"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" ---- 10-07-06

Here's why the CIAC's 50-point rule (where a CT high school football coach gets suspended if his team wins by 50 or more points) is a JOKE: Dan Lawrence's East Hartford team beats Fermi last week 60-0
--even with Lawrence removing his starters from the game before halftime. What was this guy supposed to do--put the CHEERLEADERS in the game in order to keep the score down? This rule is PATHETIC--and has at its core a fairy tale belief that every game should somehow be semi-competitive. What are these kids on losing teams going to do when life strikes them some mean blows in the future--call the CIAC and ask them to make everything better?..........TRIVIA QUESTION: What pitcher has thrown the most complete games in Milwaukee Brewers history? Answer to follow..........If Ted Giannoulas, aka "The San Diego Chicken," ever were to chase manager Joe Torre around a baseball diamond and tackle him, could we then refer to that as "Chicken-Catch-A-Torre"? (sorry, folks)..........This week in sports history, October 8, 1988: The Columbia University football team, having lost their previous 44 games over a five-year span, upsets Princeton 16-13--ending the longest losing streak in major college football history. It wasn't easy, though; a field goal attempt to tie the score by Princeton in the final seconds fell short--giving the Lions their first victory since defeating Yale back in 1983..........Did you know that, in 1990, pitcher Dennis Eckersley of the A's pitched 73 innings and walked only FOUR batters the entire season? In contrast, reliever Mark Davis of the Royals threw five FEWER innings than Eckersley--but walked THIRTEEN TIMES as many batters (52) as "Eck"..........Can you imagine if women's tennis player Virginia Ruano Pascual walked down the aisle with former White Sox infielder Mike Squires? Fans of the old American Basketball Association would surely enjoy her married name of Virginia Squires..........How 'bout Paul McCoy of Matewan (WV) High School--who ran for a staggering 658 yards in a game last week? Geez, if he runs for, say, 350 yards in his next game, will the kid consider that a disappointing performance?..........ITEM: Mike Tyson has announced a "world tour"
--where he will fight four-round exhibitions because he needs the money. I don't know about you, but if I want to see a crazed maniac make a few bucks, I'd rather visit local area banks on a regular basis until I witness a robbery taking place..........Answer to trivia question: MIKE CALDWELL--who hurled 81 complete games for Milwaukee between 1977 and 1984..........Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a college football game in New Jersey last week, Central CT beat up on St. Peter's 73-13; CCSU outgained its opposition on the ground 372 yards to MINUS-3. Central also had 49 points at the HALF and had to throw only 7 passes the ENTIRE game. Nicknamed the "Peacocks," St. Peter's surely showed no similarity whatsoever to a bird known for its brilliant appearance and ability to show off its stunning assets..........How 'bout Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons fouling off a ball into his wife's ribs a couple of weeks ago? Rumor has it that her spending allowance just went up $1,000 per week..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league shortstop Roger Metzger--who blows out 59 candles on October 10th. A Texas native, Metzger played 11 seasons between 1970 and 1980 for the Cubs, Astros, and Giants. A light-hitting shortstop for sure, Roger hit only .231 lifetime while hitting just five career home runs. However, he DID manage to lead the NL in triples TWICE--in 1971 (11) and 1973 (14). He was also a slick fielder--winning the NL Gold Glove Award in '73 while with Houston. Best wishes, Roger..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of Rice University freshman football player Dale Lloyd--who died last week a day after collapsing during a routine workout. A 19-year-old defensive back, Lloyd played in Rice's season opener vs. Houston, but was to be redshirted this season. A tremendous student, Lloyd was selected to the "Who's Who Among American High School Students" while at Houston's LaMar High School; he is survived by his parents, Bridgette and Dale, and two brothers. May he rest in peace.

Bob Lazzari

Reprinted by permission of the Valley Times.