Lazzari’s Vault: Do You Remember?

Some good conversation starters for those, shall we say, “aging” baseball fans out there. Do you remember.………… –when $9.50 at a major league game bought you two decent tickets rather than ONE BOTTLE of beer? –the way John Boccabella was introduced over the P.A. system while playing for the Expos? –how great it felt when […]

Lazzari’s Vault: So Long, Mr. Harwell

The Detroit Tigers happened to be out of town this past May 4th–playing at the new Target Field in Minnesota. Soon came the seventh-inning stretch and a picture of a smiling Ernie Harwell graced the stadium’s bright, new big screen. The news was then announced–though many fans were already privy to the inevitable: the Hall […]

Lazzari’s Vault: Remembering “The Bird”

The year was 1976; “Frampton Comes Alive” was gaining in music popularity, a former football player was still patrolling the White House, and yours truly had just received a driver’s license. Baseball season started with my next-door-neighbor, Al–a HUGE Detroit fan–telling me about this eccentric, young kid who had made the Tigers’ pitching staff. “They […]

Lazzari’s Vault: “All-Independence Day/All-Patriotic” Team

As we celebrate another year of our country’s independence this coming week, it’s time to present baseball’s all-time “All-Independence Day/All-Patriotic” team. I know, folks–TOO much time on my hands! 1B- Derek “Robert E.” Lee, Boog “General Colin” Powell, George “Boomer” Scott, Mike “Ezekiel” Jacobs, Dick “Ethan” Allen, Joe “Alexander” Hague 2B- John Kennedy, Ron Washington […]

Lazzari’s Vault: Remembering Phil Rizzuto

Looking back, I’d have to say that Phil Rizzuto was the “voice” of my youth. It was the “Scooter’s” unmistakable, high-pitched voice that would be resounding throughout the steamy living room during those summers in the late 60’s when I first started following America’s pastime. Whether it was his trademark “Holy Cow!” (which, at times, […]

Lazzari’s Vault: Remembering “Rapid Robert”

The numbers are staggering: 266 victories, over 3,800 innings pitched, 279 complete games, twelve one-hitters—all while missing nearly four seasons due to military service. Oh, he was also a World War II hero (gun captain on the USS Alabama), World Series champion, and an eventual baseball Hall of Famer. When I first heard about the […]

Lazzari’s 2016 MLB Predictions

Ahhh, yes, spring is in the air and it’s time for that annual crapshoot better known as baseball predictions. And if you ever come across a sportswriter/columnist who is EXTREMELY comfortable with his/her picks, then that scribe HASN’T been following the game long enough. Here’s how they MAY finish in 2016, my friends……… AL EAST […]

Bob Lazzari’s 2015 MLB Awards

Yes, it’s that time of the year, folks. As the Royals celebrate their championship and players head for their yachts and/or the golf course, let’s give out some MLB awards based on the 2015 regular season: *The FRANK SINATRA “ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL” Award: Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles. The man struck out […]

“Lazzari’s Sports Roundup”—What’s in a Name: II

*Don “Stan the Man Unusual” Stanhouse: Used mostly as a reliever in the 70’s and 80’s with four different teams. Was an All-Star in ’79 while with the AL-champ O’s and picked up 64 saves in his career. Was VERY flaky–hence the nickname (did pre-game wacky antics to entertain fans, clubhouse pranks, etc.) Also had […]

“Lazzari’s Sports Roundup” – – – – What’s in a Name?

It seems like baseball nicknames are becoming extinct. Sure, names like “The Panda” and “King Felix” are currently recognizable, but clever monikers just aren’t as prevalent–or as FUN–as they once were. I thought I’d recall some of the more memorable ones I’ve come across since I started following baseball: *Jim “Catfish” Hunter: A Hall of […]

Touring The Bases With…Barry Lyons

A Mississippi native who starred at Delta State University, Barry Lyons was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 25th round of the 1981 amateur draft, then by the New York Mets in the 15th round of the 1982 amateur draft.  He signed with the Mets and began his professional career in Single A where […]

Goodbye, “Mr. Padre”

