"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 11-17-07

Gotta love Steve Somers of WFAN Radio talking about the lowly New York Jets recently. Somers brought up the fact that the team was heading into a "bye" week--but also added that "the bye is favored by 4 1/2"..........TRIVIA QUESTION: What player in Cleveland Cavaliers history holds the team record for most points scored in one HALF? Answer to follow..........Regarding safety Eric Frampton of the Minnesota Vikings: With a last name like THAT, wouldn't it seem logical for him to play "air guitar" after making any kind of good play on defense?..........There may be BETTER players in the country, but none are more exciting to watch than Chad Hall of Air Force. The guy is your classic overachiever--5'8" tall--but he simply does EVERYTHING: runs with the ball, catches passes, returns punts/kicks, etc. He even sang in the CHOIR in high school while playing various sports. Yes, he put on a show during last week's game vs. Notre Dame--prompting NBC's Tom Hammond to compare him to the Energizer Bunny. If you haven't seen him play, folks, make it a point to as his college career winds down; he'll put a smile on your face..........I see that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays will now be known simply as the Tampa Bay Rays. I guess the team's ownership thinks that taking the "devil" out of the equation will raise their win total from 66 in 2007 to perhaps 90-95 in 2008..........This week in sports history, November 19, 1978: With just 20 seconds remaining in the game, Eagles defensive back Herman Edwards recovers a fumble and runs for a 26-yard TD--leading his team to an unlikely 17-12 victory over the New York Giants. The game appeared to be in the Giants' hands as time was winding down; falling on the ball was all that was necessary to win. However, QB Joe Pisarcik lost control of the snap on an ill-advised running play; Edwards caught a nice bounce off the artificial turf and proceeded to score--stunning the home crowd at Giants Stadium..........Speaking of the aforementioned Air Force/Notre Dame game, rarely will you see examples of such great sportsmanship in the current college atmosphere. Kids were seen helping opponents up after tackles and also fixing unhinged shoulder pads of the opposition; the most impressive moment of the day was AFTER the game--when BOTH squads took time to honor the other by sticking around for the playing of their respective alma maters (the Falcons were standing at attention the entire time as if they were in full MILITARY uniform). Broadcaster Pat Haden even seemed a bit overwhelmed by such a demonstration of pure class--calling it VERY refreshing in the current days of "look-at-me shenanigans." It's just too bad that a military academy has to be involved in a game these days in order to see how young people SHOULD behave/conduct themselves when stepping on the gridiron..........Answer to trivia question: WALT WESLEY--who scored a whopping 34 points in the second half during a game vs. Cincinnati in February of 1971..........The "Unwatchable NBA" Update: In a game played in New York last week, the Heat beat the Knicks 75-72 (ughhh); the teams combined to shoot 9-for-41 from three-point range (not a misprint) and the WINNING Miami team scored a combined total of just 27 points in the second and third quarters. I haven't seen anything that ugly since a former male roommate of mine at Fordham tried to dress up as Madonna at Halloween in the early 80's..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league outfielder Bobby Tolan--who blows out 62 candles on November 19th. A Los Angeles native, Tolan spent his entire 13-year career in the National League--playing for the Cardinals, Reds, Padres, Phillies and Pirates between 1965 and 1979. Perhaps Tolan's best year came in 1969 while with Cincinnati--a year in which he tallied 194 hits, drove in 93 runs, and hit .305. He also led the NL in stolen bases in 1970 (57) while hitting .417 in the NLCS that year vs. Pittsburgh. Yes, it's been a long time, Bobby, since you came up at age 19 with the Cardinals; we wish you many more birthdays to come..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NFL player Sam Dana--who died recently in his sleep in Buffalo at the age of 104. He had been the oldest living former NFL player and had spent his final two years at an assisted living facility. Dana entered the NFL in 1926 with the Hartford Blues--playing in just one game; he later played a full season in 1928 with the New York Yankees (yes, a football team!)--catching three passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. Eventually, he became a special agent for the IRS before retiring in 1969; he loved the Buffalo Bills. He is survived by a son, Bob, and a daughter, Margaret; he also leaves four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Rest in peace, Sam.