"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 5-29-10

Memories of "The Stadium"


No--it wasn't Shea, the old Yankee one, or even Three Rivers. It was our wiffle ball venue as kids back in the 70's--my next-door neighbor's backyard serving as our nightly "home field" during those warm spring/summer days of yesteryear. Yes--we called it "The Stadium." We'd meet there after dinner EVERY night (I'll admit to eating much too quickly on occasion in order to get there first)--unless a downpour caused streams of water to be flowing down this uneven stretch of real estate that ran slightly downhill. Picture this layout: an unmovable rock serving as home plate--located just a few feet in front of some overgrown forsythia that would prevent balls which were fouled straight back from going into another neighbor's yard. First base was simply the front, right edge of a patio just a few feet from the entrance to Al's house; if Al's younger sister was riding her "Big Wheel" there during any game, she'd be keenly aware of any batted balls stroked in her direction. Second base was ANOTHER rock--slightly larger than "home rock"--located about 30 feet from the outfield fence. Third base? A GARBAGE can that stood near a dilapidated, rusting shed on the edge of an overgrown grass area--serving as the boundary line of yet another neighbor's property; one didn't STEP on third when he arrived there as a simple touch of the receptacle would suffice. And stuck in the very MIDDLE of our treasured "ballpark"? None other than an above-ground swimming pool--so-often the collection area of batted balls that would simply not count and be replayed. The pitcher stood in front of the pool as there was no pitching rubber per se; I believe the unwritten rule was that if you could touch the pool from where you pitched--about 20-25 feet from the batter--you were "legal."

Yes, we all adored our "stadium," too. Any misplaced toys were frowned upon and floating wrappers of any kind were always immediately placed in the nearby "third base receptacle." I also recall the fresh smell of grass soon after Al's Dad had finished mowing our field; that would make the base paths--having been formed simply by our constant playing--show up even better. And that outfield fence? It had brown posts with gnarly wire intertwined throughout. And I remember one day a few of us actually measuring its distance from home plate--with the right field "wall" being the shortest poke; it was just a few strides from the aforementioned patio. To this day, I'm not sure why we didn't display the # of feet from home plate ON the fence itself; all I can surmise is that we didn't have the tools/materials needed at our disposal.

Ah--and the games themselves (which--during school/summer vacation--usually followed an afternoon that had already included shagging fly balls for a couple of hours at the O'Brien Tech field down the street). There were the regulars who participated: Al, Joe, Tom, Jim, Steve, and myself. Al's older brother--another Steve--would be "iffy"; if we needed an extra player--and he wasn't busy playing his LP's or 45's indoors--he'd give us a few innings here and there. Equipment? We usually used the famed Wiffle-brand balls manufactured at the local plant in nearby Shelton--along with the accompanying yellow plastic bats. Often, we'd switch over to plastic balls with seams and NO holes--which would travel much farther but also become DENTED after any solid contact. I recall Jim and I winding black electrical tape around the handles of the bats to give them nothing more than a streamlined, professional look. And we'd all be sure to wear the hat or helmet of our favorite teams at the time, i.e. Al--the Tigers, Jim--the Dodgers, yours truly--the S.F. Giants. To this day, I remember the 'shiny-ness' of those plastic helmets, too--yeah, just like the ones the big-leaguers playing on TV were wearing.

We played until it got dark; the spotlight above the patio was futile in its attempt to provide us enough light to play past 9:00 PM. It was usually the older guys vs. the younger guys--no choosing sides, no bickering. And I recall another unwritten rule we had: no FIRING the ball on the part of the hurler, but no lobbing it, either--just a consistent, fair speed that we were all comfortable with. Wow--what a feeling when one cleared the fence with a "backyard blast." For some reason, I never remember anyone in the field complaining when having to retrieve one hit into my yard or even one landing on an adjacent property--one dotted with HUGE trees along the leftfield line. We really didn't care about the score; we simply played until no one could SEE the ball anymore. Personally, I recall always being disappointed when darkness took over--but also taking joy in the fact that there ALWAYS was a game scheduled the following night at "The Stadium."

