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December 21, 2005

Another holiday shopping list

By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist


Here we are again, that time of year when additional time is spent thinking about gifts and giving. And this is the week that most of those gifts are distributed.

The sports community, despite being busy with tournaments and bowl games, is no exception. Therefore, let us take a few moments of your time to offer this wish list.

These are the gifts that we would give – if we could – during this holiday season. Some are in fun, others quite serious. A few are even repeat gifts from previous lists that have not yet materialized. We hope you enjoy them.

MIKE PELLEGRINO: a win over St. Augustine (the only thing he didn’t get this fall)
BOB WEISS: an injury-free season
FRANK BASILE: legalized sports betting in Atlantic City (we tried to give this to him last year but they wouldn’t let us)
DAVE FLETCHER & THE OCEAN CITY PBA: The thanks of the basketball community for their involvement in the Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend and their sponsorship of awards on All Star Saturday.
ROCCO SANSONE: a Tri-County title
JIM HANDSHAW: a back support
WALT TUCKER: Field Turf for Carey Stadium and the Tennessee Avenue soccer complex
DAVE TROIANO: a relaxing holiday week
BUDDY TARBOTTON: a play-by-play schedule that doesn’t conflict with the Flyers
JOHN BRUNO & PAUL BARUFFI: another sweep in their final two doubleheaders – against Middle Township and Triton
TONY BLUM: Super Bowl seats to watch Eli & Tiki
FRAN ST. JOHN: a few more O’Donnells
WHITEY HAAK: a retirement that allows him to watch the best in basketball – and get in a few golf trips
JOHN HUFF: an indoor golf course
GREG GOODWIN: many more big wins like the one over Woodrow Wilson
TOM GETZKE: another week in Florida
CHRIS FORD: a good disguise, so he can watch some high school boys basketball
BILL BECKER: enough time between jobs for a beer and a sandwich
ROB SEITZINGER: a part in the Broadway version of Hollywood Knights
WAYNE COLMAN: the chance to watch his son coach Absegami to a South Jersey championship (they came so close this year)
BRIAN CUNNIFF: an eighth day each week
DENNIS SMITH: Mack & Manco’s, with pepperoni
LARRY DiGIOVANNI: a South Jersey championship
PAUL LeFEVER: Special thanks for all his extra work to make the Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend a success in its first year at OCHS
JIM SCHAFER: double frequent flyer miles
BUD RINCK: triple frequent flyer miles
GEORGE McNALLY: a quick arrival of January 15th
DAVE TALARICO: first class tickets to Las Vegas
KAREN SHUTZ: a successful coaching career
STEVE PARKER: a quick recovery and back on the first tee very soon
TOM ATTANASI: see George McNally, above
TOM BECKER: some new lights for his gym
DENNY DiORIO: a third straight championship in 2006
JOE FAGAN: runway seats in Las Vegas
ERNIE TROIANO: a Papa John on every corner
DAVE LEWIS: a long and healthy coaching career
DAVE PFEIFER: an indoor track
TRISH HENRY: the quick return of all her keys
SCOTT WAHL: his business associates never catch him visiting ThreeStooges.com
KEN MOSCA: no more 14-0 challengers
PAT HOLDEN: a return to the CAL Coaches Shootout in April
BILL NICKLES: a full lineup in every match
GARY DEGENHARDT: no more sideline injuries
JIM GINN: a web page filