Undrafted Pistons Veteran Ben Wallace Ties NBA Record For Games Played

On Tuesday, Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace will step on the court court for the 1,055th time in his illustrious career. And when he does, the longtime defensive stopper will officially etch his name in the NBA record book as the single most experienced undrafted player in league history.

Wallace tied Avery Johnson's mark of 1,054 games in Detroit's lopsided loss to Washington yesterday, and now has a chance to put a little bit of distance between himself the former point guard, who currently roams the sideline as coach of the New Jersey Nets, over the remainder of the season.

It's a testament to Wallace's work ethic and determination that he's been able to stay healthy and playing at such a high level for so long, and further demonstrates how a player of this caliber can sometimes slip through the cracks on draft night. With so many Pistons fans already looking to the 2012 NBA Draft to take their minds off the current squad, Wallace's achievement is a clear-cut reminder that supremely-talented players are still available outside of the top 60 if you look hard enough.

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by Dave Ryan • Feb 13, 2012 10:22 AM EST

Tigers Outfielder Andy Dirks Is A Fan Favorite In The Dominican

Detroit fans know him as a promising youngster with an abnormally-large neck, but Detroit outfielder Andy Dirks is currently viewed through a vastly different lens by baseball fans in the Dominican Republic. After collecting a pair of game-winning hits during his Leones del Escogido team's eventual path to the Caribbean Series Championship earlier this week, Dirks' transition to "Ondy-der", a clutch-hitting, fun-loving speedster, became complete.

Mobbed by fans for autographs and pictures like you'd expect to see with a famous pop star, Dirks has quite literally become a cult hero in a country where baseball players are often seen as larger than life individuals. Despite the language barrier, his humble nature and obvious team attitude has endeared him to locals.

"Andy Dirks could run for president right now," said Gary Ruby, pitching coach for Leones del Escogido.

By the time Dirks is back in a Tigers' uniform, he will not only be fresh from having a bevy of winter baseball under his belt, but he'll have more confidence and more fan support than he ever could have imagined.

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by Dave Ryan • Feb 8, 2012 4:22 PM EST

Former Michigan State LB Greg Jones Wins Super Bowl, Gets Engaged

New York Giants linebacker Greg Jones, who played college football at Michigan State, had quite the Super Bowl Sunday. His Giants beat the New England Patriots 21-17 to win Super Bowl 46, and after the game Jones proposed to his girlfriend, former Michigan State basketball player Mandy Piechowski. She said yes in a very emotional and surprising moment.

"We had talked about wanting to get married next year possibly but in terms of this happening last night, no not at all. I didn't know he had a ring."

Jones got down on one knee on the field and said, "Amanda Piechowski, will you spend the rest of your life with me?"

Jones had teammate Christian Hopkins, a member of the Giants practice squad, hang on to the ring during the game. After it was over, Jones got the ring and got down on one knee to propose on a confetti-filled field. It sounds like it was a perfect moment, especially because Jones will be getting a ring of his own for winning the Super Bowl.

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by Sean Yuille • Feb 6, 2012 3:58 PM EST

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Chrysler, Clint Eastwood Pay Ode To Detroit (VIDEO)

In 2011, the general consensus was that Chrysler had the best Super Bowl commercial. It didn't feature animals, jokes or explosions, but that was the point. The commercial, which featured Eminem, highlighted the resilience of Detroit. It took on a very serious tone and introduced the phrase "Imported From Detroit" into popular culture.

This year, Chrysler followed up that commercial with another one that had a powerful message. This year's Chrysler Super Bowl commercial featured Clint Eastwood and discussed how "it's halftime in America" and it's time to fight back. In the ad, Eastwood talked about how Detroit knows "a little something about this" and how Detroit is "showing us it can be done."

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by Sean Yuille • Feb 6, 2012 8:22 AM EST