Sports have always been an integral part of Michigan’s culture. From the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings to the University of Michigan Wolverines, it seems like everyone in the state is a diehard fan of some team or another.
But lately, there has been a surge in interest from sports fans all over Michigan — and not just for one particular team. The state has become increasingly passionate about its teams, with more people cheering for their favorite athletes than ever before.
From professional franchises to college athletics, Michiganders are showing their love for these teams by attending games, wearing apparel, and sharing stories on social media; all signs that indicate that sports in Michigan are more popular than they’ve ever been before.
Rise In Interest From Sports Fans All Over Michigan
Sports in Michigan have been on the rise lately, with a surge of interest from sports fans all over the state. From Detroit Tigers and Red Wings games to University of Michigan Wolverines matches, it feels like everyone in the state is a diehard fan of some team or another. It’s as if Michiganders are determined to outshine even their most intense rivals when it comes to cheering for their favorite teams.
The popularity of Michigan sports franchises is further evident in the number of people attending games and wearing apparel. The stands are packed with loyal fans from all over the state who are eagerly rooting for their beloved teams and showing support for players no matter what the outcome may be.
Mr. Hockey earned NHL All-Star honors in five decades.
Before there was the “Great One” (Wayne Gretzky), the king of the hockey world was “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe. During a 32-year career that spanned parts of five decades, Howe, who passed away Friday at age 88, was a dominating performer and skilled performer who was able to compete at a high level even past the age of 50.
Howe joined the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL as an 18-year old rookie in 1946. During his 25 seasons in Detroit he led the Red Wings to four Stanley Cup titles while winning six scoring titles and six Hart Memorial Trophies as the league MVP.
During the 1968-69 season, at the age of 40, Howe scored a career-high 103 points (the NHL expanded from a 70 game to 76 game season in 1967-68). He was named an All-Star in 22 of his 25 seasons with the Red Wings.
After retiring in 1971, Howe returned to the spot in 1973 as a member of the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association. There he played with his sons Mark and Marty and soon proved that he was still among the best hockey players in the world. He was named league MVP in 1974 (an award renamed the next year as the Gordie Howe Award). He also led the Aeros to two WHA championships.
He moved to the New England Whalers in 1977 and after the WHA folded the renamed Hartford Whalers joined the NHL in 1979. Howe, at the age of 51, played in all 80 games of the 1979-80 season while helping the Whalers make the playoffs.
In a fitting tribute, Howe was named to the All-Star team with the game being played at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Howe completed his career having been selected to NHL All-Star teams in five decades. Also appearing in that game was 19-year-old Wayne Gretzky.
Below are links to some of the great highlights of Howe’s career available on YouTube.
The new NHL season has opened up and it has started up with a bang. The NHL regular season is a marathon followed by the playoffs. The playoffs are a marathon run at high tempo while somebody beats you with a stick. Alexander Ovechkin however only knows how to sprint. He’s exploded to start the season with three points in each of his first three games.
That’s a Gretzky/Lafleur start to a season that hasn’t been seen in the NHL for 20 years.
Philadelphia and Washington played an important game in October, honest!! They played a great, exciting, back and forth game that Philadelphia won 6-5 in overtime. There were five lead changes in a 6-5 game as in Philly, Washington, Philly, Washington Philly. Besides Ovechkins third three point night and Semin’s highlight reel goal there was a hat trick for Philadelphia’s Mike Richards. Daniel Briere got the overtime winner. Is it time for the playoffs yet?
The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month is a former major league baseball player who came into the game as a teenager and stayed until he was in his 40s. In between, Rusty Staub put up a solid career that was primarily spent on expansion or rebuilding teams.
Originally signed by the Colt .45s at age 17, he made his major league debut as a 19-year old rookie and became only the second player in the modern era to play in more than 150 games as a teenager.
Though he hit only .224 splitting time between first base and rightfield, Staub did start building a foundation that would turn him into an All-Star by 1967 when he finished fifth in the league with a .333 batting average.
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