Fare thee well, Tarik Skubal … you were amazing

Posted on by farlane
Farewell Tarik Skubal by Detroit Tigers

Farewell Tarik Skubal by Detroit Tigers

“I want to live in the moment. There’s a lot of stuff going on around me that I have no control in. I try to be pretty present all the time. And when the fans get on their feet like that and give you a pretty good ovation, it’s special. It’ll never not be special, and it’s something I’ve always appreciated. And hopefully they feel the same way. Hopefully they feel like I’ve given everything to the team, to the city, because I truly have.” -Tarik Skubal, after his 1000th strikeout

I am one of the many fans who thinks that back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal has pitched his last game for the Detroit Tigers, and I am going to process by disappointment by telling you all of the accomplishments of one of the greatest left hand pitchers in Tiger history.

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Looking back & forward on Tiger Stadium’s Birthday

Posted on by farlane
Tiger Stadium "The Corner", 2008 by Bob Julius

Tiger Stadium “The Corner”, 2008 by Bob Julius

Historic Detroit shares that Tiger Stadium opened on April 20, 1912, the same day as Fenway Park in Boston — and five days after the RMS Titanic sank. The park was shuttered in 1999 and the team moved from Corktown to the brand new downtown Comerica Park. Last October, Fifth Third Bancorp bought Comerica raising questions regarding the name of the ballpark. A couple days ago Fifth Third released a statement that seemed to imply that the home of the Detroit Tigers will be renamed following the 2026 season.

“Fifth Third is deeply committed to the communities we serve, including Detroit. Comerica Park is a treasured landmark with a rich history, and we understand how much it means to Tigers fans and to the city. At some point the name will change, but not until the offseason. We’ll continue to support the places and partnerships that matter most to our customers and communities.” – Fifth Third Bancorp

I got a whole lot of blowback when I suggested in a sports group that it be renamed “Tiger Stadium”, but I’m still gonna say that is the best name. What would you like to hear it called?

Bob took this picture back in 2008 before the bulldozers came & shared that there’s still baseball being played on the Willie Horton Field of Dreams at the Corner Ballpark. You can see more in his Detroit gallery on Flickr including the shot below of a sold out Comerica Park for the Billy Joel concert in July of 2022.

Lots more about Tiger Stadium on Michigan in Pictures.

Billy Joel Live @ Comerica Park by Bob Julius
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NCAA Final Four coming to Detroit in 2026

Posted on by farlane

Editor’s note: I don’t know if I’ve ever had 3 sports posts in a single week or started & ended the week with a photo from the same photographer. Guess it’s just one of those special weeks and one of those special photographers!

NCAA Fan Jam Mobile by Montez Miller

NCAA Fan Jam Mobile by Montez Miller

Although the NCAA National Basketball Champions haven’t even held their parade yet (Saturday, April 11 @ 10am in Ann Arbor), the NCAA is already beginning promotions for the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Detroit that takes place April 3 & 5 at Ford Field (click for tickets & details).

Our friend Montez Miller was at the kickoff yesterday in Detroit for the NCAA Fan Jam Mobile tour that will travel to the 83 counties of Michigan through April of 2027 to build awareness and excitement for another huge event for the state of Michigan & our largest city.

Here are some more photos from the Detroit event below, and I snuck in a gorgeous shot of the new Hudson’s in downtown Detroit that she shared last night! Follow her on Facebook for the latest!

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University of Michigan wins NCAA Championship!

Posted on by farlane
Champs by University of Michigan Men's Basketball

🏆 CHAMPS 🏆 by University of Michigan Men’s Basketball

Michigan Men’s Basketball shares that the top seeded and No. 3-ranked University of Michigan men’s basketball team took down No. 7-ranked UConn last night by a score of 69-63 to secure their second NCAA championship. They share that in addition to the national championship, the Wolverines won the Big Ten championship with a 19-1 record, had the Big Ten Player of the Year (consensus All-American Yaxel Lendeborg), the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (7′ 3″ center Aday Mara), and Big Ten Coach of the Year Dusty May.

Unsurprisingly, fans took to the streets of Ann Arbor following the win as you can see in the photos mLive shared. While there were some reports of fires, it looks like it was mostly couches with no serious damage (other than to the couches).

PS: I promise that even though there have been three straight sports posts, this isn’t a sports blog – the state of Michigan is just having a moment right now!

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Detroit Pistons are the 2026 Eastern Conference Champions!!

Posted on by farlane
Daniss Jenkins by Montez Miller & Tell Us Detroit

Daniss Jenkins stepping up by Montez Miller & Tell Us Detroit

I was tempted to feature a photo from Detroit-based photographer & Michpics friend Montez Miller on my Detroit Tigers Opening Day post on Friday, but something told me I needed to hold off. That something turned out to be the Detroit Pistons who clinched their first Eastern Conference title since the 2006-07 season! ESPN shares how a gritty Pistons squad managed to seal the deal by going 7-2 after superstar & team leader Cade Cunningham went down with a scary lung injury.

All-Star center Jalen Duren has taken more of a central offensive role, averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds on 66% shooting since Cunningham went down. Reserve point guard Daniss Jenkins reemerged from a midseason slump to take advantage of increased playing time, with 19.3 points and over seven assists. On Saturday, Jenkins had 14 assists, one short of his career high.

“With Cade here, we were more relaxed, we knew we had more of a superstar to get us to wins,” Pistons swingman Ausar Thompson told ESPN. “But since he’s been gone, we all gathered around and knew we had to be more gritty, missing such a big piece. We had to make up for less offense on the defensive side.”

