Gene Lamont probably got a bad rep over the years and I tried to defend him a few times over the last couple seasons. Well, Tom Brookens has been third base coach for the Tigers all of 18.5 games and he has already screwed up royally at least twice.

Unfortunately, both times has involved ill-advisedly sending Victor Martinez. V-Mart is 34 and is coming off missing a season due to knee surgery. He's no spring chicken, so let's try not to push the envelope with him, okay?

On Wednesday night, Mr. Brookens did that and to boot, it was against Jeff Francoeur's arm, which would require a license in some states. It resulted in the easiest 9-2 assist I've seen in a long time: 

Brookens isn't the only person to screw up here, though. As the video shows, Fielder should've grabbed the bat that was resting dangerously on the baseline and then should've given more than a half-ass signal for V-Mart to get down. V-Mart wasn't getting down and definitely wasn't going to slide straight into the catcher. V-Mart ultimately took the best route, which was veering right and straight to the dugout, safe and sound. 

Barry Sanders won the Madden 25 (1989-2014) cover vote on ESPN and will grace the game's cover. 

Here is the cover! Congratulations, @barrysanders! twitter.com/DetroitLionsNF…

— Detroit Lions (@DetroitLionsNFL) April 25, 2013

The Lions are back-to-back Madden cover champs! In addition to Justin Verlander being on MLB2k13 and Denard Robinson and Barry Sanders on NCAA2k, it's a pretty good time to be a Michigan sports fan.

The Madden 2014 cover vote for the 25th anniversary edition has ended, the votes are being counted, but the best running back to ever play the game of football received a ringing endorsement from arguably golf's best golfer before it was all said and done: 

I’m voting for @barrysanders for the Madden 25 cover #Madden25Barry es.pn/13jszbX

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 24, 2013

The winner is being revealed right now on ESPN2. We'll update as soon as it's announced.

UPDATE: Barry won. Was there ever a doubt? 

Jason Hanson, former Lions kicker and future Hall of Famer, has quite an arm. After spending 21 years in the NFL, maybe Hanson has a future closing for the Tigers throwing respectable batting practice:

Watch former #Lions kicker Jason Hanson throw out today's ceremonial first pitch.yfrog.com/31bf3hbeozurga…

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 24, 2013

Let's not relive old bad memories, but Prince Fielder hit a home run this past weekend and someone slowed it down for us to touch ourselves to. Seriously, this is like softcore porn:  

Arousing.

In what has become a tradition every two or three years, the Pistons are looking for a head coach. The organization realizes this carousel is not a fun ride and it needs to bring in someone who is going to bring a change in culture (read: winning) and some stability.

Or, at the very least, somebody with a name that most of the fans will not be able to pronounce before he's fired in 2-3 years. 

That man is Zeljko Obradovic, who as far as we know has no relation to former Piston Zeljko Rebraca. But he is related to Gregg Popovich, kind of. The two are apparently buddies and Popovich learned from Obradovic -- and not the other way around. Obradovic is known as the European Phil Jackson, which means he could win a lot of rings and say some offensive things along the way, and the Pistons are reportedly interested. 

Just tell me where to sign, bud.

H/T Detroit Bad Boys

The Red Wings won an enormous game on Monday night against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Joe, 4-0. Pavel Datsyuk recapped the game on Twitter and then responded to himself with further analysis: 

Great game! Z was huge for us this evening!!!

— Pavel Datsyuk (@Datsyuk13) April 23, 2013

@datsyuk13 Jimmy was huge for us too! Congrats on another stellar night!

— Pavel Datsyuk (@Datsyuk13) April 23, 2013

The win gives the Red Wings 50 points and puts them AHHH point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild for the No. 8 and No. 7 spots in the Western Conference. The Blue Jackets have played one more game than both the Wings and Wild, though.

The Red Wings' remaining three games are against the reigning NHL champs and Nashville Predators at home and the Dallas Stars on the road. Wins are crucial and Jimmy Howard's back needs to continue to be strong. 

I saw Bill Simmons spit his words live and immediately thought, someone will GIF this and I will link it. 

Here it is: 

Thanks, Deadspin.

Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores has reportedly informed Lawrence Frank that his services will no longer be needed: He has been fired, according to a tweet by ESPN's Marc Stein. 

Story going online now: Pistons have notified Lawrence Frank that won't be retained as coach. Link on way momentarily

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 18, 2013

Tom Gores had unreasonably high expectations for the Pistons this year (playoffs!? playoffs!?) and when the team finished the season 29-53, worse than last year, someone had to take the fall. Talk of firing Frank started after the Pistons started 0-8 this season and with the way the Pistons played in March, he didn't really stand a chance. 

No speculation as to who the next coach might be, but he will cost Gores an additional $4 million, as that's how much Frank is owed for next season. 

Goodbye our little Frank.

Clinging to the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference playoff picture and a 21-year playoff streak, the Red Wings could've used a win against the not-very-good Calgary Flames on the road. Instead, they gave away two brutal goals and lost 3-2. 

At 47 points, the Wings are still holding on to the No. 8 spot due to having the tie breaker over the Columbus Blue Jackets, also at 47 points. However, the Blue Jackets are playing right now and are tied 2-2 in the third period. 

UPDATE: Columbus beat the Ducks in overtime, 3-2, picking up two points and moving ahead of the Wings in the Western Conference. The Blue Jackets have played one more game than the Red Wings, though. 

GIFs, if you couldn't tell, are via SB Nation