2nd Annual M.S.S. R. Awards!

Justin Verlander won his 3rd Mitten State Sports Report Award! 

     The Mitten State Sports Report is unveiling it's 2nd Annual Mitten State Sports Report Awards.  The 1st Annual Mitten State Sports Report Award winners were posted back on August 31st, 2013.  There were 20 categories last year, and 22 this year.  Best Mitten State Play By Play, and Best Mitten State Color Commentator have both been added.
     Scroll down to view the 2nd Annual M.S.S. R. Awards presented by the Mitten State Sports Report!  You can always leave a comment, and you can email the Mitten State Sports Report directly at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on past months to check out all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material!  Scroll down and vote in the monthly Poll Question!












                                                         2014 Mitten State Sports Report Awards
                                                 Presented by the Mitten State Sports Report
                                      (Awards are judged from September 2013 - September 2014)










- Best Mitten State Baseball Player


                                                   Miguel Cabrera  (3rd M.S.S. R. Award)











- Best Mitten State Football Player


                                                 Calvin Johnson (2nd M.S.S. R. Award)











- Best Mitten State Basketball Player


                                                      Andre Drummond











- Best Mitten State Hockey Player


                                                  Pavel Datsyuk  (2nd M.S.S. R. Award)











- Best Mitten State Boxer


                                               Ronald Hearns











- Best Mitten State MMA Fighter


                                                Joe Warren











- Best Mitten State Wrestler


                                               Rob Van Dam (2nd M.S.S. R. Award)











- Best Mitten State Soccer Player


                                              Zach Steinberger  (2nd M.S.S. R. Award)











- Best Mitten State Race Car Driver


                                             Brad Keselowski  (2nd M.S.S. R. Award)











- Best Mitten State Sports Analyst


                                                     Jalen Rose











-  Best Mitten State Play by Play


                                                   Mario Impemba











- Best Mitten State Color Commentator


                                                     Rod Allen











- Best Mitten State Coach


                                                 Mike Babcock











- Best Mitten State Moment


                              The Michigan State University football team winning the Rose Bowl!











- Best Mitten State Team


                            The Michigan State University football team  (2nd M.S.S. R. Award)











- Best Mitten State Breakthrough Player


                                                             J.D. Martinez











- Best Mitten State Comeback Player


                                                           Chauncey Billups











- Best Mitten State Upset


         The Eastern Michigan University baseball team upsets nationally ranked #20 Clemson 6-5.











- Best Mitten State Female Athlete


                                              Meryl Davis











- Best Mitten State Male Athlete


                                                Justin Verlander  ( 3rd M.S.S. R. Award)











- Mitten State Sports Community Leader


                                                              Joe Nathan











- Mitten State Sports Lifetime Achievement Award


                                                            Bo Shembechler

Zach Steinberger (in white) took home his 2nd Mitten State Sports Award!

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com



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Click on past months to check out all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material!

Change the Logo! Change the Song!

The Mitten State Sports Report believes that the Detroit Lions should change their animal cracker style logo!

     Even though the Detroit Lions lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 34-20 last Sunday, and most fans throughout Metro Detroit are hitting the panic button, this writer is not going to complain (right now) about the on field performance of the Detroit Lions!  We are long past the Matt Millen era, and the days when quarterbacks such as Dan Orlovsky, and Joey Harrington lined up behind center are long gone.  The Lions have drafted well in recent years, and the organization has a lot of talent.  Most importantly, the Lions have become competitive, and players like Calvin Johnson make the team a must watch every Sunday (or Monday, and sometimes Thursday).  So with all of the talent on the field, what could the Lions possibly change to improve, and upgrade the organization?  The Mitten State Sports Report has come up with three changes that the Detroit Lions, and the Ford family should seriously consider.
     The first, and possibly the most important change that the Detroit Lions need to make is to their logo.  Their animal cracker style logo (seen above) does not intimidate anybody, and in a game that requires mental, and physical toughness, it's almost laughable that the Lions continue line up each week with their current logo on their helmets.
     The second upgrade that the Lions should make is to their song. "Onward Down the Field" plays loud throughout Ford Field whenever the Lions score.  If you've ever been to a Lions game, it's almost embarrassing to have to sing along to the outdated, Opera style tune that blares the speakers when the Lions are fortunate enough to score.  It pails in comparison to hearing "Hail to the Victors", or many of the other traditional University fight songs.  It's a simple upgrade, and a new song should be done by one of the many famous musicians from our local area.
     The third change seems obvious, but it's something that the Lions have never had.  An official Detroit Lions cheerleading team should be added to the sidelines for home games, and could be made available for other local events.  The marketing could include calendars, fundraisers, television deals, and so much more.  The Lions have failed to capitalize on a fool proof method of making money, and have neglected this obvious way of generating interest to the team.  Look at how well known, and famous the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders have become!
     Simple changes off the field can go a long way.  The Tampa Bay Devil Rays were the joke of Major League Baseball until they changed their name.  The Tampa Bay Rays became competitive, and even made it to the World Series (loosing to the Philadelphia Phillies) as soon as they got rid of the Devil.  Martin Mahew has drafted well, Jim Schwartz has turned his hair gray coaching well, and the players have played well.  Maybe the changes that the Lions need to make are off the field?  Leave the Honolulu Blue, and Silver alone, but change the logo, change the song, and add cheerleaders.  Leave a comment, and let everyone know what you think!  You can email the Mitten State Sports Report directly at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com