Here are a few more from Montez so we can get a pic of Cade in. For sure follow Montez Miller and Tell Us Detroit on Facebook for many (many) more along with all kinds of Detroit Tigers & other Motor City magic!

Lots more Detroit Pistons over the years on Michigan in Pictures!

2026 Pistons FACTS via the Detroit Pistons

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Detroit Tigers Opening Day 2026

Posted on by farlane
Detroit Tigers Opening Day at Comerica Park

Detroit Tigers Opening Day at Comerica Park

With sunny skies and temps near 70° at 1:10pm when fan favorite Brandon Inge throws out the first pitch, today looks like a fantastic day for Tiger baseball and Opening Day fun!

If you’re not lucky enough to have tickets to the sold out home opener, a highlight will be the Opening Day Block Party that takes over Witherell Street alongside Comerica Park with music, entertainment, and fan activations with appearances from PAWS and Rally Cats.

Other highlights for the day include Downton Detroit’s free Opening Day Tailgate Party in Grand Circus Park next to the ballpark with the food trucks & the game on the big screen, and of course my friends in the Honest 2 God Jug Band playing the opening day party right after the game at historic Cliff’s Bells.

Let’s go Tigers!!

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Michigan March Madness

Posted on by farlane
Michigan State vs. Michigan by Matt Hallowell

Michigan State vs. Michigan by Matt Hallowell

College basketball fans in Michigan will be eating very well tonight with both Michigan and Michigan State reaching the NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet Sixteen. Top seeded Michigan Wolverines will tip off against 4th seeded Alabama at 7:35pm and third seeded MSU Spartans will face on 2 seed UConn at 9:45. For sure tune in on Saturday for the Michigan Wolverines who will face Louisville on Saturday at 12:30 in the NCAA Women’s Sweet Sixteen matchup!

Matt Hallowell was the photo editor for The State News & has shared some great photos over the years including these from 2012. Head over to his photostream on Flickr for more!

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Michigan Ice Fest is taming frozen falls in the Upper Peninsula

Posted on by farlane
Ice Climber by James Marvin Phelps

Ice Climber by James Marvin Phelps

Frozen Flow by James Marvin Phelps

Frozen Flow by James Marvin Phelps

Michigan Ice Fest is an annual ice climbing event that kicks off today and runs February 11-15, 2026 in Munising in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The event is an annual celebration of the sport of ice climbing with competitions, clinics, and plenty of social fun! National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation has an interview with Michigan Ice Fest organizer Bill Thompson below that you should check out.

James took these photos last January in the Pictured Rocks. See more in his Michigan Waterfalls gallery and visit James Marvin Phelps Art to view & purchase his work!

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Michigan athletes bound for the Winter Olympics!

Posted on by farlane
Winter by Kevin Ryan

Winter by Kevin Ryan

CBS Detroit reports that there will be 17 Olympians from Michigan on Team USA out of the nearly 230 athletes we’re sending to Milan-Cortina, Italy. Athletes range from old timers like 5-time Olympian & gold medalist Nick Baumgartner or dual gold medal winning freestyle skier Kaila Kuhn to Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin to first time hopefuls. Best of luck to all these Team USA athletes!

  • Evan Bates, 36, Ann Arbor, Ice Dancing
  • Nick Baumgartner, 44, Iron River
  • Christina Carreira, 25, St. Clair, Ice Dancing
  • Madison Chock, 33, Redondo Beach, California, Ice Dancing
  • Kyle Connor, 29, Shelby Township, Ice Hockey
  • Connor Hellebuyck, 32, Commerce Township, Ice Hockey
  • Jack Hughes, 24, Canton, Ice Hockey
  • Quinn Hughes, 26, Canton, Ice Hockey
  • Megan Keller, 29, Farmington Hills, Ice Hockey
  • Vadym Kolesnik, 24, Novi, Ice Dancing
  • Kaila Kuhn, 22, Boyne City, Freestyle Skiing
  • Dylan Larkin, 29, Waterford Township, Ice Hockey
  • Kirsten Simms, 21, Plymouth, Ice Hockey
  • Jake Vedder, 27, Pickney, Snowboarding
  • Winter Vinecki, 27, Gaylord, Freestyle Skiing
  • Zach Werenski, 28, Grosse Pointe Woods, Ice Hockey
  • Emilea Zingas, 23, Grosse Pointe Farms, Ice Dancing

Kevin shared these photos from Mulligan’s Hollow in Grand Haven way back in 2010. Check out his Sports gallery on Flickr for lots more great shots!

UFO by Kevin Ryan
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Michigan High School Athletes can make a name for themselves

Posted on by farlane
Winners by Steven Scherbinski

Winners by Steven Scherbinski

Yesterday the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MSHAA) unveiled their new name, image, and likeness (NIL) rule. Under the policy, a student-athlete may earn compensation from the individual use of their Personal Branding Activity (PBA), including activities such as commercials, product endorsements, personal appearances, autograph or photo sessions, merchandise, sports cards, apparel sales, group licensing, personal logos, or acting as a social media influencer. These must be individual opportunities for individual student-athletes.

They add that students can’t use the uniform, mascot, or name of any school and that they can’t endorse inappropriate things or be paid to play. Click through for all the info on PBA from MHSAA and let me know what you think about this.

I featured Steve’s photo 18 years ago but had to bring it back because it’s got the perfect “million dollar shot” vibe! Head over to Flickr to see his most popular pics!

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