"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 10-27-07

Is it me--or was UCONN women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma much more likeable before he went totally "Hollywood?"..........TRIVIA QUESTION: In NFL history, what kicker has attempted the most field goals in one game? Answer to follow..........About Joe Torre--here's my take: If the guy truly had a BURNING desire to manage the Yankees, he would have definitely accepted the deal that would probably pay him $7 million in 2007--plus tons of endorsements. On the flip side, I can see how he'd consider a slight pay cut an insult--taking into consideration his entire body of work in New York (I wish someone would insult ME with a multi-million dollar deal!). Bottom line? Torre's time in New York has come and gone. Please, Joe, you're a very rich, 67-year-old senior citizen/cancer survivor with your health still intact. Play some golf, spend time with your lovely wife and young daughter, and wait for Cooperstown to come calling..........When asked to describe what kind of player he is, newly-acquired New York Rangers winger Chris Drury recently told the New York Post, "I'm probably more ham-and-egg than steak-and-lobster." Maybe so, Chris, but when you're earning more than $7 million per season, I'll venture to say that the ham you're probably eating these days is most likely NOT of the SPAM variety..........How 'bout that exhibition game in Worcester last week between the Celtics and Nets--cancelled after halftime due to a damp court with Boston leading 36-33? With an ugly score like that, my first reaction was that a higher power was showing mercy on the 10,600 fans in attendance..........I am TOTALLY convinced that the clueless official responsible for blowing the now infamous "non-fair catch" call during the UCONN/Louisville game last week (resulting in a 74-yard TD return by the Huskies' Larry Taylor) probably also believes Rosie O'Donnell should have won Esquire Magazine's "Sexiest Woman Alive" designation rather than Charlize Theron. By the way--by Theron capturing that title, does that further hinder my chances of someday being able to garner a date with her?..........And how 'bout Dolphins DE Jason Taylor showboating on his way to the end zone after an interception last weekend--while his team was being EMBARRASSED/blown out by the Patriots? When things like this happen, I still always have to remind myself that 99% of NFL players are NOT members of Mensa.......... This week in sports history, October 28, 1962: N.Y. Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle throws a record-tying SEVEN touchdown passes--leading his team to a 49-34 victory over the Washington Redskins at Yankee Stadium. The 35-year-old Tittle connected on TD passes to four different receivers, including Del Shofner--who caught 11 passes for a club-record 269 yards. Tittle tied the NFL record for TD passes in a game held by Sid Luckman, Adrian Burk, and George Blanda..........Answer to trivia question: JIM BAKKEN of the St. Louis Cardinals--who attempted a whopping NINE field goals (converting seven) vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 24, 1967..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league outfielder Kerwin Moore--who blows out 37 candles on October 29th. "Who the HECK is Kerwin Moore?," one may ask. Ah, for good reason. A Detroit native, Moore played only ONE big league season--1996 with the Oakland A's--appearing in just 22 games. Playing mostly as a centerfielder that season, Moore did little to make his name a household one--coming to bat 16 times and garnering just ONE hit. Yes, folks, Kerwin Moore left major league baseball with a lifetime batting average of .063. Hey--they all can't be Reggie Jackson, right? Best wishes, Kerwin..........Condolences go out to the family of longtime Chicago Blackhawks owner William Wirtz--who died recently of cancer in Evanston, Illinois at the age of 77. Affiliated with the Blackhawks for over forty years, Wirtz was very instrumental in regard to the construction of the United Center in Chicago and helped negotiate the merger of the NHL and the World Hockey Association in the late 70's. However, Wirtz had been criticized by fans in recent years--many blaming him for allowing talented players to leave the franchise; he was also looked down upon for his refusal to televise the team's home games. Wirtz was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976 and also served on both the 1980 and 1984 Winter Olympic Committees. Wirtz is survived by his wife, Alice, and five children; may he rest in peace..........Finally, I'd like to thank all my readers and friends out there for their kind expressions of condolences after the recent death of my mother, Mary Lou; the entire Lazzari family appreciates it. Also, the positive response to my tribute column to my Mom last week was both huge and overwhelming--and I'm glad I could assist others in appreciating their OWN mothers just a little bit more. Such a large response/tremendous feedback simply means I did my job as a journalist in honoring a woman that I wish all of my readers could have known. Thanks, everyone.