"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 3/5/11

Of the following individuals, whose name has been mentioned the MOST lately--giving new meaning to the term "ad nauseum": Lady Gaga, Carmelo Anthony, Lindsay Lohan, or Isiah Thomas?..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1990-'91 New York Rangers--who finished 36-31-13 under coach Roger Neilson--had four players on the squad who tallied 25 or more goals apiece. How many of these players can you name? Answer to follow..........Recognition is in order for Eastern CT St. Univ. basketball player Jamie Kohn of Columbia (CT)--who has become the program's first selection to the CoSIDA Capital One College Division Academic All-District I Team. Currently a junior, Kohn is now eligible for the College Division All-America Team--which will be announced soon. Having had the opportunity to coach this special young man at the middle-school level, I can attest to his excellence both on AND off the court; it was never a question if Jamie would succeed--it was simply to what degree. You've made many people extremely proud, Jamie Kohn..........Speaking of Carmelo Anthony--I'm still trying to figure out who is currently the "First Lady of NY": Sandra Lee--love interest of Gov. Andrew Cuomo--or LaLa Vazquez?..........This week in sports history, March 8, 1937: While in the hospital recovering from a leg injury, hockey great Howie Morenz suffers a fatal heart attack at age 34--thus ending the life of one of the NHL's all-time best players. Morenz had been hurt back on January 28th--when he was checked into the boards during a game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks. Morenz started his career in 1923-'24 with the Montreal Canadiens; he led them to three Stanley Cup championships and scored 472 points during his 14-year career. A three-time winner of the Hart Trophy (MVP), Morenz also captured two scoring titles and was the league's biggest gate attraction during his early years with Montreal..........Looking for an AFFORDABLE way to enjoy professional baseball in 2011? Season tickets are now available for the upcoming CT Tigers (NY-Penn League) season. For the team's 38 home games at beautiful Dodd Stadium, premium box seats are $325 per seat while reserved boxes are $250. Season ticket holder benefits include a preseason "meet and greet" barbecue with players and coaches along with a 10% discount on merchandise in the Tigers Gift Shop. To reserve your season tickets, call (860) 887-7962 or email the team at info@cttigers.com ..........I suggest that some NBA team have an upcoming "Charlie Sheen Night." Free courtside seats will be awarded to the first 50 guys wearing ugly hats who stagger up to the ticket window with blondes on both arms..........Answer to trivia question: MIKE GARTNER (49), JOHN OGRODNICK (31), DARREN TURCOTTE (26), and BERNIE NICHOLLS (25)..........More good news at ECSU: Congratulations also go out to Eastern Connecticut State University's Stephanie Noheimer, a senior physical education major from Willimantic (CT), who was recently selected as recipient of the 2011 Holly E. Zimmerman Memorial Award. The award is presented to commemorate the spirit and love of the late Holly Zimmerman, a former ECSU athlete, and is given to an individual who possesses Zimmerman's qualities such as loyalty, thoughtfulness, and academic determination. Noheimer has lettered in indoor and outdoor track at Eastern since transferring from Rhode Island College in 2009. A health education minor, Noheimer carries an overall 3.90 GPA and was recently honored between games of a Little East Conference basketball doubleheader. Excellent work, Stephanie..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former NBA guard Litterial Green--who blows out 41 candles on March 7th. A native of Mississippi who played at Georgia, Green was a member of four different teams during his short, five-year career--his last season coming in 1998-'99 with Cleveland. One thing that Green should NOT have done during his NBA playing days was attempt to shoot from "downtown." In 26 lifetime three-point attempts, Green connected on just TWO--resulting in a career percentage of just .077. Hey--they all can't be Ray Allen, right? Green also spent time playing in the CBA in-between his NBA stops and also played overseas from 1999-2002. Here's wishing you many more celebrations to come, Litterial; best wishes..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former Brooklyn Dodgers infielder Tony Malinosky--who died a few weeks ago in California at the age of 101. Yes, at the time, he was the oldest former living MLB player--having appeared in 35 games while hitting .228 for the team during the 1937 season. Sadly, his career was cut short due to a knee injury. He later served in the U.S. Army and saw action in the Battle of the Bulge. In a touching ceremony, Malinosky was honored at Dodger Stadium back in 2009 when he turned 100. You may have had a short career, Tony, but you surely enjoyed a long run at life. May Mr. Malinosky rest in peace.

