Motoring … to the top

Sporting News, The, July 6, 1998 by Bob Hille

That said, our top sports cities share some common themes:

* Though inevitably each city's interest in a team waxes and wanes with that team's fortunes, there is a sizable fist of fans who, like we do, disdain the corporate suits who scarf the best seats and then bug out after the third quarter/second period/sixth inning. We give a deferential--and knowing--nod to "macrofans," who attend games (win or lose) and react, watch, cybersurf, listen to and talk sports most every waking hour. You want to know where your city ranks, and, undoubtedly, you think it's ranked too low.

* There, are plenty of teams to root for in plenty of sports, and in a couple of cases you can take your pick from a Couple of teams in the same sport (although our rankings reward quality over quantity). It's like this: If you wear the same clothes every day, no matter how immaculately tailored, you're going to get bored--and boring. The key to a well-rounded and fulfilling sports experience is being able to pick and choose, trying on whatever suits you on a particular day. Some cities could hang their sports-experience potential on a hook; the best sports cities need walk-in closets.

* Much as it's hard to admit, there is, in our top sports cities, life away from the stadiums and arenas. There's fishing and boating, golfing and hiking in the woods (which high handicappers combine). There are even world-class museums and art galleries in cities where the non-spectating possibilities are abundant.

In short, then, the Best Sports City is not about winning alone. A city with a title is, indeed, entitled to special consideration in our rankings, but a championship is not the sole determining factor. Denver and Chicago, Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Lexington, Ky., have celebrated championships in the past 12 months in what TSN readers know as The Big Six-title towns each in the NFL, NBA, major league baseball and college basketball.

But only Detroit can boast two, count 'em, championships, in the NHL and college football.

The Best Sports City in 1998 is Motown, where the fans are especially revved up about hockey but the sports atmosphere is pedal to the metal 365 days a year.

On a warm and breezy evening in late May, it's a three-satellite dish, multiminicam, klieg-light night at Joe Louis Arena. I'm hanging with the railbirds, waiting for the doors to open for another Red Wings playoff game.

All across downtown, from The Joe, past the Renaissance Center ("the Ren-Cen" to locals) to the up-and-coming Warehouse District--where, Atwater Block Brewery ("Detroit's No. 1 draft pick") is jam-packed before, during and after tonight's game--back through touristy Greektown and the site of new Tiger Stadium to Nemo's Bar, Detroit throbs playoff hockey. The title defense is alive, and fans are confident and correct that the second Stanley Cup title since 1955 is but weeks away.

Yet minutes from The Joe the Tigers are playing, too, at the hallowed intersection of Michigan and Trumbull. And there is reason for excitement about this team. The nearsighted see an abysmal start to the 1998 season, but there is young talent, enough to move the Detroit. News to compare Deivi Cruz and Damion Easley to--hands over hearts, please--Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker. Ground has been broken on the new stadium, a $260 million structure, in the heart of downtown that, when opened in 2000, will have over the right field fence an unobstructed view or the Ren-Cen on the Detroit River.