75th anniversary
By Leland Stein III Detroit! What images el-
evated themselves to your thoughts when you hear the word Detroit?
For the negatives among us
they most surely would inter- ject the all too real massive fiscal problems permeating our area, the death of Ford, Chrysler and General Motors and America’s never-ending racial divide that seems to widen rather than close.
Conversely, the positives
among us can point to the rebirth of the Big Three, the natural wonderland that is the Michigan landscape and our sports history.
COMMENTARY No matter the ups and
downs of the natural progres- sion of life, one constant has always been the special mem- ories left on us by the men and women on the fields and courts of play.
The Detroit Tigers, Lions,
Pistons, Red Wings, University Michigan Wolverines, Michi- gan State Spartans and the myriad of other universities in Michigan have always been there to help galvanize our populace and act as a buffer to the all too real American eco- nomic woes that from time to time overwhelm us.
For some sports is trivial,
but I surmise that sports his- tory is social history, and poli- tics and sports have inadver- tently been married, always have been connected.
The fact of the matter is
many can and will continue to focus on the Eight Mile divide, the urbanization of Detroit, conservatives versus liberals and any other us against them offerings.
However, athletics have of-
fered a convincing case of the essential bond between sports and social history of the city and its populace. When our teams gallantly defeat their opponents, it induces a col- lective celebration that moves many past race, gender and social status. A win by our faithful is a cause for celebra- tion and at the moment of sure
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
75 years of great Detroit sports moments
Wings, who ended a 42-year wait, winning the Stanley Cup title, setting in motion the start of Hockeytown. Led by Steve Yzerman, Nick Lidstorm and Brendan Shanahan and coach Scotty Bowman the Wings re- ceived a parade for the ages down Woodward Avenue.
Other memorable moments: Pistons Bad Boys
victory most embrace and hug or high five everyone in sight.
No better case for this can
be found in sports than Joe Louis’ legendary smashing of German Max Schmeling in 1938. I offer this moment up as the greatest sports event in Detroit history.
Not only did Louis defeat
Schmeling in the sports ring, his victory came at a time during the escalation of World War II. Politics and sports were forever ingrained when Schmeling knocked out Louis in 1936 a the height if Adolf Hitler’s power. Schmeling was held up by Hitler as an exam- ple of “Aryan supremacy” and was used as a tool for propa- ganda. In their rematch before more than 70,000 at Yankee Stadium, Detroit’s Louis sent Schmeling to the mat in just two minutes and four sec- onds.
Louis’ victory set off a cel-
ebration in Detroit and around the country that was unprece- dented. Never had a Black man been embraced by his White brethren before. Louis became the first crossover famous ath- lete and America.
Sugar Ray Robinson fol-
lowed Louis as a former De- troiter to become a world champion of note. Then along comes Tommy Hearns and trainer Emanuel Steward, and collectively they put Detroit Kronk Boxing on the interna- tional stage. Hearns produced some of the greatest moments in Detroit sports history in losses and victories. When he beat Duran and in the celebrat- ed losses to Sugar ray Leonard and Marvin haggler he etched himself into boxing lore.
Next up I’d like to think
that the 1979 Michigan State University Men’s basketball team created a memorable
moment that still resonates in Detroit and throughout the state. Future NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, Greg Kelser, Jay Vincent and a host of others overwhelmed Indian State’s future NAB Hall of Famer Larry Bird to win the Spartans first NCAA national title.
The 1968 Detroit Tigers
galvanized a city torn by racial strife. Following the 1967 riots fueled by the death of Martin Luther King Jr. and the op- pressive segregation policies of the times, Willie Horton, Al Kaline, Denny McLain and Mickey Lolich reunited Detroit with its spectacular seven- game victory over the St Louis Cardinals and Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson.
I remember in 1966 as a
young football aspirant, sitting in front of the television with my dad in excited anticipation waiting for the first big “Game of the Century” as the unde- feated Michigan State Spar- tans faced Notre Dame. Who can forget MSU’s Duffy Dough- erty versus the Fighting Irish’s Ara Parseghian, battling to a controversial 10-10 tie. The Spartans boasted NCAA Hall of Fame players Bubba Smith, George Webster, Gene Wash- ington and Clint Jones.
The Detroit Pistons sweep
of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s Los Angeles Lakers was Detroit’s first bas- ketball championship. The 1989 title run, led by coach Chuck Daly, Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars and Bill Laim- beer, set the entire metro area on fire. The Bad Boys rocked the NBA and the Motor City winning back-to-back titles and making three consecutive NBA Finals appearances.
Also setting Motown ablaze were the 1997 Detroit Red
can provide you with an elegant and affordable experience for parties up to 350 seated. Our world-class food is not what a typical "banquet hall" serves. We cook our food to order just as if you were in a restaurant. The accommodations at are second to none in the Detroit metropolitan area. From fine china imported from Italy, to real silver
flatware, to elegant chandeliers, to unique lighting, etc. The elegance you find at makes our competitive pricing seem even that much more reasonable.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW MORE AFFORDABLE PRICING WITH WEDDING PACKAGES STARTING AT $28/PERSONMention this ad for 10% off
To schedule an appointment, call 866-501-DOCS(3627)
The doctors are in – and listening!
Ron Artest’s 2004 fan brawl; Hank Greenberg 1938 chase of Babe Ruth’s single-season record of 60 home runs, fin- ishing with 58; pitcher Denny McLain’s 1968 31-6 MVP and Cy Young season; Barry Sand- ers co-MVP season rushing for over 2,00 yards; Glen Rice’s 1989 UM NCAA Basketball title run; Magglio Ordonez’s walk off home run in the 2006 ALCS versus the Yankees; and Charles Woodson being the only primary defensive player to win the Heisman (1997) and leading UM to the national title.
The big sports moments in
Detroit have weaved together our region in a way that has transcended its perceived racial isolation, the economy and politics for over 75 years and still counting.
Leland Stein can be reached at
lelstein3@aol.com.
Where were you in 1972?
On Sept. 3, 1972 we were getting married. The picture was taken by your photographer and placed in the Michigan Chron- icle. – Vera Howell
November 10-16, 2010
Page C-7
When you visit your doctor, you have certain expectations. First and foremost, you expect the doctor to listen to you and give you his – or her – undivided attention. At St. John Providence Health System, we have high expectations, too. We have doctors whose philosophy of care focuses on listening, and more importantly hearing, so they can treat you as a whole person – body, mind and spirit.
Sometimes, we even have Father-Daughter physician teams who pass the tradition of listening and caring from one generation to another. It’s that important.
Perhaps it’s time for you to find a doctor who cares about his – or her – patients like a member of the family. One who will listen to you and be your partner for a healthy life. Call 866-501-DOCS (3627) or visit
stjohnprovidence.org for more information.
A PA S S ION f o r H E A L I N G ST. JOHN HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER • ST. JOHN MACOMB-OAKLAND HOSPITAL • ST. JOHN RIVER DISTRICT HOSPITAL •
PROVIDENCE HOSPITALS–SOUTHFIELD AND PROVIDENCE PARK BRIGHTON HOSPITAL
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32