"Lazzari's Sports RoundUp" - - - - 2/26/11

Congratulations go out to all involved at Bassick (CT) High School in the production of "The Pride of the Lions"--a student-made documentary; it has been accepted to the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France this coming May. The film chronicles the plight of the school’s football and soccer teams--both which play without home fields. Having had the opportunity to view this fine work--courtesy of football coach Frank Marcucio--I can attest to its quality and emotional appeal. It is also scheduled to be screened in a Las Vegas film festival in March, in Los Angeles in May, and at a Miami festival in September. My readers can view it by logging onto www.timesunion.com and simply searching for "The Pride of the Lions." Great work, Bassick High..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1997-'98 Indiana Pacers--who finished 58-24 under coach Larry Bird--had FOUR players on the squad who each shot more than 85% from the free-throw line. How many of these players can you name? Answer to follow..........Yes, the Sports Illustrated 2011 Swimsuit Edition arrived last week. All I'll say is THIS: Page 186, guys--page 186..........I BADLY miss Dave Zinkoff, World B. Free, 'Dr. J.', and the WHOLE Philadelphia 76er/Spectrum thing of the late 70's..........ITEM: White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle says he and his wife sometimes rooted for Eagles quarterback/slime-ball Michael Vick to be injured during the 2010 season as payback for Vick's mistreatment of dogs. Put it this way: I'd be the LAST person to wish injury/bad health on ANYONE. But one begins to understand Buehrle's mindset if you consider this: If Vick were to, say, separate a shoulder/blow out a knee during a future game, would that injury even REMOTELY qualify as revenge/justice--seeing that this punk has already murdered/tortured countless animals? Hmmmmm. Oh--but they're "only" dogs, right?..........This week in sports history, March 1, 1988: Wayne Gretzky becomes the NHL's all-time assists leader--feeding the puck to Jari Kurri for a first period goal during the Edmonton Oilers' 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. "The Great One's" record-setting assist--the 1,050th of his magnificent career--came in just his 681st game; it took previous record-holder Gordie Howe 1,767 games to amass the former mark of 1,049. Gretzky's age at the time of this immense milestone? Just 27-years-old..........Milestone: Last weekend, Eastern CT St. Univ. women's basketball coach Denise Bierly became the school's winningest coach in the program's 40-year history. She won her 333rd game (vs. Southern Maine)--breaking the previous record of 332 held by Bob Miller (1974-1993). Now in her 17th year, Bierly trails only legendary baseball coach Bill Holowaty (1,319) and former women's volleyball coach Floretta Crabtree (616) for most wins in the history of ECSU athletics. Congratulations, Denise..........Answer to trivia question: CHRIS MULLIN (.939), REGGIE MILLER (.868), TRAVIS BEST (.855), and FRED HOIBERG (.855)..........The following still remains one of my favorite sports quotes of all-time--offered by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda in Baseball Digest back in February of 1978: "I don't know how old Vic Davalillo and Manny Mota are, but someone told me they were both waiters at the Last Supper." ..........Congrats also go out to Aleca Hughes--a junior forward on the Yale women's hockey team--who has been named a finalist for the 2011 BNY Mellon Wealth Management Hockey Humanitarian Award. This award seeks to recognize hockey players at the college level who truly give back to their communities in immense ways; she was one of eight finalists from a pool of 25 nominees nationwide. Aleca has been very instrumental in raising awareness of the need for blood marrow donors along with raising funds for her teammate Mandi Schwartz--who has been battling cancer for more than two years. Aleca will also earn her third ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team selection this season--posting a 3.50 cumulative GPA in the classroom. Having interviewed this special gal on CTV-14's "Monday Night Sports Talk," I can attest to a person whose excellence reaches FAR beyond the hockey rink. Excellent work, Aleca..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former NBA guard Dwayne Polee--who blows out 48 candles on March 2nd. A high school star in L.A. who played at Pepperdine, Polee has the distinction of appearing in just ONE NBA game--which happened during the '86-'87 season with the Clippers. In that game, Polee picked up three personal fouls in just SIX minutes--yes, one for every two minutes of play (perhaps one of the highest fouls-per-minutes-played ratios in history). Oh--he did score two points that day--on one-for-four shooting. Polee has been USC's director of basketball operations since 2007; best wishes, Dwayne..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NFL defensive back Dave Duerson--who was found dead in his Florida home last week; he was 50. A native of Indiana who played at Notre Dame, Duerson was a third-round pick of the Bears in the '83 NFL draft; he made five interceptions during Chicago's '85 Super Bowl season--playing on one of the best defensive units ever assembled. Duerson also played with the N.Y. Giants in 1990 before finishing his career in Phoenix in 1993. While with the Bears, Duerson made four straight Pro-Bowls during the 80's; may he rest in peace.

