"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 8-29-09

How 'bout 13-year-old Luke Ramirez of the Chula Vista, CA baseball team--who slugged two MONSTROUS home runs in the LL World Series last weekend vs. the Kentucky team? Rumor has it that Ramirez met with agent Scott Boras shortly after the game and will soon demand the following from his parents: an extension of his bedtime from 9 to 10PM, delivery of the newest Xbox games to his bedroom within 24 hours of their release to the general public, and a 500% increase in his weekly allowance..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The lowly 1991 Houston Astros--who finished 65-97 under manager Art Howe--had only ONE full-time starting pitcher with an above-.500 record. Can you name this former hurler? Answer to follow..........My good buddy Abe Knaster's "Gem of the Week": As far as sports are concerned, if practice makes perfect--and NOBODY's perfect--then WHY practice?..........Folks, I'm fed up with these idiotic people/"do-gooders" (let me translate that--"enablers") who say Plaxico Burress was too harshly punished for his recent gun possession charge. Just TWO years for carrying a LOADED, UNLICENSED gun in a public place--especially in New York City?? The guy should be doing more celebratory dances now than he ever did in any end zone. I also heard that Plax's wife is a lawyer. Ummm--nothing personal, Mrs. Plax, but I have to question the judgment of an attorney who obviously was once attracted to a clueless, rule-breaking, non-team oriented, cocky street-thug who's always thought he was above the law. Yes, my friends, just the kind of legal counsel I'd want representing me!..........This week in sports history, September 1, 1983: Frenchman Thierry Vigneron sets a world pole vault record--clearing 19 feet, 1 1/2 inches at the Golden Gala track and field meet at Rome's Olympic Stadium. After missing on his first two attempts, Vigneron finally broke the record of 19 feet, 1 inch--set by his fellow Frenchman Pierre Quinon just five days earlier in West Germany..........Count WFAN's Mike Francesa among those who believe that dolts like the aforementioned Burress will never "get it." His remarks during a monologue last week: "What we DO learn in life is that some people NEVER learn."..........A guy from Pittsburgh told me last week that he considers "Cash For Clunkers" to be the money he's spent this year to watch his hometown Pirates play baseball. I still say that it's a term for the cash put out by anyone who's purchased a boxed DVD set of Madonna's movies over the past 20 years or so..........With a slight assist from my colleague Norm Bender: Former Olympian Carol Lewis (sister of Carl) marries former Steelers WR Louis Lipps, divorces, marries PGA golfer Stewart Cink--divorces again--then marries Florida builder/developer Peter Shipps. Her full married name winds up being Carol Lewis Lipps Cink Shipps..........On an all-sports radio station last week, I heard sultry Carmen Electra doing a commercial for a cruise line. My first reaction was, "Why RADIO?" I say that if Ms. Electra does a similar TV spot--complete with the stunning beauty decked out in cruise-themed garb--the company sells at least TEN times as many cruises as it does over the radio airwaves..........Answer to trivia question: PETE HARNISCH--who went 12-9 for the sixth-place Astros that year..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league outfielder Von Hayes--who blows out 51 candles on August 31st. A native of Stockton, CA, Hayes played 12 years in the 'bigs" between 1981 and 1992 for the Indians, Phillies, and Angels--hitting .267 lifetime. Nicknamed Von "Purple" Hayes by ESPN's Chris Berman, Hayes' best year came in 1986 while with the Phillies--a season in which he led the National League in doubles (46) and runs scored (107) while hitting .305. In 1985, Hayes became the first player in MLB history to hit two home runs in the first inning of a baseball game--doing it vs. the Mets. An All-Star in 1989, Hayes became a minor league manager once his playing days were over; best wishes, Von..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former Louisiana Tech basketball player Lavelle Felton--who recently died from a gunshot wound he suffered while leaving a Milwaukee gas station; he was just 29. Felton averaged 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game for Tech in 2002-2003; he then spent time with a Turkish team before playing in Greece and France. Last season, Felton played for Paderborn--a team in Germany--and helped his team reach the playoffs. At the time of his death, his agent had been negotiating with several teams interested in signing Lavelle for next season. Yes, another young man taken away from us WAY before his time; rest in peace, Lavelle.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 8-22-09

