"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" -- 12-11-04

At this point, don't you think that "steroid bums" Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi owe EVERY baseball fan in America a season ticket, two hot dogs, a bag of peanuts, and a bobble-head doll--just for starters?..........TRIVIA QUESTION #1: Who was the leading scorer in the 1962 NFL championship game between the Giants and Packers? Answer to follow..........In a Connecticut high school football game played on November 23rd, Vinal Tech defeated Rocky Hill 71-48. Don't expect either of these teams' defensive coordinators to be joining Randy Edsall's staff at UCONN anytime soon..........How refreshing was last week's Army/Navy football game--filled with sportsmanship, respect, class, and patriotism--amid all the recent NBA brawl/MLB steroid talk?..........The "Lazzari Hooters Update": The Valley Times will hold its annual Christmas party next week--at a popular restaurant DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET from my favorite sports bar. Question: Do you think it would be tacky and/or offend the women in attendance if I suggested a quick stop at Hooters beforehand--at least for an appetizer?..........Answer to trivia question #1: JERRY KRAMER--who, in place of regular place-kicker Paul Hornung, kicked three field goals and an extra point. The legendary Green Bay lineman would perform his heroics at Yankee Stadium--in a game won by the Packers 16-7..........From the "Total Insanity" Dept.: Here's what's wrong with education today: Tim Curtis, basketball coach at Avon High, suspends two of his players three games for drinking on school grounds; administrators subsequently tell Curtis his actions went "beyond what school policy allows"--leading to the coach's abrupt resignation. Avon now loses a long-time, talented coach who truly just wanted to TEACH/SEND A MESSAGE; he cited several cases in the Farmington Valley of kids who have DIED due to drinking in some way. Just further evidence of the clueless incompetence of school officials/boards of education EVERYWHERE--and their disgraceful avoidance of rule enforcement. Meanwhile, these dolts wonder why these transgressions continue..........TRIVIA QUESTION #2: What Hall of Fame pitcher led the National League in wins one season and losses the following season? Answer to follow..........This week in sports history, December 13, 1983: In the highest scoring game in NBA history, the Detroit Pistons defeat the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime. Isiah Thomas leads Detroit--scoring 47 points in a game that saw the Pistons' Kelly Tripucka score all of Detroit's points (12) in the second overtime; Kiki Vandeweghe would lead Denver with 51 points while teammate Alex English chipped in with 47 also..........Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a women's college basketball game a few weeks back, Arizona St. beat Prairie View 102-30. Let's just hope that the gals from the losing squad can still view the prairie, because they SURELY weren't seeing the basketball hoop that night!..........Retired/disgraced running back Ricky Williams has reportedly enrolled in a California school to study the ancient Indian medical system called Ayurveda. Wanna bet that this system advocates the use of marijuana for medical purposes?..........Gotta love the "new NBA." Two weeks ago, the Nets shot a pitiful 20-64 (31%) from the field and missed 18--let me repeat that--EIGHTEEN--foul shots during a 27-point loss to Washington..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former big league outfielder Gorman Thomas--who blows out 54 candles on December 12th. In a 13-year career with the Brewers, Indians, and Mariners, Thomas hit 268 home runs--leading the league in 1979 (45) and 1982 (39). A South Carolina native, he was also named to the American League All-Star team in 1981 and drove in 100 or more runs three times during his career. Have a good one, Gorman..........From the "I Wish I Had Said That" Dept.: Former Washington State Cougars basketball coach George Raveling--once commenting on his team's academic prowess: "I know the Virginia players are smart because you need a 1500 SAT to get in. I have to drop bread crumbs to get our players to and from class."..........Answer to trivia question #2: STEVE CARLTON of the Philadelphia Phillies--who won 27 games in 1972 and lost 20 in 1973..........From the "Out of the Mouths of Babes" Dept.: Senior RB Jason Santiago of Cromwell High relayed the following words to the Hartford Courant after his team's victory over Ansonia in the Class S semifinals: "We wanted Ansonia for the championship, but we got them Tuesday. And now we're going to bring it to Hyde. Now it's their turn." Final score in the Class S final? Hyde 14, Cromwell 7. Putting aside the garbage that often spews from the mouths of teenagers, a few lessons are to be learned here: 1) Be careful what you wish for, (2) keep your mouth shut when you've never won a championship, and (3) don't EVER talk trash about a team ranked ABOVE you in your class..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former major league catcher Tom Haller--who passed away recently in California at the age of 67. Haller played 12 seasons with the Giants, Dodgers, and Tigers--appearing in 1,294 games. He later served as a coach for the Giants, and served as the team's general manager from 1981-1985. Rest in peace, Tom.

Bob Lazzari

Reprinted by permission of the Valley Times.