Lazzari’s Sports Roundup – 11/11/09

The “Unwatchable NBA” Update (yes–sadly, this feature returns, folks):  In a game played in Boston last week, the Celtics annihilated the Bobcats 9259; Charlotte was 0-for-10 from 3-point range, had just 10 assists AS A TEAM, and shot a pitiful 52% from the free-throw line on 13-for-25 shooting.  Geez, and I used to think that hippopotamuses, slugs, and Chihuahuas were ugly……….TRIVIA QUESTION:  Who was the last NBA player to lead the league in personal fouls in consecutive years?  Answer to follow……….I’d love to see a bumper sticker in New York City that reads the following:  DECISIONS, DECISIONS–MORTGAGE PAYMENT OR YANKEE GAME?……….Congratulations go out to Bill Brickett–long-time softball stand-out from Shelton, CT–who recently bowled the second perfect game of his career while competing in the Business/Industrial Bowling League at Colony Lanes in Wallingford.  In addition to the 300 game, Brickett (son-in-law of New Haven-area sports announcer Bob Barth) added games of 246 and 214 for a three-game total of 760–raising his overall game average from 225 to 229.  Great job, Bill……….This week in sports history, November 10, 1963:  Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings becomes the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer–tallying #545 during his team’s 3-0 victory vs. Montreal.  Howe broke the record–previously held by Maurice “Rocket” Richard–at 15:06 of the second period.  During the same game, Red Wings goalie Terry Sawchuk made some headlines, too–posting his 94th career shutout; his 39-save effort matched the NHL’s all-time record for shutouts held by former Montreal goalie George Hainsworth……….For any “do-gooders” out there who may have been disturbed that WNBA star Diana Taurasi had to spend just a day in jail after her DUI bust:  Taurasi’s blood-alcohol level was 0.17–twice the legal limit in Arizona.  Sorry, folks, but when one is THAT intoxicated–and behind a wheel–the vehicle becomes a lethal weapon.  The truly disturbing/scary part is THIS: her actions are really no different than carelessly discharging a deadly firearm near a crowd of people–and LUCKILY not hitting anyone……….Can you imagine if USC standout rower Robin Hextrum married former NBA player Rory Sparrow, divorced, married NFL linebacker A.J. Hawk–divorced again–then married sportscaster Ian Eagle?  Members of the National Audubon Society would surely take pride in her full married name of Robin Sparrow Hawk Eagle……….Sorry, but whenever I hear the words “baseball” and “integrity” in the same sentence, the term “oxymoronic” always comes to mind……….The other day, I came across a lovely picture of model/actress Elizabeth Hurley wearing a stunning, flowered dress at a luncheon for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Geez, and I used to think that Wade Boggs’ SWING was a thing of beauty……….Answer to trivia question:  KURT THOMAS of the New York Knicks–who led the league in personal fouls in 2001-’02 (341) and again in ’02-’03 (344)……….How ’bout quarterback John Skelton of my alma mater Fordham–who threw 67 passes and also RUSHED 15 times last Saturday during a 41-27 loss to Holy Cross?  I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that the guy had NO need for melatonin, chamomile tea, or any other sleep aid that evening in order to get some badly-needed shuteye……….Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league outfielder Dion James–who blows out 47 candles on November 9th.  A native of Philadelphia, James spent 11 seasons in the “bigs” between 1983 and 1996–hitting a respectable .288 lifetime.  James spent time with the Brewers, Braves, Indians, and Yankees during his playing days; perhaps his best year came with Atlanta in 1987 when he drove in 61 runs and finished fifth in the National League with a batting average of .312.  Best wishes, Dion……….Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NFL assistant coach Darvin Wallis–who died recently in Colorado at the age of 60.  Wallis spent time as a college assistant at Mississippi, Tulane and Adams State before beginning his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns under head coach Sam Rutigliano in 1982.  He went on to spend 19 years with the Kansas City Chiefs as a defensive assistant/quality control coach before retiring in January 2008.  Wallis is survived by his wife, Vicky, and three sons: Tyson, Darvin Jr., and Austin.  May Darvin Wallis rest in peace.

About the Author

Joe McDonald

Editor-in-Chief
Joe McDonald is the founder and former publisher of NY Sports Day. After selling to i15Media in 2020, he serves as the Editor-in-Chief and responsible for the editorial side of the publication. In the past, Joe was the managing editor of NY Sportscene magazine and assistant editor of Mets Inside Pitch. He has covered the Mets since 2004.

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