Column reader/contributor Abe Knaster of New York chimes in once again on his hometown team: "After much debate, Michael Jackson's final resting place was finally revealed. He was buried alongside the 2009 New York Mets." Abe also pointed out that Jose Guillen of the K.C. Royals recently sustained a torn knee ligament while putting on a shin guard--which automatically makes the outfielder very attractive to the Mets this coming off-season..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1982 Houston Astros--who finished fifth in the National League West--hit a total of only 74 home runs as a team. Can you name the team's top two home run hitters that season--who had totals of just 13 and 12? Answer to follow..........Yes, when someone like yours truly experiences a "not-so-good" day, there's always nesn.com/heidi to fall back on..........A caller on WFAN last weekend said disgraced QB Michael Vick should find employment OUTSIDE the NFL--that he is "educated" and could locate alternative work. Host Steve Somers' response: "What is he educated IN--learning how to kill animals?".......... Speaking of NESN: Love him or hate him, Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley lays it all on the line during telecasts. During the 8/12 game vs. Detroit, "Eck" compared Tigers pitcher Zach Miner to former Red Sox hurler Bob Stanley due to the fact that Miner pitched both as a starter and a reliever in the same week; the term "rubber arm" was mentioned. The conversation turned to Eckersley comparing the modern pitcher to the one of years ago; he referred to the era of when Stanley pitched as "the days when saves were SAVES and men were MEN"..........This week in sports history, August 25, 1922: In the highest-scoring game in major league history, the Chicago Cubs outscore the Philadelphia Phillies 26-23 in a game played at windy Wrigley Field. The slugfest featured a total of 51 hits--27 by Chicago and 24 by Philly--with the Cubs having led 25-5 at one point. Philadelphia made a gallant comeback--scoring 14 runs in the final two innings--but ultimately fell short. Chicago was led by Cliff Heathcote with five hits, and were also propelled by a pair of homers off the bat of Hack Miller in a game that lasted approximately three hours..........One of the most fun-to-pronounce names in the Eastern League this season: OF/DH Deik Scram of the Erie SeaWolves..........Answer to trivia question: Second baseman PHIL GARNER (13) and catcher ALAN ASHBY (12)..........With all due respect to Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and some of my media colleagues, Omar Vizquel is the best fielding SS I have ever seen; he just didn't do flips in the infield or win a championship in order to further his cause..........Pardon me for not fully understanding the phrase/concept, but does this "Cash For Clunkers" refer to the money spent by fans to watch the aforementioned New York Mets play?..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league infielder Webster Garrison--who blows out 44 candles on August 24th. A native of Louisiana, Garrison appeared in just five big league games during his short-lived career--playing first and second base for the Oakland A's in 1996. Perhaps the reason why Webster won't be collecting a major league pension is that he went 0-for-9 in those five games; yes, folks, Webster Garrison hit .000 lifetime. However, he CAN tell his grandchildren that he DID walk once during his MLB tenure--thus resulting in a lifetime on-base percentage of .100. Hey--they all can't be Rickey Henderson, right? Best wishes, Webster..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former college basketball coach/player Dick Holub--who died recently in Arizona at the age of 87. As a player, Holub was a member of LIU's 1941 NIT Championship team--leading the Blackbirds to a 25-2 record that season. Holub served in the Air Force during World War II and went on to play a season for the Knicks in the Basketball Association of America--the predecessor to the NBA. Dick Holub would become the first basketball coach at Fairleigh Dickinson--where he compiled a 233-167 record from 1949-1966. He also taught English at FDU and later became an academic advisor to the athletic department at UCONN. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Eileen, four daughters, and two sons; rest in peace, "Coach."

