Frank Navin’s affiliation with the Detroit Tigers dates back to 1902.  He started out as a bookkeeper for then-owner Samuel Angus.  The very next year, Navin bought stock in the Tigers and became a minority owner.  Prior to the 1907 season, he purchased 50% of the team from the new owner, William Yawkey.

From 1902 to 1935, Navin was involved in the direct management and oversight of the team.  It was Navin who signed the still unknown Ty Cobb and Hughie Jennings and built the teams that would win three consecutive American League pennants in 1907, 1908 and 1909.

Navin became president of the Tigers in 1908 and remained in that position throughout the remainder of his life.  Gambling problems forced Navin to sell part of the team to Walter O. Briggs Sr. in the early 1930s, but he remained active in the management of the team.

Perhaps Navin’s most lasting influence came in 1911-1912 when he tore down Bennett Park and built a steel and concrete structure that would bear his name.  Navin Field opened in April of 1912 and propelled Detroit baseball into a whole new level of play.

Navin Field served as the stadium (with multiple expansions) housing the Detroit Tigers for the next 88 years.  From 1912 through 1999, the Detroit Tigers played in Frank Navin’s home away from home.

Recently, my father-in-law stumbled upon the burial site of Frank Navin at a Southfield cemetery.  Navin remains above ground in a mausoleum guarded by — what else? — giant tigers.  Holy Sepulchre Cemetery is located at 25800 W. 10 Mile Road near Beech Daly.  Below are photos of Navin’s final resting place.

It should be noted that Navin worked his entire adult life trying to bring a World Series championship to Detroit.  He did so in October of 1935 — and died just a few weeks later.

Frank Navin's mausoleum at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan.

Giant tigers stand guard on either side of Frank Navin's burial site.

For those optimists, I will mention that if not for a blown call at the goal line, the Lions would have had it tied up in the fourth quarter. I would also mention that, even through his injured legs, Culpepper is the best QB the Lions have placed on the field this season. He knows how to run an NFL offense, the biggest criticism placed on Orlovsky and Stanton. His two-year deal is still questionable as a whole, but it provides security that the Lions will hopefully put the embarrassing loss to the Jags behind them.

For those reading the morning paper today there was a Web site mentioned that begged for the Lions to fill the NFL void in Los Angeles. In our city’s history this is not the first time a city has either threatened to leave and it likely won’t be the last. In fact, this isn’t even a threat, this is a local suggestion to another city. Unlike Fire Millen or Scott Mitchell + an expletive, this demonstrates a humiliation well beyond the job loss numbers we read about or the other difficult economic trends. 0-16’s biggest victim is not a single coach or GM, it’s the city that pays its hard-earned dollars to go to games, but cable packages and wear Lions apparel.

Most likely first win games in order:

1) 12/7 vs. Minnesota; 2) 11/23 vs. Tampa Bay; 3) 11/27 vs. Tennessee (they will put up a better fight than most think)

Not going to happen:

1) 12/28 @ Green Bay; 2) 12/21 vs. New Orleans; 3) 12/14 @ Indianapolis

You be the judge as you watch this incredible homemade highlight film.

This game was one of those epic games that comes along every 10 years or so. Not since the famed Wings-Avs fight night on one March evening have teams battled in a game that only counts for two points when it’s all said and done. Following 60-plus minutes, the Pens finally came out with a gutsy 7-6 OT victory by the tremendous play of Jordan Staal.

The Wings, who at one point led by three goals, played sloppy coming home and the young Pittsburgh players made them easily pay. For a rare opportunity for Detroit fans to see their home squad over these past few weeks, both teams clearly did not disappoint. With questions continuing to surround Osgood and Conklin, fans may shortly be hoping to see a new face in net.

With the best Lions of all time taking the field to be recognized, it was painfully apparent that this is no longer one of the league’s elite teams.  When Eddie Murray is one of your five best players of all-time, you are not elite.

We know about the 50-plus years without an NFL title and the single Super Bowl-era playoff win.  In 2008, misery may have company as 0-16 continues to creep closer, especially with the Titans, Colts, Panthers and Bucsstill on the radar.  The Detroit Lions’ rendezvous with destiny is no longer a championship.  It’s a winless season.

Naturally, in the NFL, it is much easier to have an 0-for season.  With less games to play and the lack of possibility to have a hot shooting hand or hurler on the mound, 0-16 is much easier than 0-82 or 0-162.

Since this team is still essentially a Millen team, this is the second time during this era when the Lions have been in jeopardy of the “perfect season.”

2001 (the final year of the Lions in Pontiac) saw Detroit spring out to a 0-12 record before beating Minnesota in a nail-biter. That season also happened to end on a win, which kept the Lions from the worst record and the second pick (no. 1 went to expansion Houston). Detroit’s prize for that awful season?  Joey Harrington.

Just as the Lions found themselves searching for a QB then, the same has come true in 2008-09. Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton became options number 3 and 4 trotted out on the field this season, and the result has been continuously disappointing.

The plain fact is neither one of these guys is Bobby Layne — and they never will be.  And if Detroit Lions fans no longer know the difference, they were reminded of it during Sunday’s All-Time team ceremony.  If the Lions are ever going to “restore the roar” and the glory of the 1950s, they’re going to have to change the entire culture of the team.  Only then will their destiny change.  For now, their only rendezvous is with disaster.