We'd all then pile into a car driven by one of the older guys--our destination being the Hardee's Restaurant on Route 34. Large sodas were always in order for about a half-dozen thirsty kids who had surely experienced their collective dose of baseball for the day--although tomorrow STILL couldn't arrive fast enough. Funny--the remnants of "The Stadium" are still located on a street known as Bruns Rd.; however, as an adult, it has now shifted to a place fondly known as Memory Lane. Luckily, memories can never be torn down or fade away; they just continue to bring joy.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 5-22-10

I used to think that watching "Dr. J"--Julius Erving--dunking a basketball was a pure thing of beauty. That all changed when I saw a recent picture of the red gown actress Salma Hayek was wearing at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival..........TRIVIA QUESTION: Michael Jordan possesses the all-time highest point total in an NBA post-season--scoring 759 in 1992. Can you name the player who has the SECOND-highest point total in a single post-season? Answer to follow..........Lazzari's "Cheap Win of the Week": This one definitely goes to L.A. Dodgers reliever Jonathan Broxton--who recently entered a game in the ninth inning vs. Milwaukee with a 3-1 lead. Broxton proceeded to give up FOUR hits and two runs--thus blowing a save opportunity. However, he STILL picks up a "W" as the Dodgers score four runs in the bottom of the inning (on an Andre Ethier home run) during a 7-3 victory..........Here goes: Former St. John's basketball player Kia Wright marries ex-NBA-er Phil Ford, divorces, marries Univ. of the Pacific outfielder Kyle Dodge--divorces again--then marries Metro St. tennis player Mattia Ferrari. Auto lovers everywhere would delight in her full married name of Kia Ford Dodge Ferrari..........This week in sports history, May 25, 1975: The Golden State Warriors win their first NBA title in 19 years--beating the Washington Bullets 96-95 to complete a four-game sweep (only the third in the 29-year history of the league). Behind by 14 points earlier in the game, the Warriors came roaring back as guard Butch Beard scored the go-ahead basket with 1:45 remaining and also made a pair of late free-throws to ice the victory. Rick Barry led the winners with 20 points while Beard chipped in with 16; Phil Chenier of the Bullets led all scorers with 26..........ITEM: 13-year old/8th grade honor student Brady Frazier dies after being struck by a line drive off an aluminum bat during practice at his school in upstate New York--thus continuing to fuel the metal vs. wooden bat debate. Look, folks, I understand a tragedy like this can happen when EITHER type of bat is used--but can we STOP with the pathetic garbage that there is NO difference between the two when it comes to the way the ball exits off each? I've used both as a player and coach; some of my fellow coaching colleagues actually laugh when they pick up one of these new metal bats--while collectively referring to them as "rocket launchers." Yes, one can talk about cost effectiveness when comparing the two--but please STOP with the ridiculous bunk that there is no difference when it comes to safety; I challenge the political dolts out there who defend metal bats to go and COACH a few years and then report back to me. Finally, I recently had an Eastern Connecticut college player on my cable show--who's played with both types--and asked him about the difference. He just smiled at me and simply said, "Like night and day."..........This just in: While eating cereal recently, Nick Johnson of the N.Y. Yankees reportedly lost a tooth when the spoon he was using knocked the "pearly white" to the floor. While bending down to retrieve it, Johnson strained an oblique muscle and pulled a hamstring. Finally, while putting the spoon in the dishwasher, Johnson cut his index finger, jammed his right thumb, and sprained his wrist; he remains "day-to-day"..........Answer to trivia question: HAKEEM OLAJUWON--who scored 725 points in 1995 as a member of the Houston Rockets..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league outfielder Will Pennyfeather--who blows out 42 candles on May 25th. A native of Perth Amboy, NJ, Pennyfeather played parts of just three seasons with the Pirates from 1992-1994--and didn't exactly make anyone forget Dave Parker. In 46 at-bats over the course of his brief career, Pennyfeather tallied just nine hits for a lifetime batting average of .196--a few points below the famed "Mendoza Line." Hey--he CAN tell his grandchildren someday that he drove in a pair of runs (his career total) in 1993, right? Best wishes, Will..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NFL linebacker Nick Rogers--who died recently in a single-vehicle car accident in Georgia at the age of 30. A former star at Georgia Tech (where he earned a management degree in 2003), Rogers spent four seasons in the NFL between 2002 and 2005 as a member of the Vikings, Packers, Colts, and Dolphins; he also played for Colorado of the Arena Football League in 2008. After his playing days came to an end, Rogers opened a barber shop and also rehabbed houses with his father. Rogers had married his longtime girlfriend Kia just a month before his tragic death; may Nick Rogers rest in peace.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 5-15-10

