"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" ---- 03-11-06

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon recently told the New York Post that a stylist/friend of his will fly to New York from Orlando whenever he needs a haircut this season. Geez, what will it cost Damon--TWO GRAND every time he needs a trim? I remember once asking my own barber how far he'd travel to cut my locks. He simply said, "I showed up at the shop today, didn't I?"..........TRIVIA QUESTION: In NBA history, the top two players in free throws made (FTM) are both named Malone--Karl (9,787) and Moses (8,531). Can you name the next three players on that list to round out the top five? Answer to follow..........Former NBA center Manute Bol and his wife have been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct; Bol said his wife punched him in the head during a fight. Keeping in mind that Bol stands 7 feet 7, my question is this: Assuming the couple was standing during the altercation (and that Bol's wife is NOT 7 feet tall), how did this woman manage to even REACH his head? I dunno--perhaps she used a five-foot pole with a fake fist on the end of it..........Did you know that NHL Hall of Famer Stan Mikita--who tallied a whopping 1,467 points (541 goals/926 assists) in his career while with the Chicago Blackhawks--NEVER scored 100 or more points in a season? Mikita's highest point total in a single NHL campaign was 97, which he accomplished twice--during both the '66-'67 and '68-'69 NHL seasons..........The "Unwatchable NBA" Update: A "no-brainer" this week: how 'bout the New Orleans Hornets scoring a total of SIXTEEN (let me repeat that, folks--SIXTEEN) points in the ENTIRE second half during a recent 89-67 loss to the Clippers? The Hornets were consistent from three-point range, though; they missed EVERY one they attempted--going 0-for-9..........This week in sports history, March 13, 1961: Heavyweight fighter Floyd Patterson survives a pair of first-round knockdowns to defeat Sweden's Ingemar Johansson in a championship bout held in Miami. After a rough start, Patterson would put an end to the fight at 2:45 of the sixth round--knocking out Johansson with a flurry of punches to both the head and the body of the sprawling Swede..........Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a girls high school basketball game here in Connecticut recently, Somers defeated Ellis Tech 62-16; Somers outscored their opposition 17-0 in the first quarter. The topper? This was a STATE PLAYOFF GAME, folks--a Class S postseason match-up. Just further evidence of why an 8-12 team (Ellis) has NO business playing past the regular season--and the often non-competitive nature of the girls game in general..........Answer to trivia question: OSCAR ROBERTSON (7,694), MICHAEL JORDAN (7,327), and JERRY WEST (7,160)..........Former heavyweight fighter/Mike Tyson opponent Peter McNeeley has been "hit" with assault and robbery charges in Massachusetts after punching a bar patron and taking the victim's wallet. Having wondered what became of Peter over the past few years, I am now sure of at least ONE thing: he's still fighting for money..........I'd like to see "Grey's Anatomy" star Sandra Oh hook up with former big league pitcher Butch Henry. If they ever tied the knot, old candy lovers would delight in her married name of Sandra Oh Henry..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league pitcher/Connecticut's own Mauro Gozzo--who blew out 40 candles this past week (March 7th). Those who don't remember the New Britain native may have a good reason: he appeared in only 48 games during a six-year career (1989-1994) with the Blue Jays, Indians, Twins, and Mets--winning just seven games. Gozzo chalked up his only major league save in 1993 while with the last-place Mets; he also made 8 of his 13 career starts for New York the following season--his last in the majors. Best wishes, Mauro..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former Mississippi football coach John Vaught--who died recently at the age of 96. Vaught led Ole Miss to six Southeastern Conference titles and 18 bowl appearances during his 25 seasons as coach. An innovative offensive mind, Vaught coached such notable QB's as Charlie Conerly and Archie Manning during his tenure at Mississippi; the school's stadium now proudly bears his name. Rest in peace, John.

Bob Lazzari

Reprinted by permission of the Valley Times.