"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" -- 06-11-05

Yes, a TOTAL disgrace that no American male tennis player reached the fourth round at the recent French Open. Yes, it now seems that the American tennis game (both men's AND women's) needs a shot in the arm more than yours truly during flu season..........TRIVIA QUESTION #1: What player holds the Kansas City Royals' team record for most doubles in a season? Answer to follow..........Gotta love WFAN Radio's Steve Somers--commenting a couple of weeks ago about Mets first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz' continued hitting woes: "By the time Mientkiewicz gets his next hit, I'll know how to spell his last name."..........This week in sports history, June 13, 1989: Despite trailing by 16 points early in the game, the Detroit Pistons rally to defeat the L.A. Lakers 105-97--completing a four-game sweep for the team's first NBA championship. Detroit's balanced scoring would overcome a 40-point effort by the Lakers' James Worthy; it would also mark the last game in the fabulous career of 42-year-old center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar..........Think about it: Pitching has to be the ONLY profession in the world where you can take five days off, proceed to do a bad job, take ANOTHER five days off, then be welcomed back to your job with open arms..........How 'bout the Quinnipiac baseball team's performance in the NCAA Austin Regional--losing 20-2 to Texas and then 35-8 to Miami (Ohio)? The Bobcats' pitching staff surrendered 49 hits last weekend, while the defense committed a pathetic TWELVE errors in the two games. If I'm Quinnipiac coach Dan Gooley, I lighten the mood after the second massacre, and offer this to my players: "Geez, guys, I thought the Little Bighorn was in Montana--NOT Texas!"..........Did you know that, in 1961, the Philadelphia Phillies lost 23 straight games--and had SEVEN pitchers who lost 10 or more decisions? Art Mahaffey lost 19 games during that horrific season, while John Buzhardt followed up with 18 losses..........Answer to trivia question #1: HAL McRAE--who smacked 54 doubles for Whitey Herzog's 1977 AL West-winning squad..........Need more evidence how privileged/coddled sports figures continue to contribute to the "dumbing down/crumbling" of our society? "Bad boy" Dennis Rodman has written his third book, Anna Kournikova now considers herself a fitness columnist, and disgraced soccer legend/druggie Diego Maradona has landed his own TV talk show in Argentina. Can a book titled Keys To A Successful Marriage--penned by O.J. Simpson--soon be on the horizon?..........TRIVIA QUESTION #2: What team holds the NBA record for most points per game in a season? Answer to follow..........I'm sorry, but I get tired of hearing washed-up athletes like Rickey Henderson and Jerry Rice say that they continue playing simply for the "love of the game." Hey guys, if that's the case, there are TONS of pick-up games in which I'm sure you can participate. If you "love/admire" the game so much, then WHY continue to take roster spots away from youngsters whose goal is to experience just a SMIDGEN of the success you've already HAD?..........One thing's for sure regarding Indy 500 fourth-place finisher Danica Patrick: If she's running late for her future wedding and her limo driver is traveling a bit too slow, there is DEFINITELY someone in the vehicle who can still get her to the chapel on time..........How come I think of ex-President Bill Clinton when I hear Dolphins RB Ricky Williams say that he's given up marijuana due to health reasons?..........Former NFL QB Todd Marinovich has been busted AGAIN--this time after having been found with a bent spoon and a syringe in a California public restroom. I can hear Marinovich's defense lawyer now: "Your Honor, Todd carries the disfigured spoon ONLY to prove to potential NFL suitors his continued hand strength; the syringe is ONLY used responsibly by Mr. Marinovich as part of a kit to measure his blood-alcohol content before leaving drinking establishments."............Answer to trivia question #2: The DENVER NUGGETS. Led by players such as Alex English and Dan Issel, the team averaged an amazing 126.5 points per game during the 1981-'82 season--scoring 100 or more in every game..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former big league catcher Ernie "Love The One You're" Whitt--who blows out 53 candles on June 13th. A Detroit native, Whitt played 15 seasons in the majors between 1976 and 1991 for the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Braves, and Orioles. Whitt's best season came in 1987 with Toronto when he hit 19 HR's and drove in 75 runs; he was also named to the AL All-Star team in 1985 while catching for the Blue Jays. Best wishes, Ernie..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of NBA Hall of Famer George Mikan--who passed away recently from diabetes complications at the age of 80. The NBA's first dominant big man, "Mr. Basketball" won five championships during his first six pro seasons with the Minneapolis Lakers and averaged 22.6 points per game as a professional. Voted one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996, Mikan was also the first commissioner of the famed American Basketball Association (ABA). Rest in peace, "Mr. Basketball."

Bob Lazzari

Reprinted by permission of the Valley Times.