For Detroit sports fans, the scars of a nuclear winter are fresh. Two years ago, the Tigers were lost in the longest playoff drought in MLB, the Red Wings and Pistons were stuck in the second longest droughts in the NHL and NBA, and the Lions were stumbling through the third longest in the NFL. The fans here had gone 28 combined seasons without seeing a playoff win. A proud sports town was pained, if it wasn't numb.
Now?
"I love where Detroit sports is at," A.J. Hinch said Tuesday. "It's a blast being a part of a number of teams who are bringing thrilling sports moments to the city. This city deserves it."
Hinch's Tigers stormed onto the scene last fall with a stunning run to October, and have picked up this spring where they left off. The Pistons are barging through the door as we speak, their first playoff victory in 17 years the latest milestone in one of the best turnarounds in NBA history. The Wings have been knocking on the door for a couple years. (You can come in now!) And the Lions kicked the door down when they won their first of two consecutive NFC North titles in 2023.
When the Lions nearly crashed the Super Bowl that season, the Red Wings were living and dying with each game. When the Tigers chased down one of the most improbable playoff berths in MLB history last year, the Lions were pulling for them every step of the way. And now that the Pistons have joined the party -- just as Cade Cunningham said they would -- the Tigers are fully behind them.
The Pistons' first-round playoff series with the Knicks continues Thursday night across the street from Comerica Park, and several Tigers will be in attendance on their off day.
"We quickly become Lions fans and Pistons fans and Wings fans when we join the city, and I love that our players are all in on it," said Hinch. "They're all making plans to go on Thursday. We'll have a strong contingency there, I'm going to be there, because when you're all-in on the city, these moments matter. These moments are remembered by fans and by players and these experiences stand out, specifically here in Detroit, because of how cool of a sports town this is.”
Hinch used to talk theoretically about the playoffs in Detroit, specifically for the Tigers. He'd pass on stories he heard from players like Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander. Before the start of spring training last season, he praised the Lions, in particular Dan Campbell for "what he’s doing for our city."
"They’re building something special across the street from us," Hinch said, "and we’re certainly going to try to match that energy."
The Tigers eventually made good on Hinch's word, and now the Pistons are living up to Cunningham's. As the Tigers were charging toward the playoffs last September and the Pistons were trying to rebound from the worst season in franchise history, Cunningham said he'd been watching the Tigers' run and the way it lit up the city.
"That’s how we want to be, seeing the Lions do the same thing," Cunningham said. "Everybody in Detroit is doing that, so I believe we’re next. Only the best is to come."
Then he delivered an MVP-caliber season. He will lead the Pistons into Game 3 Thursday night, coming off a superstar's performance in Detroit's Game 2 win. The Pistons have wrested home-court advantage from the Knicks and are already talking about the raucous environment that awaits them at Little Caesars Arena: "We’re ready to get back to the crib," said Cunningham.
Hinch and the Tigers will be there waiting.
"I've seen it now firsthand because we played in playoff games," said Hinch. "But I feel it in the winter during the Lions season. I feel it during the Wings season. I'm feeling it during this Pistons run, and I’m pretty proud to be part of the fabric of this city on the sports side."