the field.  Point Determined, son of champion Point Given, also gives Baffert a horse who most likely will be trying to use his determination and grit to get to the finish line first.  Look for Lawyer Ron to attempt to seek justice as he seeks his eighth win in a row.  He’ll certainly present a strong case.

Leading New York trainer Todd Pletcher also saddles three derby entries, led by Kentucky homeboy, Bluegrass Cat.  However, Pletcher’s best shot for opening up the door to a victory comes from speed burner Keyed Entry.

As the gate opens and the race begins look for Sinister Minister, Sharp Humor and Keyed Entry to battle for the early lead.  Brother Derek, Barbaro, Greatnorthernsaint among others, will settle in the middle of the pack, with late runners A.P. Warrior, Steppenwolfer and Bluegrass Cat set to position themselves for a late run.

As they charge around the track, Sinister Minister will put away the early pretenders, open up as they turn for home, then watch Greatnorthensaint and Brother Derek attempt to make a final run.  At the wire, Sinister Minister finally fends off the challengers and wins the 132rd running of the May Classic, giving the Californians a trifecta finish!

Writer Picks:  Sinister Minister, Brother Derek, Greatnorthernsaint

Longshot Special:  A.P. Warrior

Editor’s note:  This year’s derby will be missing three of the great jockeys of all time, as Hall of Famer’s Jerry Bailey, Pat Day and Gary Stevens all hung up their silks for good this past year.  We wish all three the very best!

    Playoff fever is in the air!  Bring on the octopus at The Joe. The Detroit Red Wings, for the 21st consecutive season, are in the Stanley Cup playoffs and ready for perhaps their biggest challenge in the past several years. Detroit’s opening round opponent is the No. 4 seed Nashville Predators of the Central Division. And for the first time in three seasons the Wings have no home-ice advantage in the first round.
   The Wings are anxious to prove this season’s fifth-best finish in the tough NHL Western Conference was just that – a ranking that means little when it comes to the post-season party. Finishing third in the Central (two points back of the Preds) is something Wings fans are unaccustomed to. The Central champs were the St. Louis Blues and second place was Nashville.
   Detroit again topped 100 points in the season, hockey’s longest century-mark streak going, as they limped home with the No. 5 seed. Over the last 19 seasons the Wings have only once (2010 to Phoenix) had to open the playoffs on the road. The Wings defeated the Coyotes in a seven-game thriller that post-season.
   Detroit’s 21 straight playoff appearances is the best of any franchise in the major sports — hockey, baseball, football and basketball — and another reason why Detroit wears its Hockeytown label proudly.
   General Manager Ken Holland visited with the media recently at the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association and scoffed at a reporter’s question about playing the underdog role in the opening round against Nashville.
   "Are there really any underdogs," asked Holland, "considering how everybody’s so closely bunched together in the playoffs?"
   He’s right – both in the West and the East – there are so many good series and solid teams from the No. 1 through the No. 8 positions. Any lower seed could defeat an upper seed in the playoffs, a best-of-seven series.
    The Wings were 3-3 against the Preds in the season series but Nashville’s size could pose a problem for the smaller Wings. The Tennessee crew added some solid depth prior to the NHL trading deadline and one player afterwards.
    Last month it was Alexander Radulov and before that they added Andrei Kostitsyn, Paul Gaustad and Hal Gill.  Those moves make the Preds an even more dangerous foe. Kostitsyn came over from Montreal and is a 6-0, 200-pound force with 12 points in his last 19 games. Gaustad is 6-5 and Gill is 6-7. Radulov is over from the Kontinental League in Russia.
    Also starring for Nashville are 5-5 goaltender Pekka Rinne and defensemen Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. Coach Barry Trotz has been behind their bench since day one of the franchise and is a terrific mentor.
    The Wings can counter with a strong goaltender of their own in Jimmy Howard and a solid defense in front of him. All-everything Nick Lidstrom, the team captain, is healthy again and anchors the blue line corps. Niklas Kronwall (15 goals) is an excellent two-way defender. Brad Stuart, Jonathan Ericsson, Ian White, Kyle Quincey and Jakub Kindl also are in Coach Mike Babcock’s rotation.
    Up front – the Wings are led by several 20-goal scorers. Pavel Datsyuk only had 19 goals yet topped the club with 48 assists. Henrik Zetterberg (22 goals), Valtteri Fippula (23), Johan Franzen (28) and Jiri Hudler (25) can put the puck in the net for Detroit consistently.  Todd Bertuzzi, Danny Cleary, Tomas Holmstrom, Drew Miller and Darren Helm also contributed offensively.
   Getting Helm back for the playoffs is key. Helm missed 14 games this season and was sorely missed the last month-plus when the Wings struggled to pick up enough wins to get a home-ice advantage for the playoffs.  Cleary missed the final two regular-season games and is also counted on to come back in Game 1.  Helm is targeted for a Game 2 return.
   Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 will be played at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with Games 3, 4 and 6 at Joe Louis Arena downtown. Expect the fans to be loud and full of energy in both home rinks.
   Holland said the club faces its naysayers.
   "Most of the experts think we’re going to lose this series" he said. "But that’s why we play the games. Let’s just wait and see how this plays itself out."
   For his part, Lidstrom says the team’s road woes should not stop Detroit from playing good hockey away from home.
   "I think there were stretches during the year where we played well. Some of the games we didn’t win, but we played better, we played well of the road. Now, when you’re hitting the second season, the playoffs, you got to take it up a notch.
   "They’re a well-coached team that plays real well. They’re hard to get scoring chances on. Having said that, we know we have to play well defensively."
    The Wings face the NHL’s top power play (21.6%) in Nashville. Detroit’s penalty kill was just 18th overall and will be tested yet it was 31-for-31 in the last seven games. More of the same is needed to stop the Preds.
   "We need it to be great," said Babcock.
   Conversely, the Wings power play must be stronger. It’s common to see a stat sheet with an 0-for-4 or 1-for-6 power play by Detroit. Those numbers must improve for the Wings to win this series. Look for a tough, grind-it-out slugfest between two very good teams.
 Eichorn prediction: Wings in 7 games. Reach him at geichorn@yahoo.com. Buy Eichorn’s book, "Detroit Sports Broadcasters On The Air" for $19.99 or less at www.amazon.com.