"Lazzari's Sports RoundUp" - - - - 2/19/11

*As promised--Part II of "Game, Set, Match!":

I'll match up "Grey's Anatomy" star Sandra Oh with former big league pitcher Butch Henry. If they ever tied the knot, old candy lovers would delight in her married name of Sandra Oh Henry..........LPGA golfer Wendy Ward hooks up with former Middlebury College (VT) wide receiver Tom Cleaver. If they ever got hitched, fans of "Leave It To Beaver" would surely delight in her married name of Wendy Ward Cleaver..........Former SUNY-Fredonia basketball player Danielle Bleecker hooks up with MLB pitcher Huston Street. If they married, lovers of NY's Greenwich Village would delight in her married name of Danielle Bleecker Street..........LPGA golfer Meredith Duncan hooks up with ex-Iowa State track athlete Neil Hines. If they ever tied the knot, cake lovers would surely savor her married name of Meredith Duncan Hines..........LPGA golfer Teresa Lu marries former University of Prince Edward Island soccer player Chris Diamond, divorces, then marries former major league infielder Mike Phillips. Fans of the popular "La Bamba" actor would surely delight in her full married name of Teresa Lu Diamond Phillips..........LPGA golfer Alena Sharp marries PGA golfer D.A. Points. There'd be nothing "dull" about her full married name: Alena Sharp Points..........Former Lock Haven University track star Sandy Ritz marries Hall of Fame pitcher Steve Carlton, divorces, marries PGA golfer Duffy Waldorf--divorces again--then marries former big league outfielder Dave Hilton. Lovers of expensive hotels would delight in her married name of Sandy Ritz Carlton Waldorf Hilton.........Former Lewis & Clark College basketball player Gwen Forrest hooks up with PGA golfer Scott Gump. If they ever walked down the aisle, fans of Tom Hanks' flicks would surely delight in her married name of Gwen Forrest Gump..........Former FDU basketball player Tommica Woods marries ex-NFL linebacker Gerald Irons, divorces, marries NFL WR Donald Driver--divorces again--then marries MLB manager Eric Wedge. Golf equipment manufacturers would surely delight in her full name of Tommica Woods Irons Driver Wedge..........LPGA golfer Brandie Burton walks down the aisle with former NBA player Terry Cummings. Fans of The Guess Who would surely delight in the married name of this "American Woman": Brandie Burton Cummings..........If pop singer Pink married former major league pitcher Jim Panther, could she then be referred to as Pink Panther?.........Pop singer Jewel marries former big league outfielder Terry Puhl, divorces, marries Champions Tour golfer Doug Tewell--divorces again--then marries former major league pitcher Vern Ruhle. Could we then call her Jewel Puhl Tewell Ruhle?..........Former women's college basketball player Ann Ching marries ex-tennis champion Michael Chang--divorces--then marries former world-ranked badminton player Andy Chong. She'd then be playing pick-up games with the name of Ann Ching Chang Chong..........Tennis star Lindsay Davenport marries former big league pitcher Frank Linzy, divorces, then marries former Rider University track star Justin Lindsey. She'd be gracing the courts with the repetitive married name of