After years of wrangling with local preservation groups and other distracting matters, the city of Detroit has awarded a demolition contract for the final knee-whacking of Tiger Stadium. The city will pay nothing for the service; selling off the scrap from the neglected ol’ girl will raise over a million dollars for the firm awarded the contract. (We expect more auctions.)

The preservation groups continue to fight to save some piece of the ballpark, whether it be a corner or a grandstand or one of Ernie Harwell’s laminated scorecards. However, they don’t seem to have the money to make it happen, so let the mixed-use development begin!

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• AWFUL ANNOUNCING knows Rob Stone would’ve preferred to spend his Friday in Troy, Alabama - but someone needed to keep Heather Mitts and Julie Foudy company:

• David Letterman pauses with this reflection about the late Yankees broadcaster: “During Phil Rizzuto’s funeral, the hearse left early to beat traffic.”• THE ANGRY T airs out their tuxedo, as they dole out their Sports Emmys.

• BIG TEN TAILGATE can’t wait to get going, as they bid on a urinal fresh from Tiger Stadium:

• VEGAS WATCH crunches the numbers to figure out who’s got the best bet to hit .400.

• STUPID SIDELINE REPORTERS gaze into their crystal football, as they compile college headlines from the year 2020.