Dear Mr. Gwynn: I dislike writing pieces like this–about legends taken from this world much before their time; I guess it remains (and always will) a cold reality in a very unfair world. Sometimes, words just aren’t enough, y’know? However, I’ll give it a try. When I first learned of your death last week at […]

Lazzari’s Sports Roundup: 2014 Predictions

Yes, it’s that time of the year, folks–time to offer some MLB predictions. Yeah, it’s the usual “crapshoot”; trust me–this yearly undertaking is more difficult than trying to type while wearing boxing gloves. Anyway, here’s how they’ll finish in 2014…… AL EAST T.B. Rays Boston Red Sox N.Y. Yankees Toronto Blue Jays Baltimore Orioles AL […]

Touring The Bases With…Mike Hedlund

A native of Dallas, Texas, pitcher Mike “Red” Hedlund was signed as an amateur free agent right out of Arlington High School by the Cleveland Indians in 1964.  After only 25 minor league innings, the righthander made his major league debut on May 8, 1965 at the tender age of 18 and retired future Hall […]

Touring The Bases With…Greg Pryor

A two-time All-American at Florida Southern College from 1969-70, Greg Pryor became the first FSC Moccasin to make it to the major leagues when he debuted for the Texas Rangers on June 4, 1976.  Pryor was a sixth round draft pick of the Washington Senators in 1971 and spent parts of six seasons in the […]

Touring The Bases With…Gabe Kapler

Gabe Kapler was a 57th round draft pick by the Detroit Tigers in the 1995 amateur draft, then began a very successful minor league career that resulted in a late-season call-up in September 1998.  The righthanded slugger dominated the low minors at the ages of 20 and 21, hitting .300 with 45 doubles, 26 homers, […]

Touring The Bases With…Jerry Reuss

Jerry Reuss, a 6’5″ southpaw, was drafted by his hometown St. Louis Cardinals right out of high school in the second round of the 1967 amateur draft.   After spending two years in the minors, the then 20-year-old made his major league debut on September 27, 1969 and tossed seven brilliant innings against the Montreal […]

Touring The Bases With…Billy Sample

The first major leaguer to come from James Madison University in Virginia, Billy Sample was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 10th round of the 1976 amateur draft.  The second baseman started his professional career with the Rookie League Rangers of the Gulf Coast League and batted .382 with an outstanding .505 on-base percentage […]

Bob Lazzari’s Baseball Predictions: 2013

Yes, it’s that time of the year, folks–time to offer some MLB predictions.  *DISCLAIMER:  If one chooses to use the following as “gospel”, just remember that I picked the Angels and Phillies to play in the World Series last year (ughh).  Here’s how they’ll finish in 2013…… AL EAST T.B. Rays Toronto Blue Jays N.Y. […]

2012 MLB Season Now In the Books: Time To Hand Out Some Awards

The STAY AT FIRST Award:  Jose Tabata of the Pirates.  He tried to steal 20 bases this season and was thrown out TWELVE times—a success rate of just 40%.  When this guy reached first base, coach Luis Silverio should have provided Tabata cement shoes in order for him to run NOWHERE. The PETE ROSE/GEORGE BRETT […]

Touring The Bases With…Denny McLain

From 1968 to 1969, few hurlers could keep up with Denny McLain, the Detroit Tigers ace and workhorse.  McLain went 55-15 in those two seasons and became the last man to win 30 games when he went 31-6 in 1968 and led the Tigers to an American League pennant and World Series title.  McLain easily […]

Red Sox Round Up

O.K., Red Sox fans, the free-agent signings of Carl Crawford and John Lackey continue to cause MAJOR nausea among Boston fans and render many sleepless nights. But they ALL haven’t been bad; here’s a look at a few of the BETTER free-agent signings in the team’s history: 1) Manny Ramirez: Eyebrows were raised in the […]

Touring the Bases With Buddy Biancalana

Buddy Biancalana was a first round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals in 1978 who went on to have a major league career as a middle infielder. Used primarily as a utility player, Buddy had his greatest success was in the 1985 World Series when he played in all seven games and hit .278, […]