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 8-15-09

Lazzari's "Cheap Win of the Week" (and it doesn't get much cheaper!): Undoubtedly goes to the Yankees' Joba Chamberlain, who labored through the minimum 5 innings last week vs. Boston--giving up a pair of homers, walking SEVEN, and allowing four earned runs. However, like many of his New York predecessors, he benefits from the team's potent offense--picking up the "W" during a 13-6 Yankee rout..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1984 Philadelphia Phillies--who finished at exactly .500 under manager Paul Owens--had two players on the squad who combined to steal 120 bases. Can you name these two gentlemen? Answer to follow..........I'm sorry, folks, but if N.Y. Giants QB Eli Manning is worth $16 million per season, then yours truly is at the top of actress Sharon Stone's cell phone contact list--with a STAR next to his name..........A year or two after I first inquired about it, I'm STILL wondering if PGA golfer Boo Weekley has a cousin named Applaud Monthly..........**ATTENTION PARENTS: Take your kids out to one (or more) of the three remaining "Sundae Fundae Rundae" promotions at Dodd Stadium in Norwich this summer. In addition to seeing some great baseball being played by the first-place Connecticut Defenders, kids get to run the bases after the game and receive FREE ice cream--sponsored by Edy's. The three upcoming "Fundae" dates are 8/16, 8/23, and 9/6--with all games starting at 1:05..........This week in sports history, August 17, 1933: Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees makes baseball history--playing in his 1,308th consecutive game vs. the St. Louis Browns to break Everett Scott's major league record. The "Iron Horse's" streak had begun on June 1, 1925; play was stopped after the first inning of the game as Gehrig was presented with a silver statue by American League President Will Harridge. The Browns ultimately put a damper on this special occasion--beating the Yankees 7-6 in 10 innings in a game played at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis..........Hilarious moment: I was having coffee at a local breakfast joint recently while watching the news on the overhead TV. The CNN anchor proceeds to report that David Ortiz of the Red Sox had tested positive for a PED a few years back. Immediately, about 4 or 5 of us male patrons--unplanned and IN UNISON--sarcastically yelled out, "NOOOOOOOOO!!!" (in "you don't say!" fashion). Following another 20 seconds or so of collective laughter among us, we all finished our coffee/breakfasts and went our separate ways. Yes, you had to be there, folks..........Can you imagine if former MIT basketball player Kimberly Soo Hoo married former British boxer Jim Watt--divorced--then married PGA golfer Mike Weir? Inquisitive minds would surely delight in her full married name of Kimberly Soo Hoo Watt Weir..........Once again, gotta love Steve Somers of WFAN Radio in New York--one of my "faves" in the business. When asked recently about the early-season home run barrage at the new Yankee Stadium, he referred to the building as "The House That Someone Who Flunked Out Of Engineering School Built"..........ITEM: The aforementioned David Ortiz--addressing a positive drug test-- says he was "a little bit careless back in the days when I was buying supplements." Pardon me, David, but what constitutes "a little bit careless" when purchasing supplements is when one buys a Met-Rx Bar when they really wanted to purchase a PowerBar instead..........Answer to trivia question: JUAN SAMUEL (72) and VON HAYES (48)..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league infielder Charles Henry "Bucky" Guth--who blows out 62 candles on August 18th. Bucky Guth is a member of that unique fraternity of big league players who hit .000 lifetime in the "bigs." Yes, as a shortstop, Guth came to bat just three times in 1972 while playing with the Minnesota Twins--going hitless. However, he CAN tell his grandchildren that he DID score one run in the majors--and fielded all four of the balls hit to him cleanly; yes, folks, Bucky Guth is in the MLB record book with a lifetime fielding percentage of 1.000. Best wishes for many more birthdays to come, Bucky..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former major league pitcher Carlton Willey--who died recently of complications from lung cancer at the age of 78. Willey pitched eight seasons for the Braves and Mets between 1958 and 1965--winning 38 games in his career. A native of Maine whose career would be interrupted by a two-year stint in the Army, Willey won a career high 9 games for the Braves during his rookie year of 1958--pitching to an impressive ERA of 2.70 while hurling four shutouts. On the flip side, he was also known for his hitting futility; Willey hit just .099 for his career including a 1-for-54 season (.019) in 1961 while with Milwaukee. Appearing in the 1958 World Series vs. the Yankees, Willey pitched a scoreless inning in Game 5. After his career ended, Willey worked at a variety of jobs--including spending some time as a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies; may Carlton Willey rest in peace.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 8-8-09

