Terry Foster: Terry's Town

New JLA: Corner is good site

There are a number of places Mike Ilitch could build the new Joe Louis Arena, but there seems to be a growing sentiment among Red Wings fans to see it at Michigan and Trumbull -- site of Tiger Stadium.

"I like where the old Tiger Stadium site," said Joe Rotondo of Livonia. "I don't want it by Foxtown, Ford Field because there would be too much traffic."

Much of Tiger Stadium has been torn down, and the city is receiving bids from developers who want to build there. Some of the proposed deals would include restaurants, condos and a sports bar.

Still, some people want to see the new Joe around Comerica Park and Ford Field.

Randy Rogers, of Macomb, just wants to see games moved from the current Joe. He said the arena is outdated.

"If it is downtown, maybe behind Foxtown," Rogers said. "That is where I would like to see it."

The Wings are in negotiations with the city of Detroit on a new lease at the Joe, but there is speculation on some Internet sites they could play at The Palace next season.

Give Inge a boost

The Internet is abuzz with things other than Michael Jackson . A number of Tigers fans are organizing a push to get Brandon Inge voted into the All-Star Game.

Inge leads third basemen in home runs (19) and is second behind Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria in RBIs with 54. You can vote for Inge at mlb.com until 4 p.m. Thursday.

A plus for UDM

The Detroit Mercy basketball team embarks on an 11-day trip to Spain next month with stops in Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid, among others. Coach Ray McCallum is excited his team gets to play against pro teams in Spain and experience a new culture.

But there's something even more important: The trip is a sign UDM boosters are buying into the program. If not for the financial backing of the boosters this trip would not be possible.

"It's so important when you're trying to build and grow a program like we are," McCallum said in a statement. "It really benefits the program. And the players. They'll grow from a cultural and educational standpoint, and they'll have the opportunity to grow together as a team. I couldn't be happier with the support we've been given to make this trip possible."

Watch for this guy

Sam Washington Jr. , who runs St. Cecelia's, knows talent, and he's predicting big things for Oakland University center Keith Benson next season.

If you haven't seen the 6-foot-11 Benson play since his days at Detroit Country Day, then you won't recognize him. He has better offensive skills and is a shot-blocking machine. Oh, and it helps that Benson also has a great basketball pedigree.

His father, Keith Benson Sr. , played at Jackson State, his uncle, Hilton Hale , at Northwestern and San Diego State and another uncle, Emanuel Leaks , at Niagara and bounced around the NBA and ABA.

terry.foster@detnews.com (313) 222-1494