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

 Port Saint Lucie, Fla. – When I lived in South Florida from 1981-1984, the only chance I had to see the Detroit Tigers in Spring Training was in Lakeland.

The Tigers never came to Pompano Beach to play the Texas Rangers, Fort Lauderdale to face the New York Yankees or Miami to meet the Baltimore Orioles.

But that was then because Baseball’s Spring Training Landscape has drastically changed!

The Cactus League, based in Arizona, took a page from the Movie "Field Of Dreams." If you build it, they will come.

Five former Grapefruit League Teams made the trek west out to Arizona.

For years, the Kansas City Royals played in Fort Myers, Florida and then moved to the Baseball City Complex Haines City.

The Texas Rangers were in Pompano Beach then moved to Port Charlotte.

For decades, the Cincinnati Reds played at Tampa’s Al Lopez Field and eventually moved to nearby Plant City and Sarasota.

The Cleveland Indians were supposed to move to Homestead but Hurricane Andrew sent them to Winter Haven.

Dodgertown in Vero Beach was the home to the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers until just a couple years ago.

Now the Royals and Rangers share a stadium in Surprise, AZ. The Reds and Indians share a complex in Goodyear, AZ. The Dodgers moved to Glendale and are neighbors with the Chicago White Sox.

It’s hard to believe that the  Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals are the only Midwest Teams in Florida.

I’m amazed that the New York Yankees ever left Fort Lauderdale since their fan base is off I-95.

But considering their late Owner George M. Steinbrenner lived in Tampa, I understand why the Yankees relocated. The New York Mets once trained in St. Petersburg but they moved to the East Coast of Florida to be near the transplants and fill the void left behind by the Yankees.

As I glanced at the Spring Training schedule two weeks ago,  I was surprised to see the Tigers and Mets playing Sunday, April 1, 2012 in Port Saint Lucie. However, they could have played at two other I-95 locations.

The Washington Nationals are in Viera, while the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins are in Jupiter, Florida.

It’s impossible for me to get to away games during the week with my crazy schedule. But this worked out fantastic because I couldn’t ask for a better Sunday drive then to see my close cousins Cindy and her husband Peter Spyke in Fort Pierce just 15 minutes north of Port Saint Lucie at 8:30 am, then going to cover the Tigers Vs Mets.

When we made plans, I told Cindy, "How often do I get to cover the Detroit Tigers in your backyard?"

She added, "There was no way I’d miss this opportunity to get together with you."

With gas prices hovering around $4 per-gallon, Port Saint Lucie was a bargain compared to Lakeland. It was a 90 minute drive compared to four hours, plus I was able to spend time with two of the closest members of my family.

All of this was made possible because five teams moved to Arizona and the Tigers had to find new opponents because of the Grapefruit League’s decrease therefore, Detroit had to travel Southeast.

But because of circumstances, the Tigers were able to connect with their Gold Coast Fan Base.

This was a win-win situation and from 1981-84, it wasn”t even a thought, just a pipe-dream.

Indeed, the Spring Training Landscape and Times have changed.

During the Tigers and Mets contest, Prince Fielder belted a long homer to right-field as the Mets fans cheered in the fourth inning. Fielder hitting home runs is something Tigers fans should see a lot. This homer run cleared a canopy.

The Mets fans were either happy it was in Spring Training or relieved that he’s now in the American League and won’t be a headache for them anymore in the regular season.

The attendance of 5,836 saw Detroit come away with a 9-2 win.

All in all this was a great way to spend April Fools Day. But this was no April Fools joke; just the Modern Day version of Spring Training, 2012 style.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at scottsports33@aol.com.

On February 25, 2012, former Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Joel Zumaya experienced pain in his elbow after throwing 13 pitches in live batting practice for the Minnesota Twins.

He tore the Ulnar Collateral Ligament in his elbow likely requiring Tommy John Surgery, therefore, ending his 2012 season before it started.

On January 15, 2012, he agreed to a one-year contract worth $800,000–1.7 Million based on possible incentives. Now he is guaranteed to earn $400,000.

After hearing this news, it’s sad because he’ll always be known for his 100 plus miles-per-hour fast balls. He was a major part of the Tigers run to reach the 2006 World Series appearing in 62 games, 83.1 innings, 97 strikeouts, a 6-3 record with a 1.94 ERA.

In five years, Zumaya has a 13-12 record with a 3.05 ERA in 209.2 innings with 210 strikeouts in 171 games.

I really hope we haven’t seen the last of the 27-year old. Careers have been revitalized because of Tommy John Surgery.

Although former Tigers pitcher Frank Tanana never had Tommy John Surgery, he was a left-handed flame-thrower, who re-invented himself by becoming a crafty finesse pitcher that had a 21-year career record of 240-236.

Thirty-years before Zumaya was thrilling fans with his power, Mark "The Bird" Fidrych captured the national spotlight by packing Tiger Stadium in 1976. The Baseball World gravitated to watching him talk to the ball, in addition to his numerous mound antics.

Fidrych was selected to the American League All-Star Team and started the game. He finished the season with a 19-9 record with a 2.34 ERA with 24 complete games in 250.1 innings. He won the American League Rookie of the Year.

He was a two-time All-Star and finished his five-year career with a 29-19 record, 3.10 ERA and 170 strikeouts all with the Tigers.

