Peterson: Kaline was more than a star

April 7, 2020

One of the few things any Detroit Tigers fan will seldom argue about is the legacy of Al Kaline. The former All-Star rightfielder was more than a star—he was an icon in the Motor City. I had the chance to see him play many times and also the opportunity to interview him once for a story. But I have several memories of his excellent play. The first came in 1958 when the Tigers hosted the Kansas City A’s in a doubleheader at old Briggs Field. The A’s, like the Tigers, were a second division team that long ago season, but they swept the twinbill. Charlie “Paw Paw” Maxwell ...

Peterson: Sports were better back in the day

March 31, 2020

In these sportless days now upon us, the television networks have taken to running sports events of the past, in some cases, the distant past. We have seen countless reruns of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The great rivalries of the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, and the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche. Even WLUC-TV in Marquette has dusted off its files to show past high school championship games. It’s during these returns to the days of old that I’ve noticed something that I’ve suspected for some time: Sports was much better 20 or 30 years ...

Some sports quotes to peruse

March 25, 2020

In the troubled times we find ourselves in today, perhaps a few sports quotes will give us something to think or even chuckle about. It’s been said that laughter is the best medicine, so let’s give it a shot. Yogi Berra, perhaps the most quotable sports figure ever, was once asked what time it was: “You mean right now?” was his his answer. Harry Caray, Hall of Fame announcer. describing a play: “How could Jorge Orta lose a fly ball in the sun? He’s from Mexico.” Former Princeton University basketball coach Pete Caril, after being asked about the three-point ability ...

Peterson: Coffee break business closes

March 17, 2020

I believe it was late Marquette University basketball coach Al McGuire who once observed that “sports is the coffee break of life.” And just like that, the coffee break was suspended last week. With the spread of Coronavirus, just about every major sport in this country has postponed business. The cancellation of the NCAA basketball tournament was the — first and most stunning — of the cancellations. There are literally millions of dollars involved in the Final Four. And that’s not even counting the office pools that spring up at this time every year. When the ...

Peterson: March can often be bittersweet

March 4, 2020

It was one of those early March afternoons that used to be more common than not. The snowbanks from a long, tough winter were finally melting in the mid-30’s degrees. Rivulets of water slowly ran along the path to Sherman Gym. It was March Madness in all its glory and it was the final day of my athletic career. But more on that later. March Madness can be a magical time for high school sports teams. It’s a time of huge upsets in tournament play, and you only have to recall a 6-12 Lake Linden (they were the Whiz Kids then) team spilling an undefeated Ewen-Trout Creek team in ...

Peterson: Finlandia women get lift from locals

February 26, 2020

The Finlandia University women’s basketball team is enjoying one of its better seasons in quite awhile. With a nine-game winning streak — and overall 14-11 record this winter — coach Mariah Dunham’s team goes into the AACA tournament this weekend as the number two seed. You have to go all the way back to the 2003-2004 campaign to find a Lions squad as successful as this year’s edition. That Finlandia team of 16 years ago was led by local products Jill Koski or Baraga and Brooke Sirard of L’Anse. Koski, a great all around player, ended her career as the all-time ...