The first five seasons at Comerica Park were not pretty.  In terms of attendance, it was the worst opening of a new ballpark in decades.  Unlike the fanfare most new stadiums receive, Comerica Park was met with anxiety and irritation caused by the abandonment of Tiger Stadium and the team’s lackluster play.

But time heals all wounds — and so does a winning ball club.  The ice began to melt in 2004 when the Tigers signed Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez.  Coming off of a 119 loss season and near financial bankruptcy, the Tigers were able to build some excitement with the addition of the full fledged all-star catcher.

2005 was a splash in large part because of the hosting of the All-Star Game.  The Tigers used the once-in-a-lifetime event to force those wanting to attend to buy regular season ticket packages.  In a single year, the team’s season ticket base more than doubled.  By that time, the Tigers were actually playing respectable baseball.  Magglio Ordonez had joined Pudge and some young talent was beginning to blossom.

By 2006, the Tigers had developed a roster with true talent and the empty seats at Comerica Park were beginning to disappear.  Jim Leyland joined the club as its manager and a new sense of purpose was instilled in the team.  Veteran pitchers Kenny Rogers and Todd Jones were brought on board to shore things up and rookie Justin Verlander wowed the baseball world with great control and dominance.

But All-Star Games and individual feats don’t mean much in a baseball town like Detroit.

If there was a turning point in Comerica Park’s young history, it was the miraculous post-season performance of the ‘06 squad and the American League Championship they won.  It was the first time in 19 years that the Tigers won the pennant — and everyone who ever called himself a Tigers fan was back on the bandwagon.

Despite its slow start and a rough transition, Comerica Park can now be proclaimed a success.  Ticket sales now exceed 3 million fans per year — at the highest prices ever charged.  A new generation of Tigers fans have embraced all the intricacies of the park that once seemed awkward.  And the place now seems seasoned and broken-in.  It has become a fun and exciting venue in which to watch a ball game.

It’s hard to believe, but in 2009, the Tigers will begin their tenth season at Comerica Park.  Here’s hoping it’s one to remember. 

Forbes Magazine recently reported that the Red Wings are the fourth most valuable NHL franchise, valued at $303 million.  “Next year the Red Wings have to decide if they want to extend their lease on Joe Louis Arena,” Forbes reported,  ”which is extremely lucrative for the team because it allows ownership to run the arena, nearby Cobo Arena, and the parking garage for both facilities for just $450,000 a year.”

The fact that their lease is expiring and that the city is trying desperately to expand the Cobo convention center to accomodate the annual Auto Show could make the move more likely.  However, the Ilitches will likely seek massive government subsidies for a new arena project and local coffers are currently empty.

The number one team in terms of net worth are the Wings’ rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, valued at $448 million.  The Leafs’ gate receipts were $78 million compared to the Red Wings’ $54 million. 

If I were a betting man, I would put my money on the assumption that the blue prints for a new Red Wings arena have already been drawn up and that the Ilitches are simply waiting for the right political opportunity to strike.  The plan will be sold as “economic development” for Detroit and the Ilitches will be praised for their “civic pride” and commitment to the city.  Any budget shortfalls will be supplemented by revenues from the Ilitch’s Motor City Casino.

There will not be much resistence this time around compared to the move out of Tiger Stadium.  The question is whether or not the Red Wings will be able to raise ticket prices at a new arena in a weak economy to an even higher level than they are now at The Joe.

Michael Curry finally has his first real test as a coach. Allen Iverson can be a coach-killer and often doesn’t fit within the scope of a team gameplan. In a coach looking to make his mark on this team, this move provides an opportunity to test what Curry’s impact will be long-term. It’s pretty funny that the trade was made before the Pistons game against Larry Brown and the Charlotte Bobcats. Brown provides a connection between Iverson and the Pistons both in player-coach connections and through ugly eras in team histories.

This trade represents a significant shift in mentality for the Pistons. The 2010 free agent class is filled with stars like LeBron, Kobe and Chris Bosh who will all literally have the world at their feet. With a potential $20-million plus under the cap, the Pistons have set themselves up for the opportunity to be successful and exciting for a few years to come.

Delvecchio played for the Wings from 1951 through 1974.  He holds the NHL records for seasons played and games played in a career spent with only one team.  His name appears three times on the Stanley Cup for the years 1952, 1954 and 1955.  He played in an amazing thirteen All-Star Games: 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967 — a total surpassed by only five players.

Delvecchio was the Red Wings’ team captain for twelve years, a mark surpassed only by Steve Yzerman.  He ranks second in Red Wings’ history in games played and third in points, goals and assists.  He remains 8th all-time in NHL history in games played and 27th in points scored.

Delvecchio was the third man in the Red Wings incredible “Production Line” along with Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay.  The Red Wings retired Delvecchio’s number 10 in 1991 — and it will forever hang in their rafters.

You’ll enjoy this interview with him as he shares stories from his childhood and his playing days.  What a class act.

In this short video clip, Ernie shares his thoughts on Al Kaline and declares him the best ball player he’s ever seen in a Tiger uniform.  Keep in mind, Ernie never saw Cobb play, so the compliment is not limitless.  But it certainly means a tremendous amount.