Fidrych’s injury problems began in 1977 when he tore the cartilage in his knee fooling around in the outfield during spring training. He would later hurt his arm against the Baltimore Orioles, that would ultimately be diagnosed as a torn rotator cuff.

If there is a tale of two pitchers that were so different but so similar, then this is it. One was a 100 mph fire-baller while the other was an inning eater.

Nowadays, pitchers would be lucky to complete 24-games in a career, yet these days, it’s common to see 100 mph hurlers.

In either case, these two had "Dead Arms" which shortened their careers. Each started and ended their five-year careers sporting the "Old English D" in the Motor City.

Fidrych died April 13, 2009 at the age of 54 which is 27 or half of Zumaya’s age. Fidrych was killed working on his truck outside his home in Northborough, Massachusetts. It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly three years since Fidrych passed away.

Zumaya can only hope his career does resume. Hopefully, he won’t die at a young age.

It’s so sad to see a pair of young hurlers with so much potential fail to reach and sustain superstar status. Yet, they both experienced the big stage with Zumaya in the 2006 World Series and Fidrych in the 1976 All-Star Game.

What a difference 30-years makes and hopefully there is a continuation of the Zumaya Story.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at scottsports33@aol.com and his blog can be seen at www.scottsports33.com.

Mr. Davidson is a 35 year member of the DSBA.  He has covered the Detroit area sports scene for over forty years as a radio announcer and stringer.  His reports have been used by AP, UPI, CBS, WJR, WLLZ Associated Newspapers and Sports Net.  He was a part of the Red Wings Game Night Staff for 26 seasons and served as the press box announcer. The views expressed in this blog are Mr. Davidson’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the DSBA.

Late one evening I get a call and the person on the other end is telling me that we are going to put on a major event in Detroit.  It only took me a couple of seconds to realize that the caller was Emanuel Steward and he was telling, not asking, but telling me that I was to be a part of that event.  On Saturday March 10 we pulled off that event at the Suburban Collection Show Place in Novi.  Close to 2,000 fans attended to watch one of the best boxing cards in recent years.

My job was to be a part of the event planning and do the media relations.  Dennis Turner had the most difficult job as Match Maker, finding the boxers, which is harder than you can imagine.  Others on the team were Uber-referee Frank Garza who has the knowledge of State Regulations and the fight game in general, and Anita Ruiz, who used her many contacts in the entertainment business to bring up the lights and sound to put on a very glitzy show.

The problem was the main event.  We have this middleweight sensation from Ireland, who now lives in Detroit with Emanuel.  His name is Andy Lee and his record was 27-1 with 19 KO’s, plus the fact he avenged his one loss.  Dennis had two opponents drop out for various reasons before getting a last minute opponent from Mexico a 39 year-old veteran with over 50 fights under his belt some of which were championship bouts, his name, Saul Duran.  Unfortunately Duran didn’t have enough time to get himself in real good shape and went down in the second.   

Because of the Irish connection, Corktown’s Gaelic League pitched in and sold tickets, hosted the press conference and weigh-in.  People like League President Theresa Anaya, Irish Radio host Kathleen O’Neil and John Carey who put up posters in every Irish bar in the area, deserve a lot of thanks.   

Getting back to boxing, Emanuel feels he has a good stable of future champions.  Besides Lee, watch for Tony Harrison who fought just nine days prior, stretched his record to 6-0 all by knockouts.  Other up comers are Jacob Bonas, who won his pro debut and Monroe’s Wade Tolle who is now 5-0.

DENNIS VS. SPORTS TALK RADIO

I’ve been doing a good job of weaning myself off listening to sports talk station but every now and again I get the need to hear something stupid so I turn on the radio.

My I. Q. (irritation Quotient) goes back to the fall of 1997.  The Wings had won the Cup the previous year with Mike Vernon in goal, and now with Chris Osgood as the heir apparent I heard the following on the only talk radio station at the time, WDFN.  A caller said, “Mark my words, the Wings will never win another Cup with Osgood in goal”.  His name went on three more Cups, two with him as the starting goalie.

