"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 06-23-07

I swear, everything turns to gold for Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs. He just won another NBA championship, took home the Finals MVP trophy, is a multi-millionaire, and gets to go home each evening to gorgeous actress Eva Longoria; yes, guys, some things in life just AREN'T fair. I HAVE to get this guy to purchase my next set of lottery tickets..........TRIVIA QUESTION: Who is the last pitcher to win 20 games in a season for the Pittsburgh Pirates? Answer to follow..........Early returns say that Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew could possibly be the biggest bust this side of Dolly Parton..........From the "Telling It Like It Is" Dept.: WFAN radio host Steve Somers--who remarked the following on his show last week: "In New York, you need BRAINS to cope. In L.A., all you need is a tan and a nice car."..........Can you imagine if WNBA'er K.B. Sharp married PGA golfer D.A. Points, divorced, married columnist George Will--divorced again--then married former Lafayette College running back Jonathan Hurt? Those afraid of needles would surely have no problem warning others while saying her full, married name of K.B. Sharp Points Will Hurt..........This week in sports history, June 25, 1992: Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro DT Jerome Brown and his 12-year-old nephew are killed instantly when the car Brown is driving crashes into a palm tree in his hometown of Brooksville, FL; Brown was 27. A Pro-Bowler in both '90 and '91, Brown had combined with Mike Pitts, Clyde Simmons, and Reggie White to form one of football's best defensive lines in Philly--part of a unit that had once held the #1 ranking in total defense in the NFL..........On a NESN telecast last week, Jerry Remy remarked that Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell "now has a four-game hitting streak." Geez, a whole FOUR games, Jerry? Shouldn't it be an unwritten rule among broadcasters that hitting streaks aren't mentioned until they reach, say, 15 games? I think I just heard a coughing sound coming from the grave of the "Yankee Clipper".........Answer to trivia question: JOHN SMILEY--who went 20-8 in 1991 for Jim Leyland's first place Pittsburgh club..........Anyone out there see Giants SS Omar Vizquel's running catch into centerfield during the second inning last Saturday vs. Boston? I haven't seen anything THAT pretty since the last time I rented a Sharon Stone movie..........At this juncture, I am TOTALLY convinced that Red Sox catcher Doug Mirabelli would have trouble hitting .220 for any beer-league softball team playing in the Boston area..........Talk about BAD years. In 1975, former NL All-Star Nate Colbert came to bat 156 times for the Tigers and managed only 23 hits--thus hitting for an average of .147. Colbert then landed in Montreal later that season where he went 14-for-81 for the Expos--an average of .173. Combining everything (if my math is correct), Nate Colbert came to bat over 230 times during the '75 campaign and hit a grand total of just .156. Ughhhhh..........How 'bout U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera's whopping 397-yard drive on the 12th hole at Oakmont last Sunday? I've driven CARS in the past that would have trouble covering that kind of distance..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league pitcher Dick Drago--who blows out 62 candles on June 25th. Drago pitched for the Royals, Red Sox, Angels, Orioles and Mariners between 1969 and 1981--winning 108 games lifetime. Originally a starting pitcher in Kansas City, Drago's best year came in 1971 for the Royals when he went 17-11 and pitched to an ERA of 2.98. He became a full-time reliever while pitching in Boston in '75 and ended up saving 58 games during his 13-year career. Best wishes, Dick..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former major league third baseman Clete Boyer--who died a few weeks ago in Atlanta from complications of a brain hemorrhage; he was 70. Boyer played 16 seasons between 1955 and 1971 for the Athletics, Yankees and Braves--hitting .242 lifetime with 162 home runs. A terrific fielder--known more for his glove than his bat--Boyer helped the Yankees to five World Series and two world championships during his tenure in New York; he also won a Gold Glove while playing for the Braves in 1969. May Mr. Boyer rest in peace.