On Wednesday in Detroit, the Pistons moved within two losses of the worst season in franchise history. On Thursday, the Red Wings matched the worst playoff drought in franchise history, after the Tigers reminded us they have the worst playoff drought in the majors. Three proud franchises, with 122 combined playoff appearances, 55 division titles and 18 championships, stumbling through the dark. Maybe the Lions can save us.
No, seriously, maybe they can. The team that hasn't won its division in 30 years is favored to win it in 2023. "So we got that going for us, which is nice." Otherwise, the empty seasons just keep piling up. The Tigers have missed the playoffs for eight straight years, the Red Wings for seven straight years, the Lions for six straight years and the Pistons for four straight years. Owners and GM's continue to preach patience.
If you're keeping score at home, Detroit is now responsible for the:
- Longest playoff drought in MLB, tied with the Angels
- Second longest playoff drought in the NHL (Sabres, 11 years)
- Second longest longest playoff drought in the NBA, tied with the Spurs (Hornets, seven years)
- Third longest playoff drought in the NFL (Jets, 11 years; Broncos, seven)
If you're still keeping score -- you can stop now -- that makes Detroit the only U.S. city with an active playoff drought in each of the four major professional sports.
In some ways, it gets even worse. The last time the Tigers made the playoffs, they were kicked to the curb with one of the greatest rotations and one of the greatest hitters of all time. They haven't won a playoff game since 2013, when Riley Greene was in middle school.
The last time the Pistons made the playoffs, they were run out of the gym by the Bucks. The time before that, they were run out of the gym by the Cavs -- and the time before that. They haven't won a playoff game since 2008, when Cade Cunningham was six years old.
The last time the Red Wings made the playoffs, they went with a whimper against the Lightning. They haven't won a playoff series since 2013, when Lucas Raymond was 11 years old.
The Lions haven't won a playoff game since 1991, before all but two players on their current roster were born. Dan Campbell was in high school.
On Thursday at Comerica Park, the Tigers welcomed another Opening Day in Detroit. The sun shined on a sold-out crowd, which roared its loudest when Miguel Cabrera joined Nicklas Lidstrom, Ben Wallace and Calvin Johnson on the field for the ceremonial first pitches. It warmed the heart, in the heart of Detroit, four legends standing side by side. It also sort of twisted the knife: It's been this long since we were relevant.
It's quite remarkable, this playoff famine, especially for a city that has feasted in the past. The 11-time champion Red Wings turned an impossible playoff streak into an impassable drought. The four-time champion Tigers pivoted from ripping off division titles to ripping apart their roster. The three-time champion Pistons went from bullies to bullied. Meanwhile, the Lions just continued to exist.
As much as the future feels bright, contingencies cling to the three ongoing rebuilds: if the Red Wings' prospects pan out, if the Pistons strike it rich in the draft, if the Tigers ever find their way. Hope sells, but increasingly at the cost of happiness. As we grow numb to losing, the team with the second most losses in NFL history is our best shot at a winner. Here's to the Lions showing us the light.
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