ESPN's Jason Whitlock writes that though beating up on Detroit is easy and sportswriters across the nation will be doing just that, Detroit is the best sports town in America, blowing away New York, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia. Crazy? Probably, but we'll take it!

All Star Madness
Detroit Tiger Catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez (representing Puerto Rico) finished second to Phillies slugger Bobby Abreu in last night's Home Run Derby. Fans are gearing up for tonight's All Star Game and first time visitors to the Motor City are apparently impressed.
Read Hitsville U.S.A. in the Detroit News (great photo gallery!)
Read Fans get into groove, praise city's welcome in the Freep

$2.38 per Gallon Gas Price Record Won't Stand Long
WZZM TV-13 Grand Rapids reports that gasoline prices across Michigan are higher than ever and are probably going to get worse because retail gasoline prices haven't kept up with recent increases at the wholesale level. According to AAA Michigan, gas stations are charging an average of 10.6 cents more than last week and 45.3 cents more than this time last year.

GOP Radio Ad Blasts Granholm for Job Loss
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Republican Party has launched a 60 second statewide radio ad called "State of Denial," that criticizes Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm for the number of jobs lost in the last 2 1/2 years. Democrats contend the ad is a response to charges that GOP candidate Dick DeVos moved jobs from Michigan to China when he was the president of direct sales giants Alticor and Amway.
Ad script, fact sheet and terribly unflattering photo from Michigan GOP

Archer to Head Granholm Campaign
The Lansing State Journal reports that although Gov. Jennifer Granholm has not officially announced her candidacy, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer will head her 2006 re-election campaign. Archer served on the Michigan Supreme Court from 1985-1990, was Detroit mayor for 8 year, served as the first black president of the American Bar Association and now is chairman of the Dickinson Wright PLLC law firm in Detroit.
Graholm for Governor web site

Throwing Shoes in St. Clair Shores
The Detroit Free Press has a feature on the 95 member St. Clair Shores Horseshoe Club. With several state and world champions on its rolls and a 12-court outdoor facility at Kyte Monroe Park, the club has seen its membership double over the past 15 years.
Pitchhorseshoes.com - a great reource for Michigan Horshoe Information

Read More (external link) »