There was a time, not long ago, when winning a world championship seemed rare.
The Tigers won in 1968, and no area team did it again until the Tigers in 1984.
The Lions, Red Wings and Pistons didn’t come close during that period. Mostly they were dreadful. Michigan State basketball did win the national title in ‘79, but it was a one-shot deal because of Magic Johnson. It wasn’t something sustainable. Michigan football was a power under Bo Schembechler, and the Wolverines’ popularity grew enormously during the ‘70s and ‘80, but the one thing missing from Bo’s glowing record was a national title.
But since the Pistons broke through and won back-to-back titles, the last two decades have been terrific. The Red Wings with their four championships, the Pistons with three, Michigan with its national title in football, MSU with another one in basketball - and the Tigers unexpected and thrilling pennant ride in 2006.
It never gets old, does it?
I do think, however, it’s obvious that the longer span between titles, the more excited people get when one is captured.
As exciting as this title run was for the Red Wings, it didn’t carry quite the same luster as in 1997 when it broke a four-decade drought at a time when the rest of Detroit’s teams were struggling.
I do, however, feel it is more indicative of the Red Wings’ franchise and the utter brilliance of their front office.
What is the saying? As difficult as it is to reach the top, it’s even more difficult to stay there. The Red Wings have been on top for a long time. They don’t always win the Stanley Cup, but they are always the team to go through. Even when they lost to Anaheim, Calgary and Edmonton unexpectedly during the early rounds, those teams reached the finals. Each lost in the finals, but all went to seven games.
Because of those postseason disappointments, though, the Red Wings needed this title to seal the legacy of this great era. Even though they played well during the playoffs in 2007, reaching the Western Conference finals, they had become known primarily for their playoff failures.
Not anymore.

Random Thoughts

- I fully expect the Pistons to name their new coach early next week. And from what I understand, it’s still going to be Michael Curry. If that is, indeed, the case, it will be interesting how Curry handles his first real public exposure as coach.

- The baseball draft is more of a shot in the dark than any of the other major sports, so time will tell whether the Tigers hit the jackpot with University of Arizona reliever Ryan Perry, their first-round pick Thursday. There is obviously a need there, but I must admit I do have my concerns when it comes to drafting college relievers in the first round. Remember Rick Greene and Matt Anderson?