"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 10/1/11

Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a college football game played last weekend down south, South Carolina St. obliterated Delaware State 69-0; the winning squad racked up 687 total yards on offense while limiting their hapless opponent to just 84. I haven't seen a 'mismatch' like that since 89-year-old J. Howard Marshall married Anna Nicole Smith back in 1994..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1989 Chicago Cubs--who won the NL East under manager Don Zimmer--had three pitchers who won 16 or more games apiece that season. How many of these hurlers can you name? Answer to follow..........ITEM: NBA veteran Marcus Camby is arrested in Houston on a charge of marijuana possession; it happened not far from a school. Someone needs to explain to Marcus that the term "penetrating a zone" applies to basketball only--and does NOT include a "drug-free" zone..........This week in sports history, October 4, 1955: The Brooklyn Dodgers win their first World Series championship--beating the Yankees 2-0 in Game 7 as Johnny Podres pitches an eight-hit shutout. The Dodgers had won seven National League pennants in team history (the last one in 1953) without ever capturing the World Series. Podres was helped in this game by a fabulous catch by outfielder Sandy Amoros in the sixth inning; Amoros then relayed a throw to the infield to complete a game-changing double play while Podres would cruise the rest of the way.........."Raven" Update: Yes, a close call last week. My good friend Robert "Raven" Kraft of Miami Beach had his consecutive daily running streak of more than 37 years (8 miles daily) in jeopardy after experiencing chest pains/shortness of breath. He proceeded to see some doctors who surmised that he might need some type of surgery due to a possible blockage--which would obviously halt the incredible streak. However, after ten hours of multiple tests came up negative, "Raven"--armed with an inhaler and instructions to take an aspirin daily-- went back to the beach and completed yet another eight-mile jaunt. The streak continues--as well as the legend simply known as "Raven"..........Yes, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has aged very well. But has anyone out there seen any recent photos of lovely actress Sofia Vergara modeling her new line of clothing for K-Mart? Sorry, sports fans--Ms. Vergara takes the art of "aging gracefully" to an ENTIRELY different level..........Did you know that, in 2001, RB Garrison Hearst of the San Francisco 49ers carried the ball 252 times and caught 41 passes--but only fumbled ONE time? Amazingly, Hearst fumbled a DOZEN times as a member of the Arizona Cardinals four years earlier--while having approximately the same number of touches..........Answer to trivia question: GREG MADDUX (19), MIKE BIELECKI (18), and RICK SUTCLIFFE (16)..........Morning personality Mike Stevens on WDRC-FM last week--after the struggling Red Sox had lost yet again to lowly Baltimore (and were still stuck on five wins for the entire month of September): "Do they WANT to make the playoffs?"..........Can you imagine if LPGA golfer Lori West married former MLB outfielder Bill North, divorced, married singer/songwriter Joe South--divorced again--then married DC-area environmental health specialist John East? She'd be strolling golf courses with the full married name of Lori West North South East..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former NFL running back-turned-broadcaster Mike Adamle--who blows out 62 candles on October 4th. An All-American fullback at Northwestern, Adamle went on to play seven seasons in the NFL with the Chiefs, Jets, and Bears--rushing for 1,149 yards in his career. He later joined NBC Sports (hosting Sports World) and was also the co-host of American Gladiators from 1989-1996. Currently, Adamle is still involved with broadcasting in the Chicago area; best wishes, Mike..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former major league outfielder/college baseball coach Danny Litwhiler--who passed away recently in Florida at the age of 95. A native of Pennsylvania, Litwhiler spent 11 seasons in the majors between 1940 and 1951 as a member of the Phillies, Cardinals, Braves, and Reds--hitting .281 lifetime. He was an All-Star with the Phillies in 1942 and played in a total of 1,057 games. He later went on to coach baseball at Florida State and Michigan State--winning 678 games over 28 seasons; altogether, he led teams to nine NCAA tournament appearances. Litwhiler was also very instrumental in developing the radar gun to measure pitching speed. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and eight children. May Danny Litwhiler rest in peace.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 9/24/11

*A sign that the average male is getting WAY too old: When he'd rather look at photos of former major league pitchers Sam McDowell and Steve Stone instead of actresses Andie MacDowell and Sharon Stone.........TRIVIA QUESTION: Who was the last Washington Redskins quarterback to lead the NFL in touchdown passes? Answer to follow..........Yet ANOTHER reason why I follow Ivy League football: Yale senior DE Austin Pulsipher spent a two-year stretch (2007-'08) in Taiwan on a Mormon mission. While there, he became fluent in Mandarin Chinese, ran a drug rehabilitation program, and managed the finances of over 150 missionaries. Yeah--don't hold your breath looking for Pulsipher's name in the "police briefs" section of your newspaper anytime soon..........Can you imagine if former Louisville basketball star Jazz Covington married comedian Chris Rock, divorced, married NY Jets kicker Nick Folk--divorced again--then walked down the aisle with PGA golfer Fred Funk? Lovers of various musical genres would surely enjoy her full name of Jazz Rock Folk Funk..........This week in sports history, September 26, 1971: Jim Palmer of the Baltimore Orioles fires a three-hit shutout vs. Cleveland--joining fellow starters Mike Cuellar, Pat Dobson, and Dave McNally as 20-game winners for the season. In a game played at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Palmer also hit a run-scoring double while improving his record to 20-9 following the Orioles' 3-0 victory. Cuellar's 20th win a few days earlier had clinched Baltimore's third straight AL East title. No team in baseball had produced four 20-game winners since 1920--when the infamous Chicago "Black Sox" quartet of Cicotte, Faber, Kerr, and Williams combined for 87 wins..........Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a college football game played in the Midwest last weekend, North Central (IL) dismantled Olivet 86-14; the winning team led 45-0 at HALFTIME and ended up outrushing Olivet 329-45. If this was a heavyweight fight, it would have been stopped before both fighters had their HANDS taped..........I'll go out on a limb and say that the Yale Precision Marching Band was the only group of its kind to play "Hey Jude" and "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" during a college football game last weekend..........Did you know that outfielder Alex Cole led the 1990 Cleveland Indians in stolen bases with an impressive total of 40--but appeared in only 63 games that season? Mitch Webster was second on the team in steals that year with 22--while playing in more than TWICE as many games as Cole (128)..........Answer to trivia question: BILLY KILMER--who threw 19 TD passes in 1972 to tie Joe Namath for most in the league..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league pitcher Jason Young--who blows out 32 candles on September 28th. A native of Oakland, CA who attended Stanford, Young spent only two seasons in the "bigs"--pitching for the Colorado Rockies in 2003 and 2004. Let's just say that the thin air of Coors Field did NOT help Young during his short MLB tenure. In 29 2/3 career innings, Young allowed 49 hits (including 11 HR's) and 32 earned runs. Yes, folks, Jason Young's career numbers: 0 wins, 3 losses, ERA of 9.71. Hey, they all can't be CY Young, right? Best wishes, Jason..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NFL guard/broadcaster Sam DeLuca--who died recently of cancer in New York at the age of 75. A Brooklyn native, DeLuca attended Lafayette High School--where he was a friend of notables such as Sandy Koufax and Fred Wilpon. He played college football at South Carolina and started his pro career in the Canadian Football League in the late 50's. When the AFL was formed in 1960, DeLuca joined the L.A. Chargers (later San Diego) and was a starter on the team's 1963 championship squad. He was later traded to the N.Y. Jets and started for them from 1964-'66; yes, he was one of the first protectors of a young QB named Joe Willie Namath. Sadly, DeLuca suffered a severe knee injury during a 1967 preseason game--which ultimately ended his playing career. Sam proceeded to do some excellent broadcasting work for the Jets, NBC, and even did some pre-game/post-game work for the Mets back in the late 60's; he retired as a sportscaster in 1988. He is survived by his wife, Diane, two sons, and two daughters. May Sam DeLuca rest in peace.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 9/17/11

Mind-boggling numbers: Going into last weekend's play (with only a few weeks remaining), Adam Dunn of the Chicago White Sox had mustered just 60 hits this season. If he finishes the year with approximately 80 hits or so, he will have earned $150,000 PER HIT this year--based on his $12 million salary. Wow.........TRIVIA QUESTION: Who was the last member of the Los Angeles Dodgers to lead the National League in runs scored? Answer to follow..........Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a college football game played last weekend, Campbell dismantled Apprentice 76-0. My first reaction? When you lose by more than TWELVE TD's, you truly ARE an "apprentice"--and have a LONG way to go in order to become a skilled tradesman..........Did you know that Paul O'Neill led the 1992 Cincinnati Reds in home runs with a total of just 14? Teammates Reggie Sanders, Chris Sabo, and Barry Larkin tied for second on the club with a dozen apiece--while Larkin led the team in RBI's with a rather modest total of 78..........This week in sports history, September 21, 1934: At Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, the Dean brothers--Dizzy and Paul--win both games of a doubleheader as the Cardinals sweep past the hometown Dodgers. Dizzy threw a three-hit shutout in the opener--winning his 27th game of the year during a 13-0 rout. Paul Dean went a step further in the nightcap--throwing his first career no-hitter during a 3-0 Redbirds victory. Paul, a rookie right-hander, allowed only one base runner during his masterful performance--walking a batter in the very first inning..........If more MLB players were as articulate as the Yankees' Curtis Granderson, there would be a LOT LESS need to reach for the remote during baseball rain delays.........ITEM: Former NFL running back Chris Jennings is arrested in Ohio for driving 147 miles-per-hour (you read that correctly) in a 65 mph zone; yes, folks, that is more than 80 mph OVER the limit. My question is this: Where did this guy complete his drivers education training--at the BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS?..........Answer to trivia question: BRETT BUTLER--who scored 112 runs for Tom Lasorda's second-place ball club in 1991..........If I'm starting a female/over-40 celebrity softball team, how's THIS for a starting nine: Elle Macpherson, Sharon Stone, Diane Lane, Kathy Ireland, Christie Brinkley, Jennifer Aniston, Brooke Shields, Denise Richards, and Elizabeth Hurley? Yes, I may be aging, folks, but there is NOTHING wrong with my EYESIGHT..........When my Dad was alive, we'd often watch