"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" -- 07-30-05

Tennessee Titans WR Tyrone Calico has been cleared of a public indecency charge--even though a cop witnessed the player and a woman acquaintance putting their clothes on in the back of an SUV. Gives an ENTIRELY new meaning to the football term "double coverage," huh?..........TRIVIA QUESTION #1: In the 1971 major league All-Star Game, A's pitcher Vida Blue gave up home runs to a pair of future Hall of Famers. Who were these players? Answer to follow..........If New York Knicks guard Jamal Crawford is worth $8 million per season, then Microsoft head Bill Gates will find it difficult coming up with tuition money for his daughter's college education..........Did you know that, in 1962, Minnesota Twins pitcher Jack Kralick no-hit the Athletics--but was traded to Cleveland the following season for pitcher Jim Perry? A good move by Minnesota; Kralick won only 33 games for the Tribe (and would be done with baseball at the age of 32), while Perry would go on to win 128 games for the Twins--including two 20-win seasons and a Cy Young Award in 1970..........If there's a cycling enthusiast out there who fully understands the leader board/scoring system of the Tour de France, then shouldn't that person be working at the Pentagon--and NOT watching a throng of bike riders pedaling up and down mountains?..........Answer to trivia question #1: JOHNNY BENCH and HANK AARON; Bench connected with a man on in the second inning while "Hammerin' Hank" hit a solo shot in the third..........This week in sports history, July 31, 1983: LPGA golfer Jan Stephenson shoots a final round 74--enabling her to win the 38th U.S. Women's Open in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Despite blistering heat that day (with temperatures hovering near the 100-degree mark), Stephenson would hold on for a one-stroke victory over JoAnne Carner and Patty Sheehan..........Did anyone out there see the AP photo in the sports section of the newspaper last week--where lovely model Christie Brinkley was taking a close-up snapshot of Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez near the dugout after he had scored vs. Tampa Bay? Nothing against Manny's appearance, but for some strange reason, I immediately thought of the ever-popular "Beauty and the Beast."..........Former Harvard QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has agreed to a three-year contract with the St. Louis Rams; I'm wondering if he'll be asked to sing his alma mater's fight song at some juncture during training camp. If so, he may also follow that up with a recitation of Shakespeare, a lesson in stock market investing, and a complete/thorough explanation of the Pythagorean theorem..........TRIVIA QUESTION #2: This grandfather of a modern-day celebrity once played in the singles final of the U.S. Tennis Championships. Name this former player; answer to follow..........If former major league outfielder Chet Lemon ever started a charitable organization to help the underprivileged, couldn't we all classify his generous/gracious work as "Lemon-Aid?"..........Is it me--or did the San Diego Chargers wait MUCH too long before deciding to finally retire Lance Alworth's #19 jersey (which they are scheduled to do on November 20th)? A seven-time All-AFL wide receiver, Alworth had SEVEN 1,000+yards-receiving seasons in San Diego; he caught passes in a phenomenal 96 straight games, scored 85 touchdowns lifetime, and was the first AFL star to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. A true "no-brainer" that should have happened a LONG time ago; shame on the Chargers organization for having made "Bambi" wait so long for such a well-deserved honor..........If Texas Rangers fans TRULY have good senses of humor, they will soon start recording strikeouts by pitcher Kenny Rogers in the upper deck at home games using placards that resemble different types of camera equipment..........I've run out of words/adjectives to describe the accomplishments of one Lance Armstrong; I think I'm at the point where I'm still trying to let his fourth or fifth victory in the Tour de France sink in--not to mention his recently earned SEVENTH STRAIGHT win. Having written at length before about this remarkable physical specimen, I think I'll now let his cycling career speak for itself. Hopefully, unlike the many athletes of today, he'll remain sincere to his word about calling it quits soon--truly going out on top, not trying to defy age, and not tainting an athletic legacy that has perhaps become second to none at this point..........Answer to trivia question #2: FRANK SHIELDS (grandfather of Brooke)--who lost in the final in 1930 to John Doeg..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major leaguer Vic Davalillo--who blows out 69 candles on July 31st. A native of Venezuela, Vic played 16 seasons in the majors for various teams from 1963-1980; he also played in the Mexican League from 1974-1977. Though he won a Gold Glove as an outfielder in '64 and was an All-Star the following year, Davalillo was mainly known for his pinch-hitting prowess in his later years--retiring with an impressive 95 pinch-hits while batting .279 lifetime. Best wishes, Vic..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of NFL Hall of Famer Jim Parker--who died recently after a lengthy bout with diabetes at the age of 71. An Outland Trophy award winner at Ohio State, Parker was an eight-time All-Pro with the Baltimore Colts--playing both guard AND tackle. Parker developed into one of the best pass-blockers of all time in Baltimore while protecting the great Johnny Unitas; he also blocked for his good friend/former RB Lenny Moore--who was at his bedside when he passed away. You'll surely be missed, Mr. Parker.

Bob Lazzari

Reprinted by permission of the Valley Times.