"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 5-03-08

A message for N.Y. Mets fans: If some of the veterans on that team had aged like supermodel Carol Alt has over these past few years, I can almost GUARANTEE that more championship banners would be displayed throughout Flushing Meadows at this point in time..........TRIVIA QUESTION: What NHL player holds the league record for most losses in a season by a goaltender? Answer to follow..........Detroit Lions safety Kalvin Pearson was recently arrested on domestic violence charges and held without bail in Tampa. I'm just wondering if he was issued a generic prison shirt or a Cincinnati Bengals jersey..........No disrespect to my alma mater, Fordham, or to its women's basketball coach Cathy Andruzzi, but--in the current, competitive college atmosphere--HOW has this woman been able to keep her job (at least as of press time) while sporting a two-year record of 3-54?..........This week in sports history, May 6, 1953: Bobo Holloman of the St. Louis Browns becomes the first modern-era pitcher to throw a no-hitter in his very first big-league start--shutting down the Philadelphia Athletics 6-0. Holloman battled control problems in the ninth inning--walking three--but was ultimately helped out by a double-play ball hit by the A's Dave Philley. A tiny crowd of just 2,473 at Sportsman's Park also saw Hollomon drive in three runs with a pair of singles during his unforgettable debut..........ITEM: Legends Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees, was renamed Steinbrenner Field this past February--honoring the current Yankees owner. Question: As the stadium was originally named for the Yankees' renowned collection of legendary players (who truly put the franchise on the map), shouldn't the powers that be have left the name alone and simply counted Steinbrenner AMONG those legends?..........Among this week's celebrations in Louisville is the Crown Royal Playboy Kentucky Derby party--featuring TWELVE Playboy playmates. I'm still waiting for an explanation from Valley Times sports editor Bill Pucci as to why yours truly wasn't sent there to cover it up-close and in its entirety..........Answer to trivia question: GARY "SUITCASE" SMITH--who accumulated 48 losses during the 1970-'71 NHL season while playing for the California Golden Seals..........Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a CT girls softball game recently, E.O. Smith beat up on Bulkeley 30-0 in a game shortened to five innings. The winning team scored EIGHTEEN runs (I kid you not) in the very first inning and followed that up with a "nine-spot" in the second while the losing squad committed a pathetic FIFTEEN errors during the course of this mismatch. Good news and bad news for Bulkeley: The good news is that they held E.O. Smith scoreless in the fourth inning. The BAD news is that they lost by more than four touchdowns--and this was NOT a football game..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league pitcher Larry Andersen--who blows out 55 candles on May 6th. A native of Portland, Oregon, Andersen pitched 17 seasons between 1975 and 1994 for six different teams--including two stints with the Phillies. Used strictly in relief, Anderson appeared in 699 games during his career--compiling an impressive lifetime ERA of 3.15; he went 9-5 and pitched more than 100 innings for the Astros in '87. Best wishes, Larry..........Finally, condolences go out to the families of two very special individuals who passed away recently. Longtime Manchester Journal Inquirer (CT) sports editor/columnist Randy Smith died on April 14th at the age of 61. A fearless journalist, he often wrote about UCONN athletics, horse racing, and golf. I was fortunate to have met the man on various occasions; those colleagues of Randy Smith will always remember his integrity and unique way with words. William "Billy" Shortell, 52, a former three-sport athlete at Ansonia (CT) High School, passed away on April 12. A distant cousin of yours truly, Billy helped lead Ansonia to a state championship in baseball in 1974 and is a member of that school's Hall of Fame. Paralyzed by a car accident in 1981, Billy never let his condition dampen a great sense of humor and an undying, caring nature; you'll always be a great inspiration to many, Billy--and not just family members. May these two gentlemen rest in peace.