badly-pitched ballgames where he'd often say to me the proverbial, "Geez, Bob, that guy needs a TOUCHDOWN to win." Well, Dad, this one's for you: With an ERA of 6.30 going into this past week, Red Sox pitcher John Lackey not only needs a touchdown, but the EXTRA POINT, too! (I know you're chuckling, 'Big' Bob)..........Can you imagine if former All-American volleyball player April Chapple married ex-big leaguer Carlos May--divorced--then married former All-Pro linebacker Cato June? She'd make lovers of springtime very happy with the full name of April May June.........Happy birthday wishes go out to former MLB pitcher Jim Siwy--who blows out 53 candles on September 20th. His name may not immediately ring a bell and that's totally understandable. A native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Siwy played in just two big league seasons as a member of the White Sox (1982 and 1984)--appearing in just THREE games. In 11 1/3 career innings, Siwy allowed 13 hits and nine earned runs--thus going into the major league record books with a lifetime ERA of 7.15. Hey--they all can't be Ted Lyons, right? Best wishes, Jim..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former college football player/coach Brent Wooten--who died recently after a lengthy illness at the age of 72. Wooten played halfback/defensive back for the University of Washington for three seasons. He was a member of the Washington squads that combined for a record of 20-2 in 1959 and 1960 and went to consecutive Rose Bowls. He later coached various sports, taught physical education, and served as athletic director at Eastern Washington. May Brent Wooten rest in peace.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 9/10/11

Question: Now that actress Minka Kelly has split from Derek Jeter, do you think she'd be interested in an older man who occasionally writes about sports? I know--I have a better chance of paying $1.50 for a gallon of gas this coming week..........TRIVIA QUESTION: Who was the last member of the New York Mets to lead the National League in singles? Answer to follow..........Scenario: LPGA golfer Karen Stupples marries fellow golf pro Fred Couples, divorces, then marries San Diego realtor Jim Supples. She then walks around golf courses with the full name of Karen Stupples Couples Supples..........ITEM: Two Drake basketball players--Rayvonte Rice and Kurt Alexander--are arrested for stealing $50 worth of socks from a sporting goods store; both men later stated that they were "young and dumb" and sorry for their actions. Translation? "WE GOT CAUGHT"..........This week in sports history, September 13, 1970: Australian tennis star Margaret Court completes the second women's grand slam in history--beating Rosemary Casals 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 at the U.S. Open in Forest Hills, NY. Court matched the feat of Maureen Connolly 17 years before and became the fourth player overall to join the grand slam club (Don Budge-1938, Rod Laver-1962, '69). In this match, Casals actually became the first U.S. Open player to win a set from Court in two years. But the talented Australian ultimately broke Casals twice in the final set--attacking her opponent's backhand on her way to the historic victory..........Sad news regarding the death of NFL Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon--who died last week following a stroke at the age of 57. His on-the-field excellence while with Tampa Bay as a defensive end was obvious--as he was enshrined in Canton in 1995. But the statement released shortly after his death by the Glazer family (Buccaneers owners) showed the TRUE greatness of this man--as it read that "his stature off the field as the consummate gentleman put him in another stratosphere." All I can say is thanks for being YOU, Lee Roy Selmon..........My best description of Red Sox pitcher John Lackey? He's a "non-money pitcher" who happens to be earning "money pitcher" money..........Here's a stat for you: Former major league infielder Angel Salazar--who played for three different teams between 1983 and 1988--had 933 career plate appearances and walked just 19 times. Depending on where he was playing, this guy must have swung at anything in the same ZIP CODE..........Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a college football game last weekend, Cincinnati annihilated Austin Peay 72-10; the Bearcats had a 41-0 lead at HALFTIME. My first thought: Was this a lone individual NAMED Austin playing that day vs. Cincy--one who could have used some MAJOR help from ten other guys on defense?..........Answer to trivia question: LANCE JOHNSON--who notched 166 singles for the Mets back in 1996..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former MLB player Pat Listach--who blows out 44 candles on September 12th. Listach, who played college ball at Arizona State, was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1992 as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers--a year in which he garnered 168 hits and stole 54 bases. Sadly, Listach never duplicated those type of numbers again--playing only six seasons and being done with major league baseball by the age of 30 (ending his career with the Astros). He later became a minor league manager in the Cubs system and was named Chicago's bench coach last year. Best wishes, Pat..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NBA coach Scotty Robertson--who passed away recently in Louisiana at the age of 81. Robertson was best known for being the first coach of the New Orleans Jazz (1974); he was fired after just 15 games that season after compiling a record of 1-14. He also coached the Bulls and Pistons between 1978 and 1983; as a head coach, his career record was 109-178. Robertson was later an assistant with the Spurs and Suns. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Lou, three daughters, and ten grandchildren. May Scotty Robertson rest in peace.