"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 1-26-08

Just looking over the stats from Saint Louis' 49-20 basketball loss to George Washington on January 10th, one wonders if this kind of pathetic futility will ever be topped; Saint Louis set a modern Division I record for fewest points in a game. In addition, the Billikens shot 7-for-48 overall (15%)--including 1-for-19 from three-point range (5%); at one juncture, they missed 23 consecutive shots (that's not a misprint). Yes, folks, when the "highlight" of your game during that fiasco is shooting 50% from the free throw line (the Billikens shot 5-for-10), you KNOW you've experienced a bad evening..........TRIVIA QUESTION: What two NHL players share the league record for most points in a game by a defenseman? Answer to follow..........If Jessica Simpson were to marry Cowboys QB Tony Romo this off-season, I'm convinced that the coaches/GM's of every team in the NFL, besides Dallas, will pool their money and pay for the entire wedding--providing Jessica accompanies Tony to EVERY game Dallas plays next season..........Did you know that the father of Miami Heat coach Pat Riley--Leon Riley--played in a remarkable 2,267 minor league baseball games? A former outfielder/first baseman, Leon did get a small taste of big league experience--playing four games for the '44 Phillies at the age of 37--before returning to minor league ball for good..........Good news and bad news for the Emory & Henry College (VA) basketball team. The good news is that they play an exciting, fast-paced, fan-friendly brand of basketball--averaging an amazing 110 points per game through last weekend. The BAD news is that they allow an ASTOUNDING 118 points per game--and were sporting a 4-9 record at that time..........This week in sports history, January 28, 1990: Quarterback Joe Montana throws a remarkable FIVE touchdown passes--leading his 49ers team to a 55-10 blowout victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Wide receiver Jerry Rice caught three of Montana's TD throws; San Francisco built up a 27-3 halftime lead before ultimately setting Super Bowl records for most points scored and margin of victory..........With all the old sports injuries/arthritic episodes being my daily "companions" at this point, the ONLY way yours truly sits through a sub-zero game at Lambeau Field is if I'm sharing a huge hot chocolate, tons of blankets, and some welcomed body-warming with actress Charlize Theron..........Speaking of good scenery (Charlize, that is, NOT Lambeau Field), I turned on NBC's "Fashion On Ice" during halftime of last weekend's New England/San Diego AFC championship game and was treated to lovely Italian figure skater Silvia Fontana skating to a live performance by beautiful singer Sarah Brightman. No disrespect, Pats fans, but it surely beat the heck out of seeing Patriots guard Logan Mankins and his scraggly beard sitting on the sidelines at Gillette Stadium.......... Answer to trivia question: TOM BLADON (Philadelphia, 1977) and PAUL COFFEY (Edmonton, 1986)--who share the record for most points in a game by a defenseman with EIGHT..........The St. Louis Cardinals have avoided arbitration with outfielder Rick Ankiel--signing the outfielder to a one-year deal last week. Sorry, but my first thought was that he may have signed the contract with a syringe filled with ink..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league pitcher Hyman "Hy" Cohen--who blows out 77 candles on January 29th. Even the most diehard, old-time baseball fans will have trouble remembering this Brooklyn, NY native as Cohen played in only ONE big league season--1955 with the Cubs. Appearing in just seven games that year (six of them in relief), Cohen pitched 17 innings, gave up 28 hits, and allowed a whopping 15 earned runs--thus leaving big-league baseball with a lifetime ERA of 7.94. Hey, they ALL can't be Lee Smith, right? Best wishes, "Hy"..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of St. Louis Rams owner Georgia Frontiere--who died last week in Los Angeles at the age of 80; she had been hospitalized with breast cancer for several months. A former dancer and lounge singer, she inherited the Rams after Carroll Rosenbloom--her sixth husband--died in 1979. She later married award-winning composer Dominic Frontiere, but ultimately divorced him in 1988 upon his release from prison after he served time on tax charges. Frontiere was involved in various philanthropic efforts and was a fixture at Rams games, especially in 2000-- the year the Rams won the Super Bowl. She is survived by two children, six grandchildren, and Earle Weatherwax--her companion of 19 years. May she rest in peace.