SPORTS COLUMNIST PETER JAKEY: Tigers staving off dubious record
Staving off dubious record It?s a tough time to be a Detroit Tiger fan. With five games left this season (as of Wednesday), the Tigers needed to win four of their next five games to stave off a 120-loss season. If they lose two more games, they?ll tie the 1962 Mets as one of the worst teams of all times. Looking at the worst records of all time, only two teams had more losses in the more than 100 years professional baseball has been played in this country: the Mets and the Cleveland Spiders of 1899, with 134 losses.
If the Tigers lose three games before Sunday and move past the Mets and you hear a sports announcer or a newscaster say Detroit has the worst record of all time, that?s not entirely accurate because of the Spiders? 134-loss season. If they say it?s the worst modern big league record, that would be a little closer to the truth. I was thinking of reliving the glory days of 1984, but I remember I taped the championship games on Beta Max tapes, so, like the Tigers, I?m out of luck.
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IT?S THE SENIOR season of linebacker-tackle Russ Kamyszek. The Vikings? captain has been part of an amazing run with Posen, which continued on Friday against Au Gres, as the Vikes earned their 16th consecutive regular season win. Kamyszek had 11 tackles in Friday?s contest, and I?ll give him some defensive stars later in the column, but he also provided blocking on the right side of the line for Posen?s final touchdown against Au Gres. Kamyszek was rooting on the Viking girls? basketball team Tuesday, when I provided him the list of this week?s profile questions:
Kamyszek?s favorite movie: James Bond. Favorite book: Clifford the Big Red Dog. Favorite TV show: Price is Right. Favorite cartoon: Bugs Bunny. Favorite superhero: Superman. Favorite comedian: Jack Black. Favorite actor: Mike Meyers. Nickname: Rosco. Favorite ice cream: Superman. Person you would like to have dinner with: Michael Jordan. Favorite sport as a kid: football. Favorite cereal: Captain Crunch. Biggest influence on your life: Dad. Hobby: Hunting. Favorite beverage: Coke. Biggest fear: Getting lost in Posen.
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IT WAS DETERMINED at Monday?s Huron Sports Boosters meeting that the 25-yard field goal contest at halftime was a little bit too far so they?ll move the ball up to the 20 for the next home game. Nobody won either of the top prizes of a $100 gift certificate from Glen?s Market or a $100 savings bond from Huron National Bank. One of the kickers booted the ball only about five yards. The fundraiser didn?t bring in as much money as the boosters had expected, so they decided to scrap the rule that the person who has the ticket has to kick the field goal.
The boosters also found themselves fighting for time on the field during halftime and realize they need to get it finished quicker. The band played at halftime, and when they were through, the players were coming out of the locker room, so the contest will probably be moved to the other side of the field. Posters also will be made for the next home game against Rudyard October 3 to promote the contest/fundraiser. One other note: the boosters have decided to provide a food booth for next year?s Rogers City Salmon Tournament.
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CAN THE Posen defense make it three shutouts in four weeks when they host Arenac Eastern Friday? If they do they?ll earn four defensive stars as they have this week for their performance against Au Gres. Tops in tackles was Ron Kroll for the second week in a row. He had 13 tackles and ea
Josh Krajniak had eight tackles, while Matt Ponik had seven tackles and an interception, both good for three stars apiece. James Sobek had a fumble recovery and earns two stars. For Rogers City, Dustin Streich was the top defensive player of the week, earning four stars and the Stemcook. Also posting double-digit tackle numbers were Randy Brege (11) and Judd Vekaryasz (11). Both earned four stars.
Kyle Greene had three tackles, an interception, and a fumble, while Tim Cercone had six tackles and an interception. Both earn three stars apiece for their efforts against a talented and highly-ranked Saints squad.