Lindsay Linzy Lindsey..........LPGA golfer Brooke Tull marries former Le Moyne College basketball player Sid Pond, divorces, marries former big league catcher Steve Lake--divorces again--then marries singer Billy Ocean. She'd be roaming fairways with the water-themed name of Brooke Pond Lake Ocean..........WNBA player Betty Lennox marries former track star Carl Lewis, divorces, marries Coast Guard football coach Bill George--divorces again--then marries former NFL RB Chuck Foreman. Fans of the heavyweight ranks would enjoy her full name of Betty Lennox Lewis George Foreman..........Tennis player Venus Williams marries Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars, divorces, marries former Virginia high school quarterback Jon Jupiter--divorces again--then marries sportswriter/author Terry Pluto. Astronomy buffs would take note of her full married name of Venus Mars Jupiter Pluto..........LPGA Hall of Famer Betsy King marries NHL'er Joey Crabb. Seafood lovers everywhere would surely love her married name of Betsy King Crabb..........Former Hillsdale College track star Trudy Chase marries former NHL goalie Kelly Hrudey, divorces, marries former USC quarterback John David Booty--divorces again--then marries golfer Charles Coody. She's then known as Trudy Hrudey Booty Coody.......... Pop singer Olivia Newton-John marries former big league infielder Bill Stein--divorces--then marries Champions Tour golfer Chip Beck. Of Mice and Men fans would surely delight in her full name of Olivia Newton-John Stein Beck..........Women's tennis player Virginia Ruano Pascual walks down the aisle with former White Sox infielder Mike Squires. Fans of the old ABA would love her new name: Virginia Squires..........Compliments of my good friend Wayne Norman of WILI AM radio: If ex-UCONN athletes Mel Thomas and Terry Caulley were to ever marry and produce a child, could we then call their offspring a "Mel an' Caulley baby"?..........Aforementioned Mel Thomas walks down the aisle with former big league outfielder/World Series hero Kirk Gibson. "Lethal Weapon" fans would surely delight in her married name of Mel Gibson..........Finally, former Canadian college basketball player Jamie Born walks down the aisle with former NBA guard World B. Free. Fans of a former on-screen, orphaned lioness named Elsa (and of Andy Williams' music) would enjoy her married name of Jamie Born Free.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 2/12/11

Over the years, I've been known to let my mind wander at times while writing about sports--trying to creatively interest the reader and possibly produce a smile/giggle. It was probably back in 2004 when the "Lazzari Matchmaking Dept." made its debut in this column; when it's featured, some laugh and some call it "corny"--while Valley Times sports editor Bill Pucci continually reminds me that I simply have "too much time on my hands" in order come up with these "tidbits." In any case, as writer's block presents itself during the doldrums of winter, I've decided to look back at some "athletic matches" that have appeared in this column and bundle them together for the reader over the next couple of weeks. Here's Part I of what we'll call "Game, Set, Match!":

