"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 12/20/14

Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a girls high school basketball game played here in CT last week, Coventry annihilated Stafford 42-7; the winning squad held a 29-1 lead (yes, you DID read that correctly) at halftime. At first glance, I was convinced it was a score from another sport--but then I realized that they DON'T play indoor high school football here in New England during mid-to-late December..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1998 New York Giants--who finished 8-8 under coach Jim Fassel--were led in rushing by an individual who played only two years for the team. Can you name this former running back? Answer to follow..........Did you know that the 2001 Philadelphia Eagles were led in rushing by Duce Staley with a modest total of only 604 yards? Ah--but the team went all the way to the NFC title game by limiting/spreading out Staley's work load; RB Correll Buckhalter and QB Donovan McNabb also had 586 and 482 yards rushing respectively. Must be some logic involved there, huh?..........ITEM: Outgoing MLB commissioner Bud Selig will be given the title of "Commissioner Emeritus" (huh????) and earn an annual pension of approximately $6 million. So let me get this straight: Here's a guy who buried his head in the sand while witnessing infinite wrongdoings, made TONS of money for some very greedy people, and now continues to be awarded handsomely (and THEN some) for his "efforts." Ummm--welcome to something called "big business" in America, folks..........Just wondering: If singer/songwriter Pink ever married S.D. Chargers WR Malcolm Floyd, would she continue her professional music career using the new name of Pink Floyd?..........Golfer Colin Montgomerie recently was quoted as saying that Rory McIlroy has taken golf to a level "beyond where Tiger (Woods) was." Ummm--go a little easier on the 'holiday cheer,' Mr. Montgomerie--and perhaps we can talk a bit more SERIOUSLY after Rory has won another 6 or 7 major titles..........ITEM: In the January issue of New Beauty, lovely actress Sofia Vergara expresses concern about her looks and the aging process in general. Let me try to convey this 42-year-old's overall beauty at the current moment using some baseball stats: She's still a .330 hitter, can steal between 30 and 40 bases per season, and hasn't lost ONE step in the field. No worries, Sofia--trust me..........ITEM: In college basketball action last weekend, Kentucky obliterates UCLA 83-44 with the Wildcats holding a 41-7 HALFTIME lead. Yes, folks--this game was billed as the inaugural "CBS Sports Classic." I haven't come across such an oxymoronic term since "growing smaller."..........If S.F. Giants pitcher Jake Peavy is worth $12 million per season at this point, then Jennifer Aniston is the most non-attractive actress in Hollywood..........Answer to trivia question: GARY BROWN--a Penn State product who rushed for 1,063 yards; he spent 8 years in the league with Houston, San Diego, and New York between 1991 and 1999..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former Dakota Wesleyan basketball coach Doug Martin--who passed away recently in Wisconsin at the age of 78. Spending 17 seasons at DWU (1988-2005), Martin led his teams to four conference titles and a national tournament berth; altogether, he won 251 games at that school. Yes, even after suffering a stroke in 1992, he continued to coach basketball for the next 13 years. A multi-talented guy, Doug was also a high school/college football referee from 1961-1991. Since his death, many individuals have referred to Coach Martin simply as a "class act." Finally, Martin is a member of various halls of fame--including the South Dakota Sports HOF and the Wisconsin Basketball Association HOF. Doug Martin is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sally, five children, and five grandchildren. Rest in peace, "Coach."