Paul Ferrante--a local baseball stadium historian--recently chimed in on the new Yankee Stadium: "Surely, it's a shrine to the Yankees--but it's also a shrine to EXCESS"..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1983 Kansas City Royals had three players on the team who stole more than 25 bases apiece. Can you name these three individuals? Answer to follow..........Newly-acquired N.Y. Mets outfielder Jeff Francoeur recently told the New York Post that his favorite actress is Charlize Theron. Two things: 1) This guy just became my favorite athlete in New York. 2) There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with his eyesight..........GM Charlie Dowd and the Connecticut Defenders continue to give fans a huge "bang for their buck." Senior citizens can truly benefit from the many promotions at Dodd Stadium as there are three "Senior Citizen Wednesdays" remaining this season (8/12, 8/26, and 9/2). Fans 55 and older can purchase tickets for just $3 and are allowed to participate in "Seniors Stroll The Bases" following the game. More info can be obtained by visiting the Defenders' website at www.ctdefenders.com ..........This week in sports history, August 10, 1980: The great Jack Nicklaus wins his fifth PGA Championship--shooting a final round 69 at the Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York. It was the 19th major tournament win in the "Golden Bear's" fabulous career and his 68th career victory overall. His four-round total of 274 was SEVEN shots better than runner-up Andy Bean--making for the largest margin of victory in the history of the tournament..........I still think my favorite Chris Berman nickname of all-time is the one given to former outfielder Bernard "Innocent Until Proven" Gilkey..........Newly-enshrined Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson was named after famed singer Ricky Nelson; the former player's full name is Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson. Ah, that now seems to be very appropriate seeing that this "Travelin' Man" played for a whopping NINE different teams over his long, storied career..........Speaking of well-traveled men, how 'bout Todd Donovan of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA Eastern League)--who's played for SEVEN different organizations (Padres, Dodgers, Indians, Orioles, Rangers, A's and Blue Jays) over the past decade or so? If THIS guy doesn't deserve a lucrative endorsement deal from American Tourister or Samsonite, then NO ONE does..........I had the pleasure of interviewing former MLB outfielder Carlos May on "Monday Night Sports Talk" recently--a man who lost his thumb back in 1969 while serving in the Marine Reserves. Luckily, May was able to adjust socially and proceeded to enjoy a fairly productive baseball career thereafter--both here and in Japan. However, it's become very clear that many individuals who've served in Operation Iraqi/Enduring Freedom--including some athletes not as talented as Mr. May--are struggling mightily these days. Enter the VOIEF (Veterans of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom), founded by Kurt Schwab--a fine organization that helps men/women who have fought for our country transition/cope after returning home. More info about donating to this terrific cause/organization can be obtained by visiting www.voief.org or by emailing Mr. Schwab at kschwab@voief.org ..........Great point made by Tim McCarver during last week's Yankees/White Sox game on FOX--talking about pitching success: "Even at its highest level, baseball remains a simple game: STRIKE ONE"..........Answer to trivia question: WILLIE WILSON (59), UL WASHINGTON (40), and JOHN WATHAN (28)..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league first baseman George Canale--who blows out 44 candles on August 11th. Don't remember this native of Memphis? You're forgiven. Canale played just three years in the "bigs" with Milwaukee from 1989-'91--appearing in only 44 games--and he surely didn't make Brewers fans forget about Cecil Cooper. In 73 career at-bats, Canale tallied just 12 hits--thus resulting in a lifetime batting average of just .164. I guess an optimist points out that four of Canale's 12 lifetime hits were home runs--a terrific ratio--and that he also walked a dozen times during his short major league tenure. Best wishes, George..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former major league relief pitcher Luis Quintana--who died recently in West Palm Beach, FL; it was determined that Quintana died of natural causes after being found in his car after it crashed. Quintana appeared in a total of 22 games in 1974 and '75 for the California Angels--going 2-3 with an ERA of 5.03. A native of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Quintana was originally signed by the S.F. Giants back in 1971 as an amateur free agent; he was 57 years old at the time of his death. May Luis Quintana rest in peace.