"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 11-27-10

I used to think that the NASCAR racetrack in Sonoma, CA had a lot of curves--that is until I saw a recent picture of actress Sharon Stone decked out in a red dress at the Mr. Chow restaurant in Beverly Hills..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The lowly 1990-'91 Dallas Mavericks--who finished just 28-54 under coach Richie Adubato--had two guards on the squad who were the team's top scorers. Can you name this talented duo? Answer to follow..........Still think that the economics of college sports hasn't gotten out of control? Michigan State recently gave basketball coach Tom Izzo a $500,000 annual RAISE--increasing his yearly compensation to approximately $3.5 million. When you consider the fact that his RAISE (not salary) is about TEN times more than an average elementary teacher's yearly pay, there's something AWFULLY wrong with our society's priorities, folks..........This week in sports history, November 30, 1974: A capacity crowd at the Los Angeles Coliseum sees the USC football team score a remarkable total of 49 second-half points en route to a 55-24 victory over the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Notre Dame actually led the game by a score of 24-0 with a minute left to play in the first half. However, Anthony Davis--the talented Trojans RB--would go on to score four TD's while QB Pat Haden threw four touchdown passes during this amazing comeback victory. Notre Dame's defense had come into the game ranked #1 nationally--allowing only nine touchdowns in its previous ten games..........ITEM: Calgary Flames forward Brett Sutter is briefly tossed in jail after punching a man outside a bar in Scottsdale, AZ. The good news? Penalty boxes will no longer seem so intimidating to Sutter for the remainder of his NHL career..........O.K.--here goes: University of Maryland faculty researcher Heather Fogg marries former major leaguer Sam Horn, divorces, marries former Brown hockey standout Chris Legg--divorces again--then marries former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn. Fans of the old "Looney Tunes" cartoons would surely delight in her full married name of Heather Fogg Horn Legg Horn..........ITEM: San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker and lovely actress Eva Longoria plan to divorce after it was discovered that Parker had been exchanging very personal text messages with a female friend. My first thought? What should Parker do first--have his priorities examined, have his eyesight examined, or have his HEAD examined?.......... Answer to trivia question: ROLANDO BLACKMAN (19.9 ppg) and DEREK HARPER (19.7)..........Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a college football game played here in the East last weekend, Alfred annihilated NY Maritime 60-0; Alfred scored touchdowns on four of its first five drives and held a 29-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. I'll go out on a limb and say that NO member of the current NY Maritime squad will EVER name any future son "Alfred" or "Al" for fear of having some VERY bad flashbacks/memories in the future ..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former NBA guard Dan Tieman--who blows out 70 candles on November 30th. If the name doesn't ring a bell, it may be due to the fact that Tieman (who attended Thomas More College) played just ONE year in the NBA as a member of the Cincinnati Royals during the 1962-1963 season. His stats weren't pretty, either; Tieman shot 15-for-57 from the field (26%) that year and just 4-for-10 (40%) from the free throw line. Yes, all told, Tom Tieman goes into the NBA record books having scored 34 points in 29 career games--for an average of 1.2 ppg. Hey, they all can't be Oscar Robertson, right? Later in life, Tieman taught and coached at Covington Catholic High School--of which he was a graduate. Best wishes, Tom..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NHL player Gaye Stewart--who passed away recently in Ontario at the age of 87. Stewart played nine seasons in the league between 1942 and 1953 (he also served in the Canadian Navy during that time period) and was a member of two Stanley Cup champion squads while with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He won the league's Calder Cup as Rookie of the Year in 1942-'43 and later led the NHL in goals scored with Toronto during the '45-'46 campaign. Stewart also played with Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Montreal before his playing days were over. Gaye Stewart scored 185 goals during his NHL career and assisted on 159 others for a total of 344 points; may he rest in peace.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 11-20-10

SO LONG, JOE......


Yes, a very special man quietly passed away last weekend--Joe LeMay, Sr. of Ansonia (CT); he died of lung cancer at the age of 78. The name may not be familiar to the average sports fan/loyal reader out there, but he was a man whose positive presence/deeds surely influenced me during my earlier years. He was a neighbor, friend, loyal husband, and a devoted father of five--not to mention a very hard-working, blue-collar individual. Oh, yeah--he was an avid sportsman, too--just one of the many reasons why I liked the guy so much. If I had to describe Mr. LeMay to a stranger, I'd definitely say that he was the "salt-of-the-earth"-type--for sure.

