Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)

For those of you who don't know, I [Erika] am a sports fan. I love all sports... well... almost all sports. I'm not a golf fan or a nascar fan... or any other weird sports fan. But I love hockey, baseball, basketball, and football. Not necessarily in that order... although hockey is my favorite.

Since I have this love for sports, I have chosen a soulmate from all of my favorite teams. Now, a soulmate is very different from favorite player. For example, my favorite Piston is Tayshaun Prince, but he is not my soulmate for 2 main reasons: 1. He is too old for me. and 2. He is married. So the rules for soulmates are that they must be unmarried, and they must be close to my age. And once I pick a soulmate, I am loyal to that soulmate until they are traded or leave the team for some other reason.

Now that you know the basic rules for soulmate picking, it's time for me to share who mine are. I have one from the Red Wings, Tigers, Pistons, and.... Lions... I think. I don't pick college soulmates cause... well the longest they can be my soulmate is for 4 years... and... well, I just don't.

Red Wings
Soulmate: Jiri Hudler - 3 years older than me.

I just decided this last night. It was between him, Jonathan Ericsson and Vlaterri Fillpula. And I know it's risky cause Hudler might be leaving at the end of the season. But... he's just so great. By great, I mean not necessarily skill-wise, because I think Filpulla might have the edge on him there, but I mean he's just so endearing. He always seems so happy. Happy Hudler. He was also the reason the Wings won the first shoot-out that I had ever seen. And his interview afterwards was so great. The person asked him what was going through his mind as he skated out to center ice and he said, "Don't fall... Don't fall... Don't fall." Hahaha. So great.

Favorite: Undecided
This always stresses me out. I just can't choose. And when I think I can... Like... Zetterberg, for example [he's always high on the list]. I start thinking about how great he is and how he should be my favorite. Then Franzen pops into my head. SO great. Then Datsyuk pops into my head. SO great. Then the old favorites pop into my head - Maltby, Draper, McCarty. Also great. Then Lidstrom pops into my head... and it's about at that time that I just resign to the fact that I can't choose one favorite Wing.


Tigers
Soulmate: Curtis Granderson - 6 years older than me

I think this choice is pretty self-explanatory. Even though 6 years is a bit of a stretch, how can I not choose Granderson? He's great. In all aspects. He's a great player - how many triples? And just take a look at that picture. What a catch. And he's smart. Read his blog - great writer. And, let's be real, he's attractive. Great all-around soulmate for sure.

Favorite: Brandon Inge
I was excited... but worried when they signed Cabrera. Cause I have always loved Inge and I didn't want him to be released or traded. I'm sooo glad they got things straightened out. Inge has been my favorite since the Tigers sucked and he will be until he leaves. For reasons like yesterday in the home opener - he made a spectacular catch. So great.

Pistons
Soulmate: Amir Johnson - about 3 months older than me.


This choice shows my loyalty to my soulmates. Back when the Pistons were good, like - really good, they picked up a player that was the same age as me. At the time, 18. I was immediatly excited about this and chose him as my soulmate. He was actually the first of any of my sports soulmates. He has since come a long way with the Pistons. From being a bench warmer to an actual player, he has been an exciting soulmate to watch. But, to be honest, if I hadn't already picked Amir, Rodney Stuckey would be my soulmate. But, hey! No regrets. :)

Favorite: Tayshaun Prince
Ever since Tayshaun made the "block heard 'round the world" on Reggie Miller, he has been and forever will be my favorite. I also just love his quiet style of play. I still say he's way underrated.

Lions
Soulmate: Calvin Johnson - 2 years older than me.



Much like Granderson, I think this choice is pretty self-explanatory. He's the best player on the Lions. And I have always been a sucker for wide receivers, running backs, and corner backs. And, whataya know - Calvin Johnson's a wide receiver, and excellent one at that. It was a travesty that he wasn't in the Pro Bowl last year. Just cause he's on the worst team.... ever, doesn't mean that he's not great.

Favorite: Calvin Johnson
Let's be real... I don't have much to choose from when it comes to the Lions. So my soulmate and favorite are the same.

So there ya have it.
I love sports and those that play sports. I also love the sunshine and warmth we've been having lately. Just to throw that out there. :)

Ok, peace out.