"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 11/26/11

The Yale women's ice hockey team is dedicating its upcoming game at Ingalls Rink on Friday, Dec. 2, to former player Mandi Schwartz--a member of the Class of 2010 who passed away earlier this year. The game vs. Princeton will be utilized as a fundraiser for the Mandi Schwartz Foundation. Senior forward Aleca Hughes, Yale's captain, started the charity in memory of her friend, Mandi--who battled cancer for more than two years. The goal is to fill Ingalls Rink; all are encouraged to wear white in a show of support during the "White Out for Mandi." No admission will be charged, but donations for the Foundation will be accepted at the door. Special white t-shirts will be sold, and youth hockey teams are encouraged to come wearing white jerseys. The team is also lining up pledges from donors based on the attendance total. This special event will also help raise awareness of the need for marrow donors/umbilical cord blood donors. More information can be obtained by visiting www.yalebulldogs.com ..........TRIVIA QUESTION: Who was the last NFL running back to lead the league in rushing for THREE consecutive seasons? Answer to follow..........*ATTENTION, DEMI MOORE: Now that you've split from Ashton Kutcher, how 'bout someone your own AGE for a change (yours truly waving hands wildly)? Sports columnists may not have that "Hollywood glitzy-thing" going on, but most whom I interact with are very LOYAL..........Did you know that the 1992 Seattle Seahawks scored a paltry season total of just 140 points (8.8 ppg)? During that ugly campaign, the team had a six-game stretch (Weeks 5-11) where they scored a grand total of just 22 points. Yep, I guess that's a valid reason why they finished 2-14 that year, huh?.........This week in sports history, November 29, 1992: N.Y. Jets defensive lineman Dennis Byrd suffers a paralyzing injury when he collides with teammate Scott Mesereau during a game vs. Kansas City played at Giants Stadium. This unfortunate event occurred when the two men were attempting to tackle Chiefs QB Dave Krieg. Byrd would end up suffering a fracture of the C-5 vertebra in his neck before being taken to Lenox Hill Hospital; he'd later undergo surgery in order to stabilize the neck and keep swelling to a minimum..........Scenario: Team Canada kayaker Kia Byers marries former NBA guard Phil Ford, divorces, marries retired English footballer Greg Lincoln--divorces again--then marries former MLB pitcher Jose Mercedes. Certain automobile manufacturers would rejoice as she is then known by the catchy name of Kia Ford Lincoln Mercedes..........Question: Which two-word term have you heard most often over the past year or so: "rising prices" or "recruiting violations?"..........Answer to trivia question: EMMITT SMITH of the Dallas Cowboys--who led the league each year from 1991 to 1993 with totals of 1,563, 1,713, and 1,486 respectively..........Anyone out there catch the photo of the lovely, dazzling Charlize Theron on the cover of this month's Vogue? Sheesh--and I used to think that watching Gayle Sayers carrying the football was the ultimate thing of beauty. My goodness.........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league pitcher Bob Tewksbury--who blows out 51 candles on November 30th. Drafted by the Yankees back in 1981, Tewksbury played for six teams between 1986 and 1998; he was a member of the Cardinals for six seasons. His best year came in 1992 while with St. Louis--a year in which he went 16-5 (best winning % in NL) and was named to the NL All-Star squad. All told, Tewksbury won 110 games in his career (31 complete games) and pitched to a respectable lifetime ERA of 3.92. Since his career ended, he has done a great deal of charitable work and has also worked as a sports psychology consultant for the Boston Red Sox. Best wishes, Bob..........Oh, another Bob would have celebrated a birthday this coming week, too. My Dad, Bob Sr.--who passed away last June--would have turned 84 on 11/29. Well, Pop, I just want to let you know that I've thought of you constantly over the past six months or so--especially when watching/writing about sports. Man, you were such a sports fan--and I miss your company. On those days when I feel a smidgen of sadness, I think of the good times we spent together; gosh, there were so many of them. In fact, you're probably watching some type of game as I write this--or talking sports with anyone who'll listen--so I'll just say "Happy birthday" for now. You're truly missed, "Big Bob."