LPGA golfer Leslie Spalding marries former pitcher Scott McGregor, divorces, marries former Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson--divorces again--then marries former Expos outfielder Ron Calloway. Sporting goods manufacturers would delight greatly in her full name of Leslie Spalding McGregor Wilson Calloway..........LPGA golfer Sally Little marries former Georgia Tech basketball player Jarrett Jack--divorces him--then marries former major leaguer Bob Horner. Nursery rhyme aficionados would delight in her full name of Sally Little Jack Horner..........Actress Tracey Gold hooks up with former NBA player Kareem Rush. If they ever tied the knot, miners in California would delight in her married name of Tracey Gold Rush..........Former WNBA player Nykesha Sales hooks up with former big-league pitcher Robert Person. If they ever tied the knot, retailers everywhere would delight in her new name of Nykesha Sales Person.......LPGA golfer Rosie Jones marries former major leaguer Steve Hosey--divorces--then marries former NFL linebacker Jeff Posey. She'd be walking around golf courses with the catchy name of Rosie Hosey Posey..........Supermodel Kathy Ireland marries ex-Tulsa DB Anthony Germany, divorces, marries former big league pitcher Mark Portugal--divorces again--then marries ex-Eagles place-kicker Todd France. She'd be walking around with the "worldly" name of Kathy Ireland Germany Portugal France..........LPGA golfer Birdie Kim marries former Air Force swimmer Evan Parr--divorces--then marries New York-based sportscaster Ian Eagle. She'd be roaming golf courses with the catchy, appropriate name of Birdie Parr Eagle..........LPGA golfer Sally Little ties the knot (again) with MLB pitcher Brandon League. Young ballplayers everywhere would be delighting in her new married name of Sally Little League..........Yoko Ono marries former distance runner Henry Rono, divorces, then marries former NFL quarterback Steve Bono. Her late husband John would have been proud of her rhyming ability as she'd be roaming the streets of Manhattan with the name of Yoko Ono Rono Bono..........If Brown University volleyball coach Diane Short had once married former Olympic champion Al Oerter--divorced--then married PGA golfer John Cook, patrons of "greasy spoon" diners everywhere would have delighted in her married name of Diane Short Oerter Cook..........Australian basketball player Penny Taylor hooks up with outfielder Jason Lane. If they ever decided to tie the knot, fans of the Beatles would delight in her married name of Penny Lane..........Former Olympic swimmer Summer Sanders hooks up with N.O. Saints quarterback Drew Brees. If they ever married, fans of Seals and Crofts would delight in her married name of Summer Brees.........Tennis commentator Mary Carillo marries former NFL running back Floyd Little, divorces, then marries former big league catcher Steve Christmas. Those who celebrate the Epiphany would delight as she'd be sporting the full, married name of Mary Little Christmas..........Former UCLA water polo star Robin Beauregard marries ex-NBA guard Rory Sparrow, divorces, marries skateboarding king Tony Hawk--divorces again--then marries former major league pitcher Mike Parrott. Countless members of the National Audubon Society would love her full name of Robin Sparrow Hawk Parrott..........Former USC volleyball star April Ross marries former big league outfielder Carlos May, divorces, then marries former NFL linebacker Cato June. Lovers of springtime would then delight in her full name of April May June..........LPGA golfer Tammie Green marries former NFL center Forrest Blue, divorces, marries ex-NFL kick returner Mel Gray--divorces again--then ties the knot with former NBA coach Larry Brown. She'd be roaming around the links with the "colorful" name of Tammie Green Blue Gray Brown..........Ex-Mississippi State soccer player Stephanie Dallas marries PGA golfer Woody Austin, divorces, marries former NFL running back Wendell Tyler--divorces again--then marries former NBA guard Allan Houston. Lovers of the Texas landscape would delight in her full married name of Stephanie Dallas Austin Tyler Houston..........Finally, female wrestler Hsiao-Wei Hung of Taiwan marries former Chicago Cubs draft pick Cameron Jury. Trial/courtroom drama lovers would surely enjoy her married name of Hsiao-Wei Hung Jury.

More to come next week, folks........