In 2010 a brilliant talk show host proudly displayed his baseball intelligence by declaring Tiger catcher Gerald Laird an “automatic out”, he not only said it once but also a couple more times.  Excuse me, but doesn’t “automatic out”, mean that Laird was hitting .000 as a part time player not the .201 he did hit, not to mention that among his 56 hits were 22 doubles and 5 homers while sacrificing himself 8 times.  Nobody argues his behind the plate abilities.

Somehow I think that most of the calls are put on.  Like maybe a bunch of guys are sitting in a bar and one guy says “I’ve got the radio station speed dial, watch this.  Hi this is Dave from Livonia, I’m 22 years-old and have been watching baseball all my life and I think that Verlander is over rated.”

Talk Show Host (TSH)-“wanna see a lack of range?  Watch Peralta, everything up the middle is going through.”

TSH-“instead calling him Magglio we should call him Singlio.”  I guess it’s a real burden to have someone at the end of his career hitting over .300 getting a lot of singles.

Caller-“Stafford is out of shape, look how round his face is, he’s gotta be out of shape.”

At the beginning of the football season we heard:

Caller-“Stafford’s too fragile he won’t last the season.”

By the middle of the season:

Caller-“Without Calvin Johnson, Stafford wouldn’t even be in the top ten quarterbacks.” 

By the end of Stafford’s first full season of play in which he threw for over 5,000 yards:

Caller-“Well he might be in the top five but you can’t consider him elite.”

I will say this, Calvin Johnson may end up being one of the greatest receivers ever, thank goodness his quarterbacks are no longer named Kitna or Culpepper.

 Caller-“Jimmy Howard will not have the year he did last year.”

I keep reading that Jim Leland is one of the smartest managers in MLB, except for in Detroit of course.  What’s with the daily criticisms on his line up cards.  It got so bad that he had to call one of the “brilliant” talk show guys into his office.  And then after the game he would say, when asked, “I’m not talking about my line-ups period!”  His team finished 15 games ahead, maybe as one caller said it should have been 20 if it weren’t for the manager.  Oh yeah the Central is a weak division so therefore…

I know it’s only spring training and I know it was only the O’s and I know there might have some minor leaguers but Yikes!!! 8 k’s in 3 2/3 innings for Verlander?  That’s sick!!!  That’s looking at 18-20 k’s for nine.

Back to boxing, in the two weeks leading up to Saturday’s card, we had Emanuel and/or Andy on Irish Radio twice and with Tom Leyden on 7 Sunday night.  A nice mention by Rob Parker and Katrina Hancock Sunday night, on Fox 2 Thursday morning, Mitch Albom Thursday night and Frank Beckmann Friday morning on WJR.  There was not one request for an interview on the sports talk stations.

We had two great features by Mike Brudenell of the Freep plus two other mentions and then the results in the Sunday edition.  Marvin Goodwin gave us a good write up in the Oakland Press.  Not a mention in Det.news. 

Syd the Kid is back but for how long?  If he keeps playing his style of hacking and whacking, his head is going to continue to get in the way of opposing players. He should take a page out of Pavel Datsuk’s playbook on how to play good defensive hockey and still get respect out of the rest of the league.  Remember Eric Lindros who once gave Konstantinov and others head shots?  He concussed himself into early retirement.

One last thought.  Why do they have coaches in the NBA?  Another coach has quit because he “lost the players.”  They can draw up their own plays in the huddle instead of walking around looking into the stands while the coach kneels and talks to no one.  They can call their own time outs and plan their own strategies, who needs a coach?

NBA players are the most egocentric players of all times.  One of my favorite players was Rip Hamilton until last year when the Pistons pulled the BS they did, and when the head of security told Rip the coach wanted to see him?  He sent a security guard?  How disrespectful.  How about at your work if a “lowly” secretary or someone says the boss wants to see you?  Would you go?  I think so!!!