50 Shades of Scott Daniel: Your New Patch Field Editor

METRO DETROIT, MI. — Good morning, Michigan. Over the last week or so, you might have noticed my “byline” in your local Patch. That’s because I’m your new Patch Field Editor and I couldn’t be more tickled about it.

Let me start by giving you the bottom line: I love this state. As crazy as that might sound to some, I absolutely do love Michigan. For all of the cold weather, dysfunctional politics, questionable roads and the Detroit Lions, there’s endless natural beauty around us, great towns like Rochester, Traverse City and Frankenmuth, and resilient, tough people with big hearts.

I was born here in the pre-historic era (1965) in Garden City, a small suburb of Detroit. I grew up in Plymouth, another small town, which is nestled between Detroit and Ann Arbor. But I’ve lived in a few other places, too: East Lansing, Northville, Ann Arbor, Redford Township and Novi.

I decided as a freshman at Salem High School to be a journalist. I grew up a huge sports fan, a Detroit Tigers’ lunatic and was lucky enough to witness the phenomenon of Mark the “Bird” Fidrych in 1976, the 1984 World Series Championship and snag a seat at the original Opening Day for Comerica Park in 2000. It was that love of sports that drove me toward journalism; I wanted to be a sportswriter.

I got to live that dream, too, covering mostly high school sports. I eventually became a news reporter and now immensely enjoy the variety and continued learning that brings.

In almost every respect, I’ve been blessed.

Besides this job, I have a great family that I adore. My two sons, Matthew and Gabriel, are high school students and my darling baby girl, Emily, is a sixth grader. And then there is the love of my life, Cora, my wife of more than 20 years. She, too, is a lifelong Detroiter and embodies a lot of those qualities I mentioned earlier.

Now, that’s enough about me. What I really care about is you and your stories. That is, after all, why I’m here.

I know it sounds trite, “hey, reach out and connect with me.” But, I really, really mean it. If you have a tip, a story idea or a beef with something I’ve written, call or text me at (313) 590-1007. Email me at Scott.Daniel@patch.com

Some of the best stories I’ve ever done wouldn’t have happened if someone hadn’t called or emailed. I’m going to do the best I can to be out and about, but I can’t be everywhere. That’s where your help will be invaluable.

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone.

Top photo by Grangernite via Flickr Commons