So Long, Mr. Harwell


The Detroit Tigers happened to be out of town this past May 4th--playing at the new Target Field in Minnesota. Soon came the seventh-inning stretch and a picture of a smiling Ernie Harwell graced the stadium's bright, new big screen. The news was then announced--though many fans were already privy to the inevitable: the Hall of Fame Tigers broadcast legend had just lost his months-long battle with inoperable cancer. The 39,000 fans in attendance responded with a warm, standing ovation; some of them wiped away tears while younger patrons--perhaps not too familiar with the man--just KNEW some type of honorary tribute was still in order. Yeah, the Tigers didn't just lose a game that evening; I guess the loss of a legend always has a bit more sting to it than an "L" in the standings.

A sportscaster who was acquired by the Brooklyn Dodgers for a catcher in 1948, Ernie Harwell went on to spend 42 of his 55 broadcasting years with the Detroit Tigers--his sweet, Southern diction gracing the Motor City over the course of five glorious decades. It's extremely difficult to describe what made Mr. Harwell great; I guess legends do that on occasion to us admiring scribes. But let me try: he was easygoing, smooth, and his voice was unmistakable; fellow Hall of Famer Vin Scully simply used the words "gentle" and "caring" in describing a man whose catch phrases enthralled even the most casual of baseball fans. When radio listeners/TV viewers heard the words "LOOOOONG GONE!" (home run) or "TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!" (double play) while Ernie Harwell worked a broadcast, they KNEW these were coming from a man who simply loved the game of baseball. Nope--nothing forced, nothing meant to be self-serving, and never any self-promoting "shtick" from one Mr. Harwell. It was just one man demonstrating the love of his craft while relaying info to an audience who truly loved him back--probably more than he ever realized.

Oh, what a thrill on those rare occasions in the past when I'd be watching a televised "game of the week" and be treated to a live 'look in' on a Tigers game for some particular reason--and hear Ernie Harwell describing the action in a manner nothing short of magical. He possessed the type of demeanor and delivery that made you FEEL like he was your friend; yeah, what a gift. And he was magical OUT of the booth, too. Baseball writer/rules consultant Rich Marazzi on Harwell: "I first met Ernie at Yankee Stadium around 1982 as a rookie writer and he made me feel like a million dollars. He was so friendly and it made me proud that he always called me by my first name. He was baseball royalty--and I was privileged to know him." Shelly Riley--a contributor to Seamheads.com who was recently present on a day when Harwell would lie in internment at Comerica Park--added this: "Ernie was a man of the people--an everyone’s man. Regardless of whether you had ever physically met him or not, you felt as if you had a close personal connection to him. Losing Ernie was like losing a grandparent; we all knew his death was coming, but no one wanted to admit it." Finally, Tony DeAngelo--my co-host on CTV-14's "Monday Night Sports Talk"--remembered Harwell this way: "Just to hear him say 'Gary Roenicke was left standing at that curveball like the house by the side of the road and watched it go by'--that told me everything I needed to know about Ernie. He brought such a color and respect to the game; when you heard the voice of Ernie Harwell, you knew you were listening to a special event."

I never had the opportunity to meet Ernie Harwell personally, but was lucky enough to interview him last year on ESPN Radio's "Inside Yankee Baseball" shortly after the death of former Tigers pitcher Mark Fidrych. He talked fondly about his memories of "The Bird"--graciously answering me with the same warmth that had engulfed so many others over his remarkable lifetime. He was real, he was genuine--and for those few cherished minutes became MY friend; it would be from THAT day forward--after experiencing his wonderful persona over the airwaves--that I'd always refer to him as "the GREAT Ernie Harwell." Yes, I'll always treasure the opportunity I had to converse with a true "journalistic giant" whose personality made me feel like we were equals; to him, it was just two guys talking baseball. Thanks for that, Ernie.

Currently, a life-size statue of Ernie Harwell graces the entrance to Detroit's Comerica Park; the press box, called the "Ernie Harwell Media Center," now stands as a tribute to a man--or should I say "friend to many”--whose contributions to sports journalism surely remain beyond the scope of one particular weekly column. After calling his last game back in 2002, part of Harwell's final words to his listeners were as follows: "It's time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I'd much rather say hello--hello to a new adventure. I'm not leaving, folks--I'll still be with you."

