Detroit, MI

Mitch Albom: Detroit Opening Day tradition embraces the local perfectly

Published

3 weeks ago

April 5, 2026

Mitch Albom: Detroit Opening Day tradition embraces the local perfectly

To many people, it makes no sense. Here was the seventh game of a 162-game baseball season, the Detroit Tigers had lost four of the six already played, yet seemingly the entire city converged on downtown Friday, April 3, to get into the stadium, or sit outside the stadium, or just hang around the stadium.

They stuffed bars and restaurants. They drank beer despite the early hour. They wore orange or blue clothing and caps with an Old English “D.” There is no way to count how many total people swarmed the streets, or how many of them had called in sick to their jobs to be here.

We call it Opening Day, and in Detroit it is virtually a holiday. Not elsewhere. Other cities don’t make this fuss. To many of them, going wild for the seventh game of the season makes no sense.

And that’s OK.

In fact, it’s perfect.

Far from the only nonstandard tradition

Opening Day made me think about how many things we do around these parts that are uniquely ours, traditions that we cherish but which don’t necessarily travel.

The Dream Cruise. It began as a charity event, and is now is a fixture on the August calendar. But if you tell someone in Boston or San Diego that thousands of people sit in lawn chairs along a busy boulevard to watch old cars drive past, you’ll get laughed out of the room.

The Independence Day Fireworks. Yes, other cities have them. No, they don’t have them in late June. We do. Supposedly we do this because of our proximity to Canada, which celebrates on a different schedule. Of course, Canada Day is July 1, and America’s holiday is July 4, so someone should explain how June got in there.

But, hey, maybe they shouldn’t. It’s our tradition. And that’s what’s important.

Sweetest Day. Hate to break this to area lovers, but that’s not really a thing in the most of the country.

Paczki Day – yes, it’s a way to celebrate Fat Tuesday, but it’s much bigger here in the Midwest than in other regions.

The Charity Preview at the Detroit Auto Show. That’s like the Motor City’s Met Gala, but it doesn’t exist elsewhere. And auto shows in general are not the must-see events they are in our town.

Traditions like throwing octopi at hockey games, singing “born and raised in South Detroit!” chanting “Onward Down the Field” when the Lions score or yelling “DEEE-TROIT BAS-KET-BALLLLLL!” are things you will not witness anywhere else.

And it may be a hot dog everywhere else, but it’s a coney here.

If all of this makes us quirky, well, quirky we should be. Because in a world of increasing homogenization, local traditions are in peril.

A taste for tradition

Consider what the internet and multinational corporations desire. Everyone on the same page at the same time.

Apple wants the whole world to line up at a given hour for the new iPhone. Taylor Swift wants the whole world hanging on her latest release. Local coffee shops get swallowed by chains. Local eateries surrender to fast food.

As someone who travels for work, I can tell you, decades ago when you went to the South, you heard different music on the radio. You went out West, you saw different retail outlets. You felt like an outsider. You felt like you were someplace new and wondrous.

Today, Nashville looks like Austin looks like Raleigh looks like Phoenix. There’s your P.F. Chang’s next to your Cheesecake Factory. There’s your Best Buy alongside your Costco. The goal of global economies is scale, big numbers, national – even international – audiences. Everyone wants to be the Super Bowl.

But what of the joy of regional customs? Local traditions? The food you can only get here, the music you can only hear there. As the internet shrinks our distance, it also fades our individuality.

When I was a kid in Philadelphia, they had a parade every New Year’s Day, where string bands marched and people wore these crazy costumes, painted their faces, and competed in different categories. It was called the Mummers Parade, and in my youthful naivete, I thought every city did this. Later I realized it was unique to Philly, and in fact, many outsiders found it silly.

Well, as Paul McCartney sang, it isn’t silly at all. Local color shades who we are. Local activities give us a sense of identity. Local traditions bind us to our hometowns, and our shared memories with neighbors.

So we can ask “Did you go to Opening Day?” around here and people know what we mean. There’s something precious about that. In an age of everyone buying from Amazon and eating at McDonald’s, we should fiercely protect what makes us unique.

So yeah, wearing a “Trammell” jersey or telling your friends, “I’ll meet you at Mario’s before the game for the lobster buffet” may make no sense to outsiders. Good. It’s not supposed to.

Contact Mitch Albom: malbom@freepress.com. Check out the latest updates on his charities, books and events at MitchAlbom.com. Follow @mitchalbom on x.com.