After moving to his neighborhood with my family when I was approximately 11-years-old, Joe went out of his way to make us all feel welcomed; I soon became very close friends with his children and spent a good part of my teenage years being in and around the LeMay household. Joe was an avid sports fan who was a big supporter of the NY Yankees. There were countless times on hot summer evenings when I'd go next door to hang out with his sons in the cool basement of their three-floor dwelling; I could always count on hearing the WPIX telecast--along with the resounding voice of Phil Rizzuto--on the living room television directly above us. And I remember him often butting heads in a playful manner with Al--his youngest son who was an avid fan of the AL East rival Tigers; it was all in fun and Mr. LeMay usually ended their short but fiery debates by kindly complimenting a Detroit player. Joe LeMay was like that--a selfless, pleasant man. I don't recall the man ever becoming angry; I'm sure he did at times, but he never demonstrated any sense of ire while the young, admiring kid from next-door was visiting. Thanks for that, Mr. L.

I also remember Joe being SO supportive of us neighborhood kids' sporting endeavors. We'd use his backyard to play wiffle ball nightly during the summer; he'd always make sure the grass was cut or the swimming pool was skimmed well-before we'd be ready to "take the field." In fact, he KNEW we'd be planning a game each night after dinner and arranged his yard work around OUR schedule in order for us to play until darkness set in. Yes, he was a conscientious man--like few others I've met. Once his manicuring deeds had been completed, Mr. LeMay often became a spectator--sometimes yelling, "Good hit!" as he'd watch the action from the patio area while smoking his pipe and perhaps enjoying a cold beverage. Yeah, "LeMay Stadium" we called it--complete with an outfield fence with rocks as bases. It may have been just a backyard to some, but it was surely a 'home field' to many of us--all due to the efforts of "Head Groundskeeper Joe."

Looking back, Mr. LeMay followed all of the major sports--but he just LOVED to go fishing. In fact, I remember Joe taking me on one of my very first fishing "expeditions" as a young teen--angling off the banks of the Housatonic River one evening during the 70's shortly after fishing season had commenced. I remember being in awe about how much the man knew about rods, reels, hooks, lures, etc. Yes, a fishing pole in Joe LeMay's hands was almost like Rod Carew swinging a baseball bat--it was natural. I recall Mr. LeMay snagging a perch on his line that evening and allowing me to reel it in--remarking, "You got one!!" And he was so devoted to his craft, too; he'd sometimes fish in the early AM--long before any family members had even risen for the day. I surmise that fishing was Mr. LeMay's main source of "down-time" and his way of relaxing; honestly, I truly don't remember the man being all-that-comfortable just sitting around the house back in those days. He'd often be tinkering and doing various home improvement chores; he was a great "handyman"--always busy--but he'd always be sure to take time out to say "hello" to me and ask how my folks were doing if he hadn't seen them in awhile. Again, selfless AND likeable--THAT was Joe LeMay.

Some more fond memories of Mr. Joe LeMay:
*him telling us to "Be Careful!" as we'd play touch football in the road in front of his house
*calling his sons from afar when it was dinnertime as we played tackle football in the snow a few houses away
*grilling "steamers" or a recent "catch" during a backyard barbeque
*perhaps sharing some of that same "catch" with the family cat, Chester
*tossing the keys to his '66 Barracuda to his son, Joe Jr.--kindly allowing a carload of us kids to grab a burger at Hardee's following a long day of sports activities during the summer

I last saw Mr. LeMay at a memorial service for my Mom--following her death three years ago. He had aged somewhat since our last meeting and exhibited a noticeably-slower gait as he paid his respects to his former neighbor. I simply smiled as we shook hands and hugged--bathing myself in some of the aforementioned memories in order to provide some needed comfort; yeah, it worked, too.