Bob Lazzari’s Baseball Predictions

Yes, it’s that time of the year, folks–the obligatory crapshoot better-known as making MLB predictions.  Here’s how they’ll finish in 2012…… AL EAST N.Y. Yankees T.B. Rays Boston Red Sox Toronto Blue Jays Baltimore Orioles AL CENTRAL Detroit Tigers Cleveland Indians K.C. Royals Minnesota Twins Chicago White Sox AL WEST L.A. Angels Texas Rangers Oakland […]

Touring The Bases With…John D’Acquisto

Former big league right-hander John D’Acquisto was the 17th pick of the 1970 amateur draft, going to the San Francisco Giants in a draft that also featured Mike Ivie, Darrell Porter and “Disco Dan” Ford.  D’Acquisto got his feet wet in the Pioneer (rookie) League before the 19-year-old blossomed in Single-A in 1971, posting a […]

Touring The Bases With…Terry Tata

Umpire Terry Tata officiated in the National League from 1973-1999, and umpired in four World Series, seven National League Championship Series, three All-Star games and five no-hitters, for two of which he was behind the plate.  During his major league career, he umpired in 3,743 regular season games. Click here to see a video of […]

Farewell, Dad

Robert A. Lazzari passed away on June 3rd at the age of 83–his body finally giving out after decades-worth of health problems. He instilled in me a HUGE love for sports; he remains solely responsible for yours truly writing this weekly column and currently being involved in so many other media endeavors. But it all […]

Touring The Bases With…Rico Petrocelli

Rico Petrocelli was signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 1961 and went on to have a productive 13-year big league career, all with Boston.  After a cup of coffee with the Sox in 1963, Petrocelli arrived in the big leagues to stay in 1965, and by 1969 was one […]

Farewell To Mom–A True “All-Star”

Mary Lou Lazzari lost her long, courageous battle with cancer on October 9, 2007–the nasty disease having robbed the world of a once-vibrant, wonderful human being. O.K., you may wonder why a death of a loved one would warrant being the subject of a sports column; I kinda wondered about that, too, but the answer […]

Belated 2011 MLB Predictions

Yes, folks, the 2011 MLB season is underway.  Rosters have changed and managers have changed; Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens HAVEN’T changed.  Here’s how they’ll finish: AL EAST Boston Red Sox N.Y. Yankees T.B. Rays Baltimore Orioles Toronto Blue Jays AL CENTRAL Chicago White Sox Minnesota Twins Detroit Tigers Kansas City Royals Cleveland Indians AL WEST Texas […]

Fun Fantasy Baseball Marriages

LPGA golfer Leslie Spalding marries former pitcher Scott McGregor, divorces, marries former Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson–divorces again–then marries former Expos outfielder Ron Calloway. Sporting goods manufacturers would delight greatly in her full name of Leslie Spalding McGregor Wilson Calloway……….LPGA golfer Sally Little marries former Georgia Tech basketball player Jarrett Jack–divorces him–then marries former major leaguer […]

Remembering “Rapid Robert”

The numbers are staggering:  266 victories, over 3,800 innings pitched, 279 complete games, twelve one-hitters–all while missing nearly four seasons due to military service.  Oh, he was also a World War II hero (gun captain on the USS Alabama), World Series champion, and an eventual baseball Hall of Famer.  When I first heard about the death of legendary pitcher Bob […]

Lazzari’s Baseball Roundup 5

TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1990 Chicago White Sox–who finished 2nd in the AL West under manager Jeff Torborg–had three players who stole more than 30 bases apiece. Can you name this trio? Answer to follow……….There have been many questionable decisions over the years regarding baseball’s postseason awards, but how ’bout this one for pure insanity: In […]

Lazzari’s Baseball Roundup 4

TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1987 Cincinnati Reds–who finished 2nd in the NL West under Pete Rose–had four players who hit more than 20 home runs apiece. How many of these players can you name? Answer to follow……….I used to think that a Steve Carlton slider was a pure thing of beauty–that is, until I saw a […]

Lazzari’s Baseball Roundup 3

Great quote by WDRC-FM’s Mike Stevens last week following the Red Sox 14-5 loss to Tampa Bay–a game where Daisuke Matsuzaka gave up EIGHT earned runs in just over four innings: “Dice-K was serving up more meat than the Golden Arches.”……….TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1987 Baltimore Orioles–who finished sixth in the AL East under Cal Ripken, […]

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