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June 9, 2005It's time to say 'thanks' to Chris and JuanByRecord-Eagle staff writer Chris Webber and Juan Gonzalez aren't the most popular sports figures in the state, but if you're a Detroit Pistons or Tigers fan, you owe them a big "thank you." Webber, a once-proud member of the University of Michigan's "Fab Five," has earned the wrath of fans through a series of bone-headed mistakes, dubious off-court dealings and laughable quotes. He is also a shell of the player he once was. Four years ago, in July of 2001, Webber did the Pistons a favor by turning down their free agent offer (in the $15-20 million-a-year range) to remain in Sacramento. Of course, Webber didn't stay there. He was traded to Philadelphia in February, and the Pistons mowed down the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. Imagine what might have happened - or worse, what wouldn't have happened - if Webber had joined the Pistons. After Webber's rejection, Pistons president Joe Dumars began to build a team around a nucleus of good players instead of one superstar. And the rest, as they say, is history. Thanks, Chris. As for Juan Gone and the Tigers, his refusal to accept a fat 8-year, $140 million contact to remain in Detroit during the summer of 2000 was the best thing that could have happened to the Tigers. If he had said "yes," they would still be paying him close to $20 million a season, long after he became the punch line in a joke about hang nails and hamstrings and "flu-like symptoms." Sadly, for Gonzalez, truth is stranger than fiction. Last week, the Cleveland Indians placed Gonzalez on the disabled after he suffered a leg injury while running to first base. It was Gonzalez's first at-bat of the season after being on the DL since spring training. So, I beg you, Tiger fans. The next time Juan Gonzalez steps to the plate at Comerica Park - if it ever happens - don't boo him. The guy did us all a favor. A standing ovation is more appropriate. - A tip of the cap to Traverse City's Jason Cairns, who may be the first-ever TC player to be selected in the Major League Baseball draft. Cairns, a pitcher who was chosen in the eighth round by the St. Louis Cardinals, is one of 24 TC Central players who have gone on to play college baseball in the last eight years. That's a feather in the cap of Trojans coach Ian Hearn, and he is thrilled that Cairns was selected so high in the draft. But Hearn will never hear the end of it if Cairns makes it big. Hearn is scout for the Baltimore Orioles. - If you don't believe that the Tigers think they've turned a corner in the pitching department, note that their first selection in Tuesday's MLB draft was an outfielder - a high school outfielder. Cameron Maybin, who turned 18 in April, is only the third position player to be selected first by Detroit in the past 12 years. The Tigers have made a habit of drafting college pitchers at No. 1, so selecting Maybin not only says something about his five-tool talent, it makes statement about the pitching prospects already in Detroit's farm system.
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