Once again The D is awesome

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

DETROIT --- Hockeytown, Motor City, The D, Motown. The city of Detroit goes by many names and now, after being voted by USA Today readers, can call itself America's Best Sports City.

That title came as no surprise to Red Wings forward Daniel Cleary.

"Where I've played there's no comparison, quite frankly," he said. "Looking throughout the country, there's a lot of cool, great sports towns. You know Boston is a great sports town, so is Chicago. ... Detroit is just an awesome sports town. Sports a lot of times are uplifting too, especially when they do well. In particular, the Red Wings have been pretty stable for a number of years, a lot of history here. The Tigers, a lot of history too and go back to the Pistons in the 80s and then the Lions, football is always going to be huge. I just think the fans are just diehards."

Cleary spent the early years of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers and Phoenix Coyotes before landing in Detroit in 2005, a place that he still calls home today.

"I just love the people of Detroit," he said. "It's a great place to live. I know we've had our struggles in the city of Detroit and things like that but the fans and how they treat the players and how passionate they are, you can't beat it. I'm glad we're No. 1."

As one of 12 cities in the U.S. to claim a professional team in each of the four major sports, the Wings, Lions, Tigers and Pistons fan bases that come out in droves to support their teams.

One of the newcomers to the Wings' locker room, center Stephen Weiss came from the Florida Panthers through free agency before the 2013-14 season. He said support from the fans has been overwhelming.

"Not only at the games but in and around the community you'll have people come up to you and say things," Weiss said. "I had a note left on my car at the mall the other day from someone just saying, 'Hang in there' and that was pretty cool. My wife and I thought that was awesome. You know, even when we do autograph night we sign for two and a half, three hours straight. It's pretty cool."

Weiss spent 11 seasons with the Panthers but said nothing he has ever experienced can compare to his short time spent here in Detroit.

"Well it's the history, it's an Original Six," he said. "When you have that type of history, fans grow to love your team and your players and especially with this team. You have players that have been here for so long, you become attached to them. They grow the young guys and keep them for a long time, it's easy for fans to become attached to players. In Florida, it was not like that with players coming in and out and tough for fans to really latch on to guys, so those are some of the differences right off the bat."

A history of success and tradition is not limited to the Wings' four Stanley Cups since 1997 and 23 consecutive playoff appearances, but also the Tigers' four straight American League Central Division championships from 2011-14, the Pistons' NBA title in 2004 followed up by a return trip to the NBA Finals in 2005, and the Lions' recent accomplishments, the title as America's No. 1 sports city is well deserved.

"We did get Hockeytown for a reason," defenseman Kyle Quincey said. "Our fans are obviously one of the better American fans in the league. Definitely, this organization is top notch all the way around so in regards to that, I agree."

Detroit was ranked at the top of USA Today's Top 10 sports cities, beating out Indianapolis, Dallas, Chicago, Green Bay, Boston, Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Oakland.

The list was compiled from votes during a reader's choice contest.

[Wheelchairsuperhero 1,453]

That short bit about Weiss saying someone left a note on his car is extremely cool to me. I felt pretty bad for the guy, not being able to play the game he loves for so long and probably getting a lot of flak to boot.

Anyway cool for Detroit. It's nice to know that we're not the only ones who think we're a sweet sports city!

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I have no idea why Green Bay would be considered to be a great sports city.

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

I have no idea why Green Bay would be considered to be a great sports city.

The people own the team. Imagine owning a share of the wings and all there history.

Always liked Weiss since before the NHL. He's gotta alot of flack during his injuries with the wings. Little things like that go along way.

[number9 3,297]

I'd say Boston and Detroit are the greatest sports cities. Both cities have all 4 major NA sports, with no extra teams so the city isn't divided like in NYC or LA. Both hockey teams are original six to boot. Only knock on Detroit is the Lions and the city itself.

[WingsallTheway 383]

At first I thought this thread was going to be about our defence being awesome, I was going to lose it lol

[Yzerfan87 146]

I'd say Boston and Detroit are the greatest sports cities. Both cities have all 4 major NA sports, with no extra teams so the city isn't divided like in NYC or LA. Both hockey teams are original six to boot. Only knock on Detroit is the Lions and the city itself.

Just to play devil's advocate here, why not Chicago then? Blackhawks are O6, bears were one of the first NFL teams, then had the greatest basketball player ever on the Bulls and two baseball teams with a lot of history.

Edited December 5, 2014 by Yzerfan87

[Mckinley25 679]

I have no idea why Green Bay would be considered to be a great sports city.

There's a waiting list like 30 years long for season tickets, they're Packer crazy over there. On a side note, I think Green Bay is a wonderful town.

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

Just to play devil's advocate here, why not Chicago then? Blackhawks are O6, bears were one of the first NFL teams, then had the greatest basketball player ever on the Bulls and two baseball teams with a lot of history.

I'm sorry did you say something about Chicago? Lol.

And for those that don't like the city of Detroit. Ya it has managerial issues. But has come a long way.

It's not Flint.

[gcom007 1,465]

That short bit about Weiss saying someone left a note on his car is extremely cool to me. I felt pretty bad for the guy, not being able to play the game he loves for so long and probably getting a lot of flak to boot.

Anyway cool for Detroit. It's nice to know that we're not the only ones who think we're a sweet sports city!

Loved that, and I love that he's getting back into the swing of things.

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

Love it.

Love the city of Detroit (f*** the haters), love our teams, and love that there is current recognition for something positive. The city will survive, the people will keep on keepin' on, and we'll still be more boss than anyone else, because Detroit does, indeed, hustle harder.

*Lil Jon voice*

TURN DOWN FOR WHAT

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I lived in Detroit for the kwame years...

It wasn't that bad.

[number9 3,297]

Just to play devil's advocate here, why not Chicago then? Blackhawks are O6, bears were one of the first NFL teams, then had the greatest basketball player ever on the Bulls and two baseball teams with a lot of history.

Problem being they have TWO baseball teams. Like I originally pointed out, Detroit and Boston have all 4 major teams with no duplicates. Thought I made that clear. I would hate it if Detroit had two hockey teams.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

,nm

Edited December 6, 2014 by jimmyemeryhunter

[Dabura 12,232]

[Barrie 900]

There's no doubt Detroit is #1. I was at Price's first start in Detroit in mid August, there was 43,000 people at the Tigers game on a Saturday night, largest crowd since opening day, it doesn't get any better than that.

I compare that to a Blue Jays game (I live outside Toronto) I was watching in mid-June. A Friday night they were lucky if they had 20,000. I was thinking, "Get to the ball park you idiots!"