"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" -- 11-20-04

How pitiful the career/legacy of boxer Evander Holyfield has become. The 42-year-old lost almost EVERY round to Larry Donald last week and actually FELL DOWN while throwing a punch; he now has won only two of his last nine fights but is STILL not sure about retirement. I guess having millions in the bank and being a former Olympic hero are facts that don't necessarily translate to possessing common sense--and truly knowing when you are FINISHED..........TRIVIA QUESTION #1: What former L.A. Dodgers pitcher once went 11-0 at Dodger Stadium in a single season? Answer to follow..........I won't say things are going bad for the Golden State Warriors, but when Eduardo Najera is your leading scorer in a 29-point loss to Memphis, it surely doesn't figure to be the best of seasons in the Bay Area during the 2004-2005 campaign..........Did you know that, in both 1958 and 1959, Jackie Jensen of the Red Sox won the AL RBI crown WITHOUT hitting a triple in either year? He hit an impressive 62 doubles and stole 29 bases over that two-year span, but failed to hit a three-bagger..........NASCAR has lifted its ban on liquor ads on cars--now freeing up spirits companies to sponsor race teams. Ah, just what we need--more booze in a sport where it is ALREADY difficult enough to understand drivers during post-race interviews..........If golfer John Daly knows nothing about his wife's recent involvement in a drug/gambling ring (as he claims), then Lindsay Lohan is a better actress than Meryl Streep..........Answer to trivia question #1: OREL HERSHISER who, in 1985, won all of his decisions at home; he compiled an overall record of 19-3 that year and also pitched to a sparkling 2.03 earned run average..........Can someone out there tell me WHY Bruce Hurst was recently inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame? In his nine years in Boston, Hurst won 88 games, usually allowed more hits than innings pitched, and had a less-than-spectacular ERA. Perhaps he recently told the team that he put a hex on the hated Yankees this past postseason and was rewarded for doing so..........TRIVIA QUESTION #2: Until it was broken by Wilt Chamberlain in 1966, what player previously held the NBA career record for points scored? Answer to follow..........How 'bout QB Tom Lensch of Dana College--who set an all-divisions record a few weeks ago when he threw a staggering 101 passes vs. Hastings College? Geez, the next time Lensch throws the ball, say, 50-60 times in a game, it'll almost seem like Dana abandoned its passing game..........This week in sports history, November 22, 1986: Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers scores the 500th goal of his brilliant career--leading his team to a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. This memorable, empty-net goal would come in "The Great One's" 575th NHL game..........I've seen some ugly NBA games over the years, but none quite like the November 9th tilt between New Jersey and Portland--won by the Nets 64-60. The Blazers shot a pathetic 19 for 78 from the field (24%) and 3 for 19 (16%) from three-point range. Just further evidence of the severe lack of discipline/good shooters in the league at this juncture. The sad reality is that we'll continue to see similar examples of this type of ineptitude until another champion is crowned in June--in a league that has truly gone downhill..........Listening to Shannon Sharpe do studio analysis on CBS' football coverage makes fingernails on a blackboard sound like "easy listening" music..........Former St. Louis Blues player Mike Danton has been sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison for trying to have his agent killed. I guess the penalty box doesn't look too bad anymore--huh, Mike?..........In a college football game down south last week, Averett defeated Chowan 60-7. Never mind the blowout nature of the game, folks. If ANYONE out there knows where EITHER school is located, then you should be challenging Ken Jennings' record on JEOPARDY!--and not reading this sports column..........Answer to trivia question #2: BOB PETTIT--who had the old record of 20,880 points until "Wilt the Stilt" broke it in February of that year..........From the "Go Figure" Dept.: Former UCONN women's basketball player Rebecca Lobo has been named to her alma mater's Board of Trustees. Question: What does being a former jock (and lousy broadcaster) have to do with serving on a board whose purpose is to establish policies on academic/financial matters? Go figure..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former NBA guard Andrew Toney--who blows out 47 candles on November 23rd. A first-round pick out of SW Louisiana, Toney played eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers from 1980-1988--averaging 15.9 points per game and 4.2 assists. A two-time All-Star, Toney was a member of the '82-'83 Sixers squad that won the NBA championship..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former professional golfer Chandler Harper--who died recently of pneumonia complications at the age of 90. Harper won the PGA Championship in 1950, along with 10 other PGA Tour events during his respectable career; he also finished in the top 10 three times at the prestigious Masters. He was elected to the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 1968 and did tons for the game of golf in the state of Virginia. You'll surely be missed, Mr. Harper; rest in peace.

Bob Lazzari

Reprinted by permission of the Valley Times.