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 2/5/11

I recently spoke with Leigh Torbin--who works in the athletic department at Central Florida--about the great "Pistol" Pete Maravich; the two of us share in our admiration of this incomparable individual--a man taken from this world much too soon. Torbin: "People just have no idea how good he was. No idea at all. 44 points per game (in college) without a three point line and maybe the best passing ability ever. I've been asked before about athletes I'd like to go back in time to see and the kid with the floppy socks at LSU is always on the list." Amen, Leigh..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1993-'94 Dallas Mavericks--who finished a pathetic 13-69 under coach Quinn Buckner--DID have two players on the team who averaged more than 19 points per game apiece. Can you name these two individuals? Answer to follow..........WFAN Radio's Richard Neer--speaking about the NFL Pro Bowl last Sunday prior to the game: "You're basically watching flag football today."..........Speaking of the aforementioned Pete Maravich: Can you imagine if Dick Vitale was doing color commentary during Maravich's college days at LSU--and how many times he'd have to say, "ARE YOU SERIOUS?????" each time 'The Pistol' made a spectacular play?..........I saw a picture the other day of lovely actress Jessica Alba wearing a sparkling, form-fitting dress at a Vogue dinner in Paris. Sorry, sports fans--some things ARE prettier than a Ray Allen jump shot..........This week in sports history, February 8, 1987: 30-year-old Nancy Lopez shoots a two-over-par 74 in the final round of the Sarasota Classic--good enough to claim victory and the winner's prize of $30,000. Lopez finished with a seven-under total of 281 for the tournament--finishing ahead of Kathy Baker and Anne Marie Palli. The victory was the 35th of Lopez's outstanding career--automatically qualifying her for the LPGA Hall of Fame. She would become eligible for induction four months later--after she completed her tenth year on the LPGA tour. Ironically, Nancy's milestone victory came on the same Florida course where she won her very first tournament back in 1978..........I'm not sure what's been more unstable over the past year or two--the life of actor Charlie Sheen or the New York Mets' financial situation..........Answer to trivia question: JIM JACKSON (19.2 ppg) and JAMAL MASHBURN (19.2 ppg)..........Congratulations go out to three members of the Post University (CT) women's soccer team--who have been named to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) All-Academic team for the THIRD time. Elizabeth Johnson (3.65 GPA, Sports Management), Alison Monroe (3.90, Psychology), and Rachael Shivers (3.91, Management) all achieved this remarkable honor. As seniors, they have maintained a 3.50 GPA throughout all four years. Excellent job, ladies. Altogether, Post had 15 student-athletes (of the 151 total athletes from the 14 conference schools/fall athletic season) make this year’s team. Yes--extremely refreshing to see college athletes get it done both in AND out of the classroom..........I still say that if Brett Favre had aged HALF as well as Brooke Shields, the VIKINGS are playing vs. the Steelers this weekend in Super Bowl XLV..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former NBA forward Derek Strong--who blows out 43 candles on February 9th. A native of Los Angeles who played at Xavier, Strong surely kept his bags packed during his NBA days--playing for a total of SIX different teams over his ten-year career. Strong played in a total of 456 games while scoring 3,088 points; perhaps his best season came in 1997-'98 with Orlando when he averaged 12.7 ppg along with 7.4 rpg. After his playing days were over, Strong became a professional stock car driver and owner of Strong Racing. Best wishes, Derek, for many more birthdays to come..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former major league player/manager Steve Boros--who died a few weeks ago in Florida at the age of 74. Boros, an infielder, played parts of seven seasons in the majors between 1957 and 1965--appearing in 422 games as a member of the Tigers, Cubs, and Reds. While in Detroit in 1962, he hit three home runs in a game; no other Tigers player would accomplish that feat until Bill Freehan in 1971. He later managed the Oakland Athletics in 1983 and part of 1984, and was the skipper of the San Diego Padres in 1986. Boros worked for more than four decades in baseball for various organizations; he spent the last nine years of his career employed in various capacities for the Tigers. Boros was a very cerebral man--spending much of his free time writing and reading literature. Boros is survived by his wife, Sharla, two daughters, a son, and several grandchildren. May Steve Boros rest in peace.