My sincere condolences to his wife, Kathy, and the entire LeMay family regarding the passing of a wonderful man. He was simply your "regular Joe"--and just happened to possess the name to go with it. I'll miss your kindness, Mr. LeMay; thanks for being such a positive presence during those formative years. May you rest in peace.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 11-13-10

How 'bout center Brook Lopez of the New Jersey Nets--who missed his first THIRTEEN shots vs. the Orlando Magic in a game last week? I am now convinced that if Lopez had gone sky-diving prior to the game, he would have jumped out of a plane and totally missed the GROUND..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1996-'97 Portland Trail Blazers--who finished 49-33 under coach P.J. Carlesimo--were led in scoring by a player who was a member of NINE different teams over the course of his 14-year NBA career. Can you name this individual? Answer to follow..........While in the supermarket the other day, I came across of package of Johnsonville "Brats" in the meat section. Can someone tell me why I IMMEDIATELY thought of John Madden?..........Just Thinking Out Loud--Question #1: Of the following, which/who is the most unstable: Lady Gaga, the U.S. dollar, Randy Moss, or Isiah Thomas' entire thought process?..........Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a college football game played last weekend in New Jersey, Rowan demolished Western Connecticut 57-0. Just HOW ineffective was the WCU offense in this game? The team rushed 32 times for a total of EIGHTEEN yards--or an average of 0.6 yards per carry. I haven't seen anything THAT ugly since the first pair of Crocs came off the assembly line back in 2002.........This week in sports history, November 16, 1968: Playing on a wet field, Michigan running back Ron Johnson sets a major college rushing record--tallying 347 yards as the Wolverines defeat Wisconsin 34-9. On Michigan's second play from scrimmage, Johnson scampered 35 yards for a touchdown; he would run for four more TD's on this record-setting day--the last one coming from 49 yards out just 20 seconds into the fourth quarter. Johnson's 347-yard effort broke the previous NCAA record of 340 set just six weeks earlier by Eugene "Mercury" Morris of West Texas State..........Answer to trivia question: Guard KENNY ANDERSON--who averaged 17.5 points per game (he also led the team in assists that season with an average of 7.1 apg)..........I'd love to see ex-professional tennis players Ann White and Andrew Castle hook up. If they ever tied the knot, fans of small, square hamburgers would truly delight in her full married name of Ann White Castle..........Yes--how soon we forget: Reader Dan Santoro of Florida points out to me that the 1981 Cincinnati Reds had baseball's BEST overall record during the strike-shortened season--but did NOT make it to the postseason due to the modified playoff scenario that year. Santoro also told me that he's STILL angry at former Reds GM Bob Howsam to this day for trading his favorite player, Tony Perez, following the 1976 season. Love your passion, Dan, but PLEASE let it go in the best interest of your overall cardiac health, O.K.?.........Just Thinking Out Loud--Question #2: Of the following, which/who ages the best: Chateau Margaux wine, Mariano Rivera, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, or actress Denise Richards?.........Happy birthday wishes go out to former NBA center/forward Wayne Cooper--who blows out 54 candles on November 16th. A native of Georgia, Cooper was the Sun Belt Conference's Player of the Year in 1977-'78 while playing at New Orleans; he was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the 2nd round of the '78 NBA draft. Cooper went on to play 14 NBA seasons for five different teams--playing in a total of 984 games. Wayne's best season came in '85-'86 as a member of the Denver Nuggets--a year in which he averaged 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Best wishes, Wayne..........There's been so much written about the passing of George "Sparky" Anderson (and deservedly so) over the past week--one of the great managers of our time and a true Hall of Famer. I remember back in 1976--shortly after receiving my driver's license--making the trip out to Cincinnati to visit some relatives and also see "The Big Red Machine" play the Montreal Expos. I had always been fascinated by the manager with the premature gray hair--yes, small in stature but such a huge presence in any dugout. I'll always feel fortunate to have seen that '76 squad play in person--a team that would go on to win 102 games in the regular season and sweep the postseason en route to another world championship. "Captain Hook" was the guiding force; eight years later he'd win even MORE games in a DIFFERENT league while capturing another championship with Detroit. Bottom line? Whenever you'd hear Sparky Anderson speak about baseball, you just KNEW he was a man who was as passionate about the game as any individual who ever graced a clubhouse. The man simply leaves a wonderful baseball legacy; rest in peace, Sparky Anderson.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 11-6-10

