"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 4/26/14

Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a recent CT high school baseball game, Prince Tech annihilated Windham Tech by a score of 35-4; the winning squad scored THIRTEEN runs in the third inning alone while Windham Tech made NINE errors during this fiasco. I haven't seen anything THIS ugly since a former college roommate of mine mistakenly wore Spandex back in the early 80's in hopes of impressing a gal living in the next-door dormitory..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1995 Minnesota Twins--who finished with a less-than-stellar record of 56-88 under manager Tom Kelly--were led in wins by a rookie pitcher who had a total of just ELEVEN that season. Can you name this former hurler? Answer to follow..........I had a dream the other night that involved three troubled NFL players appearing on Jeopardy!: Richie Incognito, Adam "Pacman" Jones, and Aldon Smith. The six question categories were as follows: BULLY BULLY, SUSPENSION CITY, ATHLETES & AIRPORTS, NIGHTCLUB NO-NO's, MISDEMEANOR OR FELONY, and LIMITLESS LUNACY. I woke up before I found out who actually won the competition..........My goal is NOT to make anyone who followed baseball in the 60's and 70's feel old, but try to fathom THIS: Former pitcher/20-game-winner Bill Singer turned 70 last week..........Congratulations go out to my colleague Gerry deSimas--who has been chosen this year to receive the Art McGinley Award from the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance. The award recognizes overall devotion to the Alliance and to sports coverage in general; it is named after McGinley--a former sports editor of the now-defunct Hartford Times. Gerry served as sports editor for various Connecticut newspapers from 1986-1998 and continues to write on a freelance basis for daily and weekly publications. He also writes and publishes Connecticut Wrestling Online--which covers wrestling across the state. In addition, Gerry produces the CT high school record books for football and wrestling on a yearly basis. He'll be honored this weekend at the CSWA's 73rd annual Gold Key Dinner. Congratulations, Mr. deSimas--a well-deserved honor for an individual who has contributed SO greatly to CT high school sports coverage for a very long time..........ITEM: Former NFL guard John Moffitt is arrested at a Chicago nightclub after being found in possession of cocaine, ecstasy pills, and marijuana. This is the same guy who walked away from the game last fall citing "risk of health" issues. Hmmm, let's examine this a bit closer: athletes, drugs, and nightclubs. That unique combination could NEVER be a danger to someone's health, right? Noooooo...........My good friend/N.Y. Post columnist Phil Mushnick nails it once again. Recently, he wrote about how UCONN guard Shabazz Napier was upset with the NCAA due to his school being banned from the 2013 postseason. Mushnick: "Has anyone at UCONN broken the news to senior Shabazz Napier that the NCAA didn't do dirt to UCONN and him--that it was UCONN that did dirt to UCONN and him?"..........Picture the scenario: Lousiana Tech track star Kim Francis marries former NFL linebacker Bart Scott, divorces, then walks down the aisle with former MLB pitcher Jimmy Key. Patriotic Americans who love singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" would surely get a kick out of her full married name: Kim Francis Scott Key..........Answer to trivia question: BRAD RADKE--who would win 20 games just two years later; he spent his entire 12-year career in Minnesota..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NFL quarterback Earl Morrall--who passed away recently at the age of 79. Amazingly, Earl played 21 seasons in the NFL as a member of the 49ers, Steelers, Lions, Giants, Colts, and Dolphins--appearing in 255 games. Morrall is probably best-known for taking over for an injured Bob Griese in 1972 and keeping the team's famed "perfect season" going until Griese returned in the postseason. He was named the NFL's MVP in 1968--leading the Colts to a 13-1 record but ultimately losing to Joe Namath and the Jets in Super Bowl III. Following his career, Earl was involved in coaching (particularly QB's) and also served as mayor of Davie, FL for one year. Morrall is survived by his wife, Jane, five children, and many grandchildren. May Earl Morrall rest in peace.