"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" ---- 04-01-06

Did anyone out there catch the interview with UCONN Vice President John Saddlemire that appeared in the Hartford Courant last week? In a nutshell, Saddlemire was asked about "laptop criminal"/ guard Marcus Williams' suspension from the basketball team earlier this season--and the student disciplinary process in general. All I'll say is that Saddlemire's politically correct jargon and university-protecting PR skills have now earned him the distinction of being an honorary member of the popular New York-based band known as the Spin Doctors..........TRIVIA QUESTION: Who is the only player in Milwaukee Brewers history to ever win the Rookie of the Year Award? Answer to follow..........Oh, in case anyone is wondering--yes, I STILL think former figure skater/commentator Peggy Fleming looks better than anyone half her age..........I am picking October 1st as the over/under date for when Keyshawn Johnson starts complaining about his role in the Carolina Panthers offense--compared to fellow receiver Steve Smith's..........This week in sports history, April 2, 1990: Anderson Hunt scores 29 points and Larry Johnson adds 22--leading UNLV past Duke 103-73 in the NCAA basketball championship game played in Denver. The Runnin' Rebels hit 18-of-29 three-point attempts and shot 61% from the floor; the 30-point victory margin would be the largest in championship game history..........Can you imagine if Mississippi State soccer player Stephanie Dallas married PGA golfer Woody Austin, divorced, married former NFL running back Wendell Tyler--divorced again--then married former N.Y. Knicks guard Allan Houston? Lovers of the Texas landscape would delight in her full married name of Stephanie Dallas Austin Tyler Houston..........The "jockocracy" rears its ugly head once again as Al Leiter says he will call Yankee games on the YES Network this season; Howard Cosell just groaned again from his grave..........Fondest regards go out to former Windham High (CT) four-year varsity soccer player David Babcock--now stationed in northern Iraq with the U.S. Army. Having met Dave during his formative years, I can attest to this young man's devotion and pride; he now holds the rank of Specialist (E-4). He writes to me occasionally telling me how much he and his fellow army buddies enjoy this column--copies of which I send him every so often; glad I can help, Dave. Good luck to you, my friend, and to ALL who serve..........ITEM: The Red Sox trade pitcher Bronson Arroyo to the Reds for Wily Mo Pena. Seems like GM Theo Epstein and I share the same opinion about Bronson: a "good" pitcher--but NOT one you'd like to see take the mound in a big game; makes a lotta sense financially, too..........The "Unwatchable NBA" Update: In a game last week in Indiana, the Pistons shot 4-for-13 from the foul line; the same evening, the Timberwolves scored a "whopping" total of EIGHT points in the first quarter during a 20-point loss to Toronto. If the league has ANY sense of humor, NBA arenas will start showing clips of the 1971 movie "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight" on scoreboards during timeouts..........Answer to trivia question: PAT LISTACH--who hit .290 for the 1992 Brewers but enjoyed only a brief, six-year MLB career..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former big league outfielder Gary Pettis--who blows out 48 candles on April 3rd. The speedy Pettis played 11 seasons between 1982 and 1992 with the Angels, Tigers, Rangers, and Padres--stealing 354 bases lifetime. Although never living up to his potential offensively (he hit only .236 lifetime and struck out too much), Pettis was outstanding defensively, winning five Gold Gloves in his career. Best wishes, Gary........ Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NFL line coach John Sandusky--who died recently in Florida of complications from internal bleeding. An assistant to legendary head coach Don Shula for most of his career (in Baltimore and Miami), Sandusky tutored such notable linemen as Gino Marchetti, Jim Parker, and Jim Langer; his Dolphin teams led the league in fewest sacks allowed for nine straight years in the 1980s. John Sandusky will be remembered for his passion for teaching and his dislike of any attention being brought to himself; may he rest in peace.

Bob Lazzari

Reprinted by permission of the Valley Times.