"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - -7-10-10

*Great cause: Team Hole in the Wall is a terrific attempt/approach to generate funds in support of the mission of Hole in the Wall Camps--the world's largest family of camps for children with life-threatening diseases. Athletes can participate in bike races, marathons, 10K runs, triathlons, and various other events. Participants are given the necessary online tools in order to generate funds for a Hole in the Wall Camp in their area of residence. For more information on how to get involved--or to just make a donation from afar--please visit www.teamholeinthewall.org ..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1991 Cleveland Indians--who finished with a record of 57-105--had only ONE pitcher on the staff who reached double-figures in wins. Can you name this former hurler? Answer to follow.........I saw a photograph the other day of gorgeous actress Sharon Stone leaving a restaurant in Beverly Hills. I'll just say THIS: She's definitely gotten better with age and--as far as I know--did it WITHOUT the help of steroids..........ITEM: Joey Chestnut wins his fourth straight Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest--consuming 54 hot dogs (AND buns) in ten minutes. Column reader David Kramer suggests that I book Chestnut as a guest on my cable TV show "Monday Night Sports Talk." Kramer added, "After all, you could do the interview over the phone--so you won't have to feed him."..........This week in sports history, July 13, 1934: Nearing the end of an incomparable career, the great Babe Ruth hits home run #700--helping the Yankees beat the Tigers 4-2 in Detroit. The 39-year-old legend hit his milestone homer--a two-run shot--off Tigers pitcher Tommy Bridges in the top of the third inning. Ruth--the holder of practically every power-hitting record in history--had reason to believe his all-time HR mark would last for a LONG time: As of 1934, only Lou Gehrig and Rogers Hornsby had reached the 300-HR plateau..........Folks, you haven't lived until you hear Connecticut Tigers (NY-Penn League) P.A. announcer Ed Weyant pronounce the name of Tigers outfielder Chao-Ting Tang before each at-bat--in drawn-out fashion. Priceless, Ed..........Speaking of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest: How 'bout the "Chew-View" camera utilized by ESPN during the telecast--giving the viewer an up-close look from the mouths of contestants? Yeah, I know--ain't technology GREAT? What's next--a "Toe-Cam" in the NFL when kickers attempt field goals?..........Answer to trivia question: CHARLES NAGY--who compiled a record of 10-15 while starting 33 games for his seventh-place Tribe ball club..........ITEM: Detroit Lions team president Tom Lewand is arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in Roscommon County, Michigan. Hey, I'm ALL for throwing the book at drunk drivers. But if found guilty, I'm just wondering if a sympathetic judge in this case (maybe a Lions fan) would consider a more lenient sentence for Lewand--seeing that the man had to witness his team go 42-118 over the past decade..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league outfielder Joe Cannon--who blows out 57 candles on July 13th. A native of North Carolina who attended Pensacola Junior College, Cannon spent just four seasons in the big leagues between 1977 and 1980 as a member of the Astros and Blue Jays--appearing in 148 games. Perhaps the reason why Cannon didn't hang on longer in the majors is THIS: In 227 lifetime at-bats, Cannon could only muster 40 hits--thus rendering him with a career batting average of just .176. He CAN tell his grandchildren that he DID hit one major league home run--as a member of Toronto in 1979. Hey--they all can't be like the "Toy Cannon", Jimmy Wynn, right? Best wishes, Joe..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NFL coach Don Coryell--who died last week in California at the age of 85. After coaching at Whittier College (CA) from 1957 to 1959, Coryell became the architect of the football program at San Diego State where he coached from 1961 to 1972--compiling an impressive record of 104-19-2. Then the pros came calling: He became head coach of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973 and led them to a pair of divisional titles. But he will forever be known for his "Air Coryell" offense as head coach of the San Diego Chargers--which emphasized passing and forced changes in defensive alignments throughout the N.F.L. Altogether, Coryell posted a record of 111-83-1 as a pro head coach; he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. He is survived by a son, daughter, and three grandchildren; he was predeceased by his wife, Aliisa, back in 2008. Rest in peace, Don Coryell.