Don's Call: 7 thoughts from Don's desk

DETROIT (WXYZ) - 7 Thoughts while sitting at my desk:

1- Brandon Inge is the most polarizing athlete in our city in a long time. But he’s a consummate pro and will conduct himself in a mature manner at all times. It doesn’t matter if he’s hitting 377 or 177, which is what he’s hitting right now.

2- How great is it to have someone like Magic Johnson helping to rebuild the city and create jobs? He’s following the good deeds of Michigan’s Jalen Rose and MSU’s Steve Smith.

3- In just a year’s time Ndamukong Suh has become one of the most popular athletes in Detroit. First with his incredible play, 2nd with his fun-loving personality, and 3rd with his charitable and social network inter-action. How can a guy be so soft spoken off the field and so fierce on it. He’s the Cybil of the NFL.

4- Tiger Woods has the right to fire his caddy, Steve Williams, for whatever reason he chooses. But it seems so cold-hearted when Williams so vigorously defended and stood by Woods during the worst time of Tiger’s life. In return he gets a pink slip.

5- To be the Lions starting quarterback or the Wings starting goalie means you’re the most critically analyzed pro athlete in Detroit. Give Ozzie credit for handling that aspect with a terrific sense of humor. He was part of winning 3 Stanley Cups and still got ripped a lot. He had some crazy thick skin.

6- If the Pistons do hire Lawrence Frank he’ll be the one head coach in town I’ll look down at during interviews or “live” sportscasts. I’m not big but I’m taller than Frank. However, he’s forgotten more about basketball than I’ll ever know. He’s the best candidate left standing and is the logical choice.

7- I talked to Tigers Manager Jim Leyland at the Sparky Anderson, “Catch’ charity tournament to benefit Henry Ford and Children’s hospital. Out of his baseball element he seemed like a different guy. He was really laid back, very friendly and engaging. It’s a side of Jim that we rarely get to see around the ballpark where he’s all business. I really enjoyed our conversation.