Jerry Herron, Wayne State University English professor, comments in a story about the Detroit of today as the Tigers are on the brink of a potential World Series slot. AP writer Sarah Karush says the view in much of the city remains grim. She wrote, "Once picturesque neighborhoods are dotted by burned-out houses and overgrown lots. Commercial strips that hummed with activity decades ago are now full of boarded-up storefronts." Herron says the city looks a lot better. \"I can do all kinds of stuff that I couldn\'t do before. I can buy a loaf of fresh bread, I can get my shirts done, walk to the corner bar and have a drink, get a fresh cappuccino. I can do all that city stuff, and that\'s wonderful.\" Herron also contends that Detroit\'s problems are no different from those in the rest of the country, but bashing the city is a convenient way for people elsewhere to avoid addressing them. People can always say: \"At least it\'s not as bad as in Detroit,\" he said.