Titles by Detroit Free Press

<i>Blue Reign!</i>&nbsp;chronicles the Michigan Wolverines&rsquo; dominant run to their first national championship in 26 years and the 12th in their storied history. This commemorative book showcases stunning action photography, memorable stories and in-depth analysis from the Detroit Free Press and its award-winning writers, including Mitch Albom, Shawn Windsor, Rainer Sabin and Tony Garcia.<br /><br />In a season defined by the mantra &quot;Michigan vs. Everybody,&quot; Jim Harbaugh&#39;s squad proved they were capable of conquering any obstacle in their path.<br /><br />As the Wolverines vanquished opponents by three, four, five or more touchdowns, Michigan captured its 1,000th victory in 144 years of playing football. That was but one highlight in a campaign filled with memorable plays and players, from J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum and Roman Wilson on offense to Mike Sainristil, Junior Colson and Mason Graham on defense.<br /><br />The perfect souvenir for any Michigan fan,&nbsp;<i>Blue Reign!</i>&nbsp;also features the shutout in East Lansing, an assistant coach&rsquo;s lovingly profane, on-the-field interview at Happy Valley, a third straight victory over the Buckeyes and the overtime thriller against Alabama.

<div><p>“Mr. Tiger” Al Kaline was the most distinguished Detroit Tiger of them all, combining on-field excellence, acclaim and awards with off-field class, humility and generosity. Kaline made such an impact that his passing at 85 on April 6, 2020, saddened not just Tigers fans throughout the region but baseball fans everywhere, who watched with admiration and respect during Kaline’s storybook 22-year Hall of Fame career.</p><p><em>Mr. Tiger: The Legend of Al Kaline, Detroit’s Own </em>is a celebration of Kaline’s distinguished and incomparable run as a Tiger, from his fresh-faced major-league debut at 18 years old and his historic American League batting title at only 20, to his memorable 3,000th hit in the stretch run of the final season of his epic career. Through memorable stories and striking photography from the Detroit Free Press, this commemorative book is the definitive account of Kaline’s 18 All-Star selections, 10 Gold Gloves and, most memorably, his huge contribution to the Tigers’ unforgettable 1968 World Series championship.</p><p>Fans will celebrate Al Kaline’s legacy for generations to come and Mr. Tiger is the perfect keepsake to preserve those memories and relive them one incredible moment at a time.</p></div>

<div>In December 1979, a Detroit tradition began when the Red Wings took the ice for the first time at their new riverfront home, Joe Louis Arena. Named after former heavyweight champion boxer Joe Louis, the stadium that became affectionately known as “The Joe” saw the renaissance of the Red Wings franchise, including four Stanley Cup championship seasons and a 25-year run of advancing to the playoffs. <em>The Joe: Memories from the Heart of Hockeytown</em> takes a look back at the storied history of Joe Louis Arena in this, its final year. The arena has witnessed many stories, recounted with admiration in The Joe. Red Wings greats from Gordie Howe to Steve Yzerman to Nicklas Lidstrom skated on The Joe’s storied ice, and time-honored rivalries, such as those between the Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche, were played out in dramatic fashion. The stadium has spawned such personalities as Al the Zamboni driver, who twirls octopuses overhead, the Knitting Lady, the Guy in the Orange Hat, and Mo Cheese. The Joe also hosted a number of unforgettable non-hockey events, from Ronald Reagan’s nomination at the 1980 Republican convention, to the start of Prince’s Purple Rain tour in 1984, to N.W.A.’s controversial concert in 1989, to Bob Seger joining Kid Rock on stage during Super Bowl week in 2006. <em>The Joe</em> offers a comprehensive tribute in words and pictures to hockey’s last old-time arena. Learn about the history of the Red Wings and The Joe and the unforgettable games played there, as well as a number of key events in Detroit’s history. For anyone who has cheered on the Red Wings over the past three-plus decades, this book is not to be missed.</div>

<div>Michigan will never forget Gordie Howe’s presence on and off the ice — he combined skill, savvy, strength, meanness and longevity like no other hockey player. Known to generations of fans as Mr. Hockey, Howe passed away on June 10, 2016 at the age of 88. The Detroit Red Wings legend’s career spanned from 1946 to 1980, including 25 seasons with the Red Wings. A 23-time NHL All-Star, Howe led the Red Wings to four Stanley Cups, won six Hart Trophies as the league’s most valuable player and won six Art Ross Trophies as the NHL’s top scorer. When he retired in 1980, he held the NHL records for regular-season goals (801), assists (1,049), points (1,850). In this tribute to the legendary Red Wing that features nearly 100 images, the <em>Detroit Free Pres</em>s reflects on Howe’s life in 128 pages of historic photos and defining stories about Mr. Hockey.</div>

The defending American League champions and favorites to repeat in 2013, the Detroit Tigers are forging a dynasty, and this book chronicles the recent past and looks to the team’s promising future. From Miguel Cabrera capturing baseball’s first Triple Crown since 1967 on the final day of the season to Justin Verlander’s historic 2011 MVP Award and Mike Ilitch’s blockbuster signing of Prince Fielder, it includes the dramatic roller coaster of a season that led to the American League Central title, the Game 5 shutout against Oakland in the ALDS, a sweep of the hated Yankees and another World Series berth. Also featuring an exclusive preview of the 2013 Tigers—including recently signed outfielder Torii Hunter—<I>Days of Roar!</I> commemorates the Tigers’ rise with a full-color book filled with hundreds of photos and winning memories that is sure to be an essential part of any fan’s collection.

<DIV>With his familiar shock of white hair and craggy, prematurely aged face and twinkling eyes, Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson was a one of a kind personality beloved by generations of fans not just in the two cities he led to World Series championships, but throughout the baseball world. When he retired in 1995 he was third on the list of all-time winningest managers, having accumulated 2,194 victories in managing the Cincinnati Reds to two championships in nine years and adding another with the Detroit Tigers whom he managed for seventeen seasons. Throughout his years near or at the top of baseball through his 2000 election to the Hall of Fame, Anderson rejected the airs of celebrity regardless of how prominent he became, frequently reminding players and friends alike that, "As long as you remember where you came from, you'll always know where you're going." Triumph Books, with archival material from both the <EM>Detroit Free Press</EM> and <EM>The Cincinnati Enquirer</EM> is proud to present this tribute to one of the great baseball personalities of the twentieth century.</DIV>

<DIV>The impossibly, incredibly, indisputably true story of how the Detroit Tigers jumped to the top of the American League almost overnight.</DIV>