"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 10-9-10

*ATTENTION, TENNIS FANS: Tennis Ledger Magazine is now online--a quarterly publication that includes great stories and photos aimed at the true tennis aficionado out there. Publisher Joe McDonald has put together a skilled staff of knowledgeable tennis journalists in order to provide the reader with insightful coverage of the sport on a local and international basis. Fans can experience this new, wonderful website by logging onto www.tennisledger.com ..........TRIVIA QUESTION: In the 1993 ALCS played between the Blue Jays and the White Sox (won by Toronto 4-2), two starting pitchers combined to win all four games for the victors. Can you name this duo? Answer to follow..........Just wonderin': Do you think the two Redskins players who "pancaked" Philly's Michael Vick last weekend--forcing him from the game--are MAJOR dog-lovers?.......... ITEM: Georgia freshman linebacker Demetre Baker is dismissed from the squad after being charged with DUI, underage possession of alcohol, and improper driving; Baker is the TENTH Georgia player to be arrested this year. At this rate, I'm convinced that it's now advantageous for coach Mark Richt to restrict/simplify his recruiting efforts; Richt should do nothing more than hold open tryouts on the grounds of the Johnson State Prison in Wrightsville each summer--located about 90 miles from the Georgia campus..........With names like Ocieka Bakou, Ojatunji Idowu, and Prosper Mbongue-Muna on the University of Albany football roster, I'm just glad I'm not the Great Danes' home stadium public address announcer..........In a recent vote by Yale football players, it was decided that senior linebacker Jesse Reising (Decatur, IL) is "most likely to be U.S. President." Why? Maybe it's because Reising--who will complete Marine Corps Officer Candidate School next year--currently possesses a 3.75 GPA (economics/political science) and is the Bulldogs' (ummm, NOT Georgia) candidate for the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award. Excellent job, Jesse--and best wishes in WHATEVER you "tackle" once your fine college career comes to an end..........This week in sports history, October 12, 1992: During the Redskins' 34-3 Monday night rout of the Denver Broncos, wide receiver Art Monk catches career pass #820--breaking the record for most receptions in NFL history. Seattle Seahawks great Steve Largent--who retired in 1989--held the record previously. Monk's record-setting catch came on a 10-yard sideline pass from Mark Rypien; #820 came on the third straight pass thrown by Rypien to Monk. Monk also extended his streak of catching a pass in a game to 137--third on the all-time list behind Largent (177) and former Cleveland Browns star Ozzie Newsome (150)..........If Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek, and Tim Wakefield had aged HALF as well as a woman named Christie Brinkley, then the Red Sox are STILL playing baseball at the time you're reading this current column..........Answer to trivia question: JUAN GUZMAN (Games 1 & 5) and DAVE STEWART (Games 2 & 6)...........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league pitcher Steve Shirley--who blows out 54 candles on October 12th. The name probably doesn't ring a bell, most likely due to the fact that this native of San Francisco pitched in only ONE big league season--1982 with the Dodgers. Shirley went 1-1 that season with an ERA of 4.26 while appearing in just 11 games. However, Shirley is a member of a unique fraternity; he came to bat just once during his short MLB tenure and SINGLED. Yes, folks, Steve Shirley can always brag that he'll forever remain in the big league record books with a lifetime batting average of 1.000. Best wishes for many more celebrations to come, Steve..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former Central Michigan basketball player/head coach Leonard Drake--who died recently in Evanston, IN after suffering a stroke; he was 56. Drake played at CMU from 1974-1977 and scored 1,338 points in his career--ranking #8 all-time in the school's record book. During his freshman year, Drake hit two free throws with no time remaining on the clock as his team beat Georgetown 77-75 in a first round NCAA Tournament game. During his junior season, Drake averaged over 18 points per game as CMU won a share of the MAC title; he shot 88% from the free-throw line that year--ranking third in the nation. Drake later became CMU's head basketball coach for four seasons--from 1993-'94 through 1996-'97. All told, the former team captain spent 33 years in collegiate athletics--most recently as an assistant coach for the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team. Drake is survived by his wife, Rhonda, a son, Jared, and a daughter, Enjoli; may Leonard Drake rest in peace.