The Michigan Way

The University of Michigan is synonymous with winning. 9 NCAA Ice Hockey Championships, the highest total, and the longest current active streak for NCAA Ice Hockey tournament appearances at 25, is impressive to say the least. Even more incredible is that the university holds the record for all time number of wins (860) and winning percentage (.745) in Division I-A football. Given just a few of the many athletic achievements it is no wonder why the university proclaimed itself "the leaders and best," because they are. Or well they were. As of late the Wolverines have been more linked to the term underachieving rather than winning, but where do I begin? How about a sport that has not had as much success as of late, basketball. Could the class of 2007 seniors have underachieved just a little bit more than they did? At any other school those seniors, yes I mean you Courtney Sims, Lester Abram, Brent Petway, Ron Coleman and Dion Harris could've at least made it to the tournament, but not at the University of Michigna. Congratulations on one N.I.T. tournament championship and well not a whole lot else. You 5 made me believe in Michigan basketball at the beginning of each season that maybe, just maybe we could make the tournament, but every year you let me down and even last year you were one dunk, yes one DUNK away from the dance. Granted, this is basketball so I guess I can't get too upset. How about hockey, yes there is no way one of the most decorated hockey programs could underachieve especially in a season where they only lost 5 games. Think again folks. This past Thursday was just another item on the list of recent under achievements by Michigan athletics. After cruising through the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, I thought this would be the year, all this underachieving had to end this year. It was our turn. Apparently no nobody told Notre Dame, who Michigan outscored 8-3 in two games earlier in the season. After one of the worst defensive performances I have ever laid my eyes upon in the first period, the wolverines battle back and things were on the upswing. Fast forward to overtime where Notre Dame decided it would crush all of Ann Arbor's hopes with its victory over Michigan. No way a team with 15, yes 15, loses could defeat a team with merely 5, well folks this is Michigan. But neither of those sports were our pride and joy - football. No way the winningest program in history could underachieve, not a chance. Enter the class of 2008. Coming into the season the words that described the Michigan offense were along the lines of explosive, a well oiled machine, a vortex of awesomeness, etc. Enter Division I-AA Appalachian State, who was apparently ill informed about this juggernaut team that had national title hopes. 3 hours into the season those hopes were gone. This class of 2008 had arguably the most talent to walk through the Big House halls in years, led by 4 year starters Mike Hart and Chad "Ballgame" Henne. How can a class that put up numbers that were astonishing over their careers go 1-3 in bowl games and more importantly 0-4 against Ohio State. As soon as you enter Ann Arbor only one game matters and thats the game against Ohio State. Way to drop the ball there seniors, both metaphorically and literally speaking. It just frustrates me how a school bound to the tradition of winning can stand for such under achievements in athletics. Getting to the Frozen Four or winning 11 games means nothing without one thing - a fat championship ring. The last team to do that - women's softball in 2005. Maybe "the leaders and best" are just slumping, we can only hope, or maybe this is a pattern that we will see in years to come - accepting mediocrity when nothing but the best should be accepted from the best. Michigan: Get your act together before its too late.

Uh Oh (And Five)

December 5, 2007 a blockbuster trade was made in Major League Baseball sending the Tigers Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis in exchange for Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin among 4 other players. With this trade the Tigers were given what was thought to be an unstoppable lineup in which billions of runs would be score... or so we thought. Granted the Tigers have assembled what is on paper the best lineup that baseball has seen since the '90s Yankees and can even be compared to the Murders Row lineup decades back. Aside from the fact that Cabrera and Willis have been proven performers, although Willis has struggled in recent seasons, they are both in their early to mid twenties and have at least ten more years in each of them, barring injury. Also with the arrival of Willis came a solid addition to a staff that was weak at times last season. All things considered nothing could stop the Tigers this year... except wait who is in relief? In December that question was answered by who cares we'll outscore everybody this year who needs relief. Well in today's baseball where a good outing from a starter is 6 to 7 innings, relief is pretty important. It is rare to turn on the game in the 8th inning and see a starting pitcher still in, and if he is still in he's running on fumes. So in today's game relief is pretty important. So who is in relief? Well, tending to be the first choice out of the bullpen has been Jason "Oh no now we're going to lose because he is pitching" Grilli. Grilli is someone who you want as a third, or preferably fourth choice in relief, definitely not your first. Also thrown into the mix the Tigers sport the ever popular Bobby Seay, wait what does he do, not a whole lot of good either. I don't even feel the need to touch on the rest of the middle and long relievers. In closing no game is ever safe when Todd Jones takes the hill, even with the 5 run lead Tigers fans think they can have every game. Now the season is only 5 games in, but if the Tigers don't win tonight it only gets worse from there having to travel to Boston and then back to Chicago before a quick home series against the Twins. Don't hit the panic button just yet, but do be worried that even though huge deals were made this off season nothing was done to improve the weakest part of the team, the bullpen.