Detroit Sports: Top 4 Reasons Detroit Is the Greatest Sports Town

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In my eyes, there is absolutely no debate. 

While many critics judge the city with outside eyes, it is a place where some amazing sports memories have been made.  The fans' love for their teams is unmatched anywhere in the nation.  There are only 12 cities in the entire nation that have a team in all four major professional sports (NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL), and Detroit is one of them. There is a definite reason for this.

Here are the top four reasons why there is no place better than Detroit in professional sports. 

4. Detroit Pistons: Deeeeeeeetroit Basketball!

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Even though most people outside of Detroit cannot stand to hear Pistons' PA announcer John Mason scream, "Deeetroit Basketball," it will always hold a special place in every true Detroit sports fan.

While the past couple years have been rough for the Pistons, there is no arguing their place in NBA history. 

From 2002-2008, they went to the Eastern Conference Finals 6 times in a row and the NBA Finals twice, earning their third NBA Championship in 2004.  This was all done with a group of players who stayed together, were unheard of before they arrived in Detroit and carried with them a blue collar work ethic. 

Let's not forget the Pistons from the late 80s and early 90s.  The "Bad Boys," as they came to be known, took Detroit by storm.  While they were hated in America, they were loved in the D.  They played hard, and they played to win.  They left everything they had on the court.  That is why they won and that is why Detroit loved them. 

The Pistons may be in rebuilding mode, but there is no doubt that fans still love the red and blue.  A new owner, a new coach, but the same blue collar work ethic will propel this young Pistons' team to the top of the NBA once again. 

3. Detroit Lions: You Gotta Have Faith!

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You know it's bad when total strangers apologize to you ahead of time after noticing that's a Detroit Lions t-shirt you're sporting.

The Lions have not been to the playoffs since 1999.  They have not played a Monday Night Football game at Ford Field ever, until this year.  So you may be wondering why they are on a list highlighting the main reasons why Detroit is the greatest sports town.

The answer is simple.  The Detroit Lions have always brought their fans one thing...hope.  There is always a contagious, energetic excitement that has surrounded the Lions.  Fans get excited to hear about rumors, training camps, injuries, etc.  In a time where Detroit has struggled mightily these past few years, the Lions have provided fans with an escape. 

It is not as if they lost every game by an immense amount of points. Many of their losses over the past 10 years have been very close games.

Fortunately for all Detroit fans, the light at the end of the tunnel is coming.  The Detroit Lions are about to become a legitimate force in the NFL. 

That Monday Night Football game in Detroit this season will show the nation why the Lions belong on this list.

2. Detroit Red Wings: Hockeytown USA

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Over the past 15 years, who has won the Stanley Cup more than Detroit?  No one!  The Wings have hoisted Lord Stanley in 96-97, 97-98, 01-02, and 07-08. 

They are perhaps one of the greatest sports franchises in all professional sports because of their commitment to excellence and their willingness to always put great players on the ice, night in and night out. 

They have made the postseason for 20 straight seasons!  That is the longest active streak in ANY professional sport.  In a time of trades and free agency, this is an amazing feat.

What makes Detroit a place where hockey can thrive is the fact that everybody goes to Red Wings games.  People love the atmosphere, they love the players and they love Joe Louis Arena. 

There is no doubt the octopus will be thrown onto the ice at the Joe for many, many years to come. 

1. Detroit Tigers: The Old English D Thrives

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Detroit has truly loved the Tigers ever since I can remember.  What is amazing is that the love continues from generation to generation. 

Some people remember the days Al Kaline patrolled Tiger Stadium back in the 50s and 60s.

Some remember the days that Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker were turning double plays back in the 80s and early 90s to the tune of Ernie Harwell quipping, "That's two for the price of one for the Tigers." 

We all remember the amazing 2006 season and Magglio Ordonez's game-winning homer in Game 4 of the ALCS against Oakland.  What a great moment after years of being the laughing stock of Major League Baseball.

No matter the record or the players, the Old English D can be seen everywhere, on everybody and everything.  The D not only symbolizes the Detroit Tigers, but it stands for every great memory the Tigers have given to the fans.  It stands for the true passion that every fan really has for the city of Detroit.

While many other sports fans wear a symbol of their favorite team because it looks cool, Detroit sports fans wear the D because it represents something of which they are proud.

You would be hard-pressed to find a more recognizable logo than the Old English D anywhere in America.