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Detroit, MI

Lions draft grades Reacts survey: Grade the full 2026 class

Published

4 hours ago

April 25, 2026

Press Room

Lions draft grades Reacts survey: Grade the full 2026 class

The Detroit Lions’ 2026 NFL draft class is in the books, and the team used seven draft picks to fill needs and add depth throughout the roster. General manager Brad Holmes got to work in the middle of the first round by grabbing their right tackle of the future, and then snagged a high upside edge in the second round. On Day 3, Detroit added more depth at linebacker, corner, slot receiver, and added a couple of defensive linemen.

Here’s a look at the team’s 2026 draft class:

Throughout the offseason, SB Nation will host surveys for NFL fans, sponsored by the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook, who currently have the Lions listed as +1800 to win this year’s Super Bowl, +850 to win the NFC Championship, and +150 to win the NFC North as the current favorites.

For Pride of Detroit, we are tasked with fielding questions from Lions fans, and with the NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror, our question for this week’s survey is…

How would you grade the Lions’ 2026 NFL Draft?

Please vote in the survey below, share your feedback in the comments, and check back on Monday for the results.

Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Detroit Lions fans and fans across the country. If you want to get these surveys emailed to you weekly, you can sign up here.

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Detroit, MI

Potential Day 3 Detroit Lions targets: 10 players to consider

Published

16 hours ago

April 25, 2026

Press Room

Potential Day 3 Detroit Lions targets: 10 players to consider

The Detroit Lions addressed two of their greatest needs during the first two days of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller in the first round and Michigan edge defender Derrick Moore in the second.

“We’re all about building from the inside, out,” general manager Brad Holmes said Friday, April 24. “When you get the guys you love and they happen to play the trenches as well, that’s just a little bit of added bonus. We’ll definitely sleep good at night.”

When Holmes and the rest of the Lions’ executives wake up Saturday, they’ll have the opportunity to strengthen other sectors with their six remaining picks. Positions where they could seek reinforcements include safety, defensive tackle, tight end, running back and linebacker.

Here are 10 names to watch on Day 3:

Gracen Halton, Oklahoma DT

Halton was never a full-time starter at Oklahoma. But when he was on the field, he was a disruptive force. Last season, he produced 3½ sacks and 30 pressures – the second-highest total on the Sooners. He was also a reliable run stopper. He could conceivably fill the void left by Roy Lopez, a rotational interior lineman who rejoined the Arizona Cardinals in March.

Kaytron Allen, Penn State RB

Allen is a productive and powerful ball carrier who appeared in 54 games over his college career. During each of his last two seasons at Penn State, he rushed for more than 1,000 yards. He could fit well in new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s downhill running scheme. A bonus: He is durable.

Dallen Bentley, Utah TE

A natural athlete, Bentley emerged as a productive contributor for Kyle Whittingham during the new Michigan coach’s final year in Salt Lake City. A better receiver than blocker, Bentley caught 48 passes for 648 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. No drops in 76 targets last season offer proof that Bentley has reliable hands.

Keionte Scott, Miami CB/S

Scott’s age may be a turnoff, considering he will turn 25 in August. But his physical style and position flexibility could pique the Lions’ interest. Last season, Scott produced five sacks – the second-highest total by any defensive back in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Eli Heidenreich, Navy RB

The Lions like players with versatile skill sets. When they drafted Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023, they saw him more as an all-around talent than a traditional running back. While Heidenreich is not nearly as gifted as Gibbs, he fits a similar profile as an all-purpose player who functions well as a runner and pass-catcher.

Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh LB

Louis sparks intrigue because he operates like a defensive Swiss Army knife. He possesses the skills of a safety, which give him an edge at linebacker. With NFL teams employing more nickel formations, Louis could provide the Lions more flexibility to adjust their tactics. Widely projected as a Day 2 pick, Louis is still on the board.

Rayshaun Benny, Michigan DT

After the Lions traded up to draft Moore in the second round Friday, could the Lions take another member of Michigan’s 2025 defense this weekend? Benny could be one they target, given that he is a powerful player with a track record as a reliable run-stuffer. With Lopez and DJ Reader no longer on the roster, the Lions could use more beef on the interior and Benny – a Detroit native – could provide value as a solid depth piece.

Pat Coogan, Indiana, C

The Lions solidified the middle of their offensive line during free agency, signing Cade Mays. But it wouldn’t hurt to add more depth at center. Coogan could be a good option in the late rounds. While he is not the best athlete, he is cerebral and technically sound.