 The views, and opinions expressed here are those of the Mitten State Sports Report!

For more information about the Detroit Lions click on http://www.detroitlions.com



For NFL stats, and standings click on  http://www.nfl.com



Leave a comment!  You know you have something important to say!   



Email the Mitten State Sports Report directly at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com



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Will Michigan State defeat Stanford in the Rose Bowl?  Scroll down and vote! 



Click on past months to check out all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material! 


                               
        

M.S.S.R. Awards Results!

Justin Verlander won twice at the 1st Annual Mitten State Sports Report Awards!

                                                       2013 Mitten State Sports Report Awards
                                               (Awards are judged from Aug 2012-Aug 2013)









- Best Mitten State Baseball Player



                                                        Miguel Cabrera












- Best Mitten State Football Player


                                                       Calvin Johnson












- Best Mitten State Basketball Player


                                                       Trey Burke












- Best Mitten State Hockey Player


                                                      Pavel Datsyuk












- Best Mitten State Boxer


                                                      Claressa Shields












- Best Mitten State MMA Fighter


                                                     Rashad Evans












- Best Mitten State Wrestler


                                                    Rob Van Dam












- Best Mitten State Soccer Player


                                                   Zach Steinberger












- Best Mitten State Race Car Driver


                                                    Brad Keselowski












- Best Mitten State Sports Analyst


                                                    Alexi Lalas












- Best Mitten State Coach


                                                Jim Leyland












- Best Mitten State Moment


                                               Cabrera wins the Triple Crown












- Best Mitten State Team


                                                The Detroit Tigers












- Best Mitten State Breakthrough Player


                                                 Damien Brunner












- Best Mitten State Comeback Player


                                                    Jeremy Bonderman












- Best Mitten State Upset


                                  Eastern Michigan upsets Purdue in Men's Basketball












- Best Mitten State Female Athlete


                                                Jordyn Wieber












- Best Mitten State Male Athlete


                                                Justin Verlander












- Mitten State Sports Community Leader


                                                Justin Verlander












- Mitten State Sports Lifetime Achievement Award


                                                 Ernie Harwell

Zach Steinberger (in white) won 'Best Mitten State Soccer Player' at the 1st Annual Mitten State Sports Awards!

Leave a comment or send an email to mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com


















   

The "Madden Cover Curse"

  

Was Dante Culpepper a victim of the Madden Cover Curse?

    Calvin Johnson was selected yesterday over Cam Newton to become the winner of the 2013 Madden Cover Tournament.  The tournament featured 64 of the top NFL players.  Millions of fans voted, proving that Johnson's accomplishments on the field have been recognized by NFL fans throughout the Country.  There is a downside for Johnson if you believe in the "Madden Cover Curse".  Here is a bit of history regarding the curse of the cover.
                                               

                                                  






                                                              Madden Cover Curse





1999  Garrison Hearst   49'ers   RB suffered a broken ankle in the playoffs and missed next 2 seasons
2000  Dorsy Levens      Packers RB was released in 2001
2001  Eddie George      Titans    RB averaged 3.4 yds. per carry for the rest of his career
2002  Daunte Culpepper Vikings QB suffered a knee injury and missed last 5 games of the season
2003  Marshall Faulk      Rams    RB failed to reach 1,000 yards rushing for a season again
2004  Michael Vick        Falcons QB broke leg and missed 11 games, jail time for dog fighting
2005  Ray Lewis            Ravens  LB missed last half of season due to injury
2006  Donovan McNabb Eagles QB suffered torn ACL along with various injuries
2007 Shaun Alexander SeahawksRB retired 2 seasons later after suffering various injuries
2008 Vince Young        Titans     QB lost starting job, is now a journeyman backup
2009  Brett Farve          Packers  QB lead the league in interceptions with 22
2010  Troy Polamalu    Steelers  S   sprained MCL and only played in 5 games
2011  Drew Brees        Saints    QB success but team faces bounty hunting and wire tapping scandals
2012  Peyton Hillis      Browns     RB played 10 games, rushed for 587 yds while suffering injuries

2013  Calvin Johnson   Lions     WR ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????

What about Vince Young? Curse or not?

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com