Yes, Mr. Harwell--goodbyes ARE sad--so I'll just say "So long" for now. And yes--you're STILL not leaving--as your legacy assures that you'll always be in the hearts and minds of many.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 5-8-10

Just came across a picture of SI swimsuit model Marisa Miller attending the Kentucky Derby last weekend--wearing a lovely dress and a beautiful wide-brimmed hat typically worn by women at Churchill Downs. Have to admit--my first reaction was wondering if she was in the market for an aging 'stablemate'..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1989 Chicago Cubs--who finished 93-69 under manager Don Zimmer--had three starting pitchers who won 16 or more games apiece. Can you name these individuals? Answer to follow..........N.Y. Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson recently told the New York Post that his choice of dinner guests would be Denzel Washington, Martin Lawrence, and Oprah Winfrey. I'm sorry, but putting chivalry aside and taking bank accounts into consideration, Oprah picks up the entire restaurant tab in this case--and also agrees to pay college tuition for any future members of the Granderson, Washington, AND Lawrence families..........This week in sports history, May 10, 1970: The Boston Bruins win their first Stanley Cup championship in 29 years--winning 4-3 in overtime to complete a four-game sweep of the St. Louis Blues. Boston's winning goal came 40 seconds into overtime as defenseman Bobby Orr deflected a pass from Derek Sanderson past Blues' goalie Glenn Hall--sending the 14,835 fans at Boston Garden into a celebratory frenzy..........ITEM: University of Georgia backup punter Trent Dittmer is arrested on a public intoxication charge; offensive lineman Joshua Parrish is arrested a few days later for making a fake ID and underage possession of alcohol. I am now TOTALLY convinced that this school has reached the point where it should offer a fully-credited course called "Avoiding Jail"--and make it mandatory for any "student athlete" who steps on a gridiron..........**WARNING--DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH: I like Ryan Howard of the Phillies a lot, but try to "digest" these #'s, folks. Over his career, he's averaged about 600 at-bats per season. Taking that into consideration--and based on the 5-year, $125 million extension he recently signed--Howard will soon be earning close to $42,000 for EACH at-bat through the year 2016. Rolaids, anyone?..........Just thinking: If Appalachian St. track coach April Smith married former big league catcher Milt May, divorced, then married East Carolina martial arts instructor Charles June, she'd then be known as April May June..........Another reason why I'm perturbed at Mr. Eldrick Woods? From this day forward, every time I'm reminded of REO Speedwagon's album Hi Infidelity, I'll most likely think of TIGER--and not about the terrific selection of songs on that compilation..........Answer to trivia question: GREG MADDUX (19), MIKE BIELECKI (18), and RICK SUTCLIFFE (16)..........Great stuff: While on the radio last week, N.Y. Mets broadcaster Howie Rose said he had just spoken to former pitcher Jim Kaat about pitch counts and the difference between the pitcher of today vs. the one of a past generation. Kaat told Rose that--during his day--the value of a hurler's particular outing wasn't quite known until the following day because it was simply performance-based--NOT pitch-based..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league outfielder Jerry Martin--who blows out 61 candles on May 11th. A native of South Carolina who attended Furman, Martin played 11 seasons in the "bigs" between 1974 and 1984--hitting a modest .251 lifetime. Playing for five different teams during his MLB tenure, Martin hit 85 home runs lifetime with almost HALF of them coming during the 1979 and 1980 seasons (while with the Cubs)--when he hit 19 and 23 respectively. Sadly, he was one of four members of the 1983 K.C. Royals who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor cocaine charges and was sentenced to 90 days in a federal penitentiary; he later served as a minor league bench coach in the Philadelphia organization. Here's wishing you well, Jerry...........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NBA player Kevin Restani--who died recently of a heart attack at the age of 58. A terrific-shooting forward who played at the University of San Francisco, Restani spent eight seasons in the NBA as a member of the Bucks, Kings, Spurs, and Cavaliers. His best NBA season came in 1979-'80 when he averaged 10.7 points per game while in San Antonio; he later played professionally in Italy. In recent years, he spent time as a high school counselor and substitute teacher. May Kevin Restani rest in peace.