So after 105 pitches Tigers pull Skubal with a 1-0 lead, men on first and third, and two outs. Yes, I get pitch count and all, but he's got 11 Ks, clearly dialed in, and what do 3-5 more pitches matter? They bring in Holton, and a wild pitch ties the game.

Good point about the losing streak, too. Even worse when Skubal clearly wanted to stay in.

I happily concede that AJ Hinch is the best manager in baseball, and add that Chris Fetter (former student of mine) is the MLB's best pitching coach. And I don't think it's even close on both fronts. Doesn't mean I have to agree with every decision.

This.

Well, this is something different. This broke while Sam Webb and I were doing our Friday morning segment on The Michigan Insider. Plenty to discuss, but must be a major pay-out to justify dropping a home game.

The 50th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is Nov 10th. This book, which Hampton Sides calls "a work of spectral beauty destined to be a classic," tells the tale like never before. Preorder now, and you'll learn the rest of the story before the commemorations.

Great thanks. It was an honor to help tell John Saunders' story, and how he battled concussions, depression, and more. The audio is read by the great Dion Graham, of The Wire fame.

This is the kind of crazy-stupid decision modern ADs are becoming known for: take over a legendary program and screw around with its great traditions (Sloopy, in this case) for no good reason whatsoever. The clock on Mr. Bjork's tenure is now ticking.

Stop me if you've heard this before: Arrogant AD breaks beloved, long-standing traditions for no good reason. Ohio State's Bjork ends playing Sloopy to start 4th qtr, and orders victory bell rung BEFORE games. Bjork should rent, not buy, a home in CBus. scarletandgame.com/athletic-direc…

Two months from today pre-orders of The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald will arrive at local stores, B&N, amazon, and more. The book launches Oct 7 at UM's Rackham Auditorium followed by a 15-state, 30-stop book tour. Hope to sign your copy!

Great thanks, Armen Keteyian! From you, a connoisseur of such things, it means a lot.

🥓 on ⚾️🏈 —> On Michigan Public, John U. Bacon and I talked about the Tigers’ trade deadline moves, Michigan’s QB questions, and some surprising tradition changes at another Big Ten school. The fastest 5️⃣ minutes in public radio sports. Read or listen… michiganpublic.org/sports/2025-08…

Remember this like it was yesterday -- sadly. John Saunders' brother Bernie called me, too, as I was driving to Traverse City for a speech. Couldn't believe it. Sad for many reasons, of course, including his book coming out. John would've loved the response.

I think we were actually #1 for a while the past few days, but I'll take it. That is some very good company!

The NCAA's investigation into Michigan's "signgate," with penalties, goes public Friday. My guess, throughout, remains: -Fines. -Moore suspended 2-4 games. -Harbaugh and Stallions "show cause" -No wins vacated. But the NCAA can do whatever it likes, and often does.

I shared the stage recently with my good friend Don Yaeger, speaking about his book, "The New Science of Momentum," which clarifies how to leverage a much-discussed but little understood phenomenon. Highly recommended for coaches and leaders! amazon.com/New-Science-Mo…

Michigan punishment recap, with Pete Thamel * Fine of approximately $20 million tied to post season revenue * Program on four years of probation * Three game suspension of head coach Sherrone Moore (Game 3 and 4 of 2025 season, first game of 2026 season) * 10 year show cause

Michigan announces via a press release that it is appealing the NCAA’s COI because it “includes a number of conclusions that are directly contrary to the evidence – or lack of evidence – in the record.” Statements from Sherrone Moore, Warde Manuel and Michigan: