Tuesday, April 23, 2013

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 4/20/13

ITEM: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo is arrested on drunk-driving charges; his breathalyzer test registered a 0.22 (THREE times the legal limit in WI) while he supposedly told police he had "a couple of beers." I'm just wondering if the "couple" of beers he consumed were served in 2.5 gallon AQUARIUMS that one can find at any PETCO store in the Milwaukee area...........TRIVIA QUESTION: Who was the last Cincinnati Reds player to lead the National League in triples during a season? Answer to follow..........O.K.--here goes: English teen/golf sensation Georgia Hall marries former NFL lineman Russell Maryland, divorces, marries MLB pitcher John Maine--divorces again--then walks down the aisle with ex-Syracuse basketball superstar Dwayne "Pearl" Washington. Fans of U.S. geography would surely enjoy her full, married name of Georgia Maryland Maine Washington..........Just wondering: Has anyone ever searched for the body of ex-Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa in the BEARD of former MLB All-Star reliever Brian Wilson?..........ITEM: Wrigley Field--the historic home of the Chicago Cubs--will get a $500 million "facelift" after an agreement was reached between the ball club and the city of Chicago. My first reaction? When a figure like $500 million is thrown around, shouldn't this be referred to as a "total body replacement" rather than a "facelift?"..........Anyone out there get a glimpse of the red dress that lovely actress-turned-director Jennifer Aniston was wearing at the recent premiere of the TV movie "Call Me Crazy: A Five Film" out in L.A.? My goodness. Allow me to compare her beauty to some baseball terminology: She may not throw a 98 mile-per-hour fastball anymore, but she still throws in the mid-90's with an effective, wicked slider..........Put it this way: If you watched that first Bruins game after the Boston bombings (vs. Buffalo, where anthem singer Rene Rancourt simply stepped aside--letting fans sing in unison) and DIDN'T get goosebumps, you may be due for a major medical check-up IMMEDIATELY (if not a REALITY check-up)..........Answer to trivia question: MARIANO DUNCAN--who led the league in "three baggers" in 1990 with a modest total of just 11..........Did you know that the lowly 1997-'98 Tampa Bay Lightning had only ONE player reach the 40-point mark that season? Center Paul Ysebaert led the squad in points-- tallying an even 40 (13 goals/27 assists) for a team that finished 17-55-10 under three different coaches..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league infielder Rudy Meoli--who blows out 62 candles on May 1st. Meoli played six seasons in the "bigs" between 1971 and 1979 as a member of the Angels, Cubs, and Phillies. He hit only .212 lifetime and probably was an "average" fielder at best. But he'll always be remembered for a terrific, over-the-shoulder catch in 1973 (while in California) that preserved the great Nolan Ryan's very first no-hitter vs. Kansas City (the Hall of Famer would go on to pitch seven in his career). Thanks for the memories, Rudy--and I'm sure Mr. Ryan thanks you, as well; here's wishing you many more birthdays to come..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former college football coach Forrest "Frosty" Westerling"--who passed away recently in Washington at the age of 85. Westerling spent 32 seasons as the coach of Pacific Lutheran (an NAIA/Division III school) where he compiled a record of 261-70-5; he won four national titles and finished as a national runner-up four other times. He also had coaching stops at Parsons College in Iowa and Lea College in Minnesota. All told, "Frosty" won 305 college football games and was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005. He was a remarkable man OFF the gridiron, too--having become a successful author, motivational speaker, and professor. Yes, perhaps his greatest legacy is the life skills he passed on to young people; he was immensely passionate about passing on his coaching beliefs simply for the betterment of others. Mr. Westerling is survived by his wife, Donna, five grandchildren, and 13 grandchildren. Rest in peace, "Coach."

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