VJ Payne, Kansas State S

The 6-foot-3, 206-pound Payne, who was a team captain at Kansas State, has an intriguing physical profile that could interest the Lions. He would help buttress a position that is a bit of a question with starters Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (Achilles) working their way back from season-ending injuries in 2025.

Harold Perkins Jr., LSU LB

The Lions seek out players with elite athletic traits. Perkins has them. He also possesses positional versatility, having played as an inside linebacker and edge rusher. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, an LSU alum, could find creative ways to utilize Perkins’ skillset.

Contact Rainer Sabin at rsabin@freepress.com.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Tigers vs Cincinnati Reds – April 24, 2026 – Redleg Nation

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2026

Press Room

The Cincinnati Reds return home tonight after a 5-1 road trip. It’s Reds Hall of Fame induction weekend with events taking place every day of the series. Cincinnati is welcoming in the Detroit Tigers, who are on a 2-game winning streak. First pitch tonight is scheduled for 6:50pm ET.

Starting Lineups

Eugenio Suarez was initially in the lineup as the designated hitter. Just after 6pm he was scratched from the lineup with what the Reds are calling mid-back pain. Nathaniel Lowe is now the designated hitter.

Starting Pitchers

Andrew Abbott

It has been an uneven start to 2026 for the Reds left-handed All-Star pitcher. He was dominant in his first outing of the season, and he pitched well in Miami, but he’s struggled in each of his last two starts and wasn’t exactly good in his second start of the season, either. All told his ERA is nearly six and he has 11 walks with just 15 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched so far this season.

When it comes to the platoon splits – last season there wasn’t a big difference in how lefties or righties hit him. Teams didn’t send many left-handed hitters out to face him, so he was only facing the best lefties in the game while facing your every day right-handers. Righties did hit for a bit more power, but they didn’t hit for much power. This season, which isn’t listed below, lefties are CRUSHING him. They are hitting an absurd .478/.500/.609 against him in their 24 trips to the plate. Righties are hitting .266/.344/.367 against him, but also have 10 walks and just nine strikeouts – making tons of contact but not being able to do a ton with it thus far.

2025 Splits

Split	PA	H	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
RHH	510	110	19	1	17	34	109	.234	.287	.387
LHH	174	38	10	0	2	9	40	.236	.279	.335

Pitch Usage

	4-seam	Cutter	Curve	Slider	Change
Velo	92.6	86.8	79.4	81.5	85.8
Usage	51%	1%	12%	16%	21%

Framber Valdez

In four of his five starts this season Valdez has been outstanding and allowed zero or one earned run. But on April 8th the Minnesota Twins roughed him up for eight runs on 10 hits and two walks. The 2-time All-Star is an innings eater and has averaged 192.0 innings for each of the last four years – all which came with the Houston Astros.

Last season saw Valdez pitch much worse on the road where his ERA was 4.70 (compared to 2.58 at home). He struck out far fewer batters and gave up significantly more hits. When it comes to the platoon splits, Valdez has reverse splits – or at least did last season. Like Abbott, he was only facing the best lefties around and didn’t face many of them, but the ones he did face hit for a higher average, made more contact, and hit for more power.

2025 Splits

Split	PA	H	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
RHH	651	136	26	4	10	57	154	.234	.308	.344
LHH	151	35	7	0	5	11	33	.257	.309	.419

Pitch Usage

	2-seam	Curve	Slider	Change
Velo	94.3	79.0	86.1	89.7
Usage	49%	29%	2%	19%

When and Where

Game time: 6:40pm ET
Where: Great American Ball Park
Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market).
Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
Forecast: 75°, cloudy, 20% chance of rain

News and Notes

Keep an eye on the weather

While there’s not a big chance for rain at the start of the game there are spotty storms in the forecast as the evening progresses.

Jose Trevino officially begins a rehab assignment

This afternoon the Reds announced that Trevino would be joining the Dayton Dragons tonight on a rehab assignment. He hasn’t played since April 4th after having a thoracic spine strain.

Division Standings

Team	W	L	GB	Playoff Odds
Cincinnati	16	9	0.0	29.1%
Chicago	16	9	0.0	73.4%
St. Louis	14	10	1.5	12.1%
Pittsburgh	14	11	2.0	55.0%
Milwaukee	13	11	2.5	39.5%
*Playoff Odds via Fangraphs*