*Terrific cause: The Yale women's hockey team is dedicating next Friday night's game (November 12th vs. RPI) to Mandi Schwartz--who continues her courageous battle vs. cancer. The "White Out for Mandi"--with everyone wearing white--will be used as a fundraiser; no admission will be charged (donations WILL be accepted at the door) as pledges from various donors have been secured based on the attendance total at the Ingalls Rink that evening. The event will also help raise awareness about the need for bone marrow/umbilical cord donors. Mandi is currently in Seattle recovering from a stem cell transplant after battling leukemia for the past couple of years. More info regarding this special event can be obtained by contacting Sam Rubin of the Yale sports publicity staff at (203)432-1456 or by emailing him at sam.rubin@yale.edu ..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1984 Tampa Bay Buccaneers--who finished 6-10 under coach John McKay--were led in rushing yards by a running back who also led the league in rushing attempts. Can you name this former player? Answer to follow..........Now here's a score for you from last weekend's college football action: Gettysburg 61, Susquehanna 50. Yes, the 111 combined points in this shootout was a Centennial Conference record as the two teams combined to rack up a ridiculous total of 1,162 yards. My first thought was simply that I wouldn't expect these teams' defensive coordinators to be in line for any head coaching gig in the very near future. Upon further thought, let me amend that; they BOTH may end up being head coaches soon--yes, in the Suburban Youth Football League in Pennsylvania--if their defensive units don't improve REAL soon..........I used to think that watching Wayne Gretzky skate up and down the ice was a pure thing of beauty. That all changed last weekend when I saw a picture of the stunning dress that actress Eva Mendes was wearing at a Directors Guild of America gala out in Los Angeles..........This week in sports history, November 9, 1946: In a battle between two of college football's offensive powers, #1-ranked Army and #2-ranked Notre Dame play to a surprising 0-0 tie before a capacity crowd at Yankee Stadium. Army (7-0) had come into the game having won 25 games in a row while outscoring its opponents 208-55 so far in the '46 season; Notre Dame had outscored its opposition 177-18 in its five games. The talented Army running back tandem of Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard was held to just 80 yards rushing while Irish quarterback Johnny Lujack was able to complete just six passes during the hard-fought defensive standoff..........Great quote last weekend by WFAN Radio's Richard Neer while talking about N.Y. Giants punter Matt Dodge: "Like Angelina Jolie, he's got a good leg on him."..........Congratulations go out to my good friend Robert "Raven" Kraft of Miami Beach--who has been named a 2010 semifinalist for the Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame due to his "perseverance, determination, and unstoppable spirit." "Raven" has now completed his 8-mile daily beach run for over 13,000 consecutive days (dating back to New Year's Day of 1975)--covering a distance of more than 104,000 miles. The Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame was created in 2006 to recognize unsung heroes who inspire others with their motivation and perseverance. Keep it going, "Raven"; more info on this dedicated man and his unfathomable streak can obtained by logging onto www.ravenrun.net ..........Answer to trivia question: JAMES WILDER--who carried the ball a league-leading 407 times for a total of 1,544 yards..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former NBA guard Anthony Bowie--who blows out 47 candles on November 9th. A native of Tulsa who played at Oklahoma, Bowie spent eight years in the league between 1988 and 1998; he also spent time playing overseas. While in the NBA, Bowie played with the Spurs, Rockets, Magic, and Knicks; he played in a total of 461 games and was a career 82% free-throw shooter. His best individual season came with Orlando in '91-'92--a year when he started 26 games while averaging 14.6 points per contest. Bowie later became a high school coach in Orlando, FL; best wishes, Anthony..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former Vanderbilt basketball coach Roy Skinner--who passed away recently in Nashville of respiratory failure; he was 80. The winningest coach in school history, Skinner compiled a mark of 278-135 as coach of the Commodores; he was a four-time SEC coach of the year. His 1965 team won the school's first SEC title while advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. Skinner was always proud of his home record as his teams went 181-41 at their home gym--the Memorial Coliseum. Skinner also made a name for himself by recruiting Perry Wallace--the league's first African-American scholarship player--who broke the SEC's color barrier back in 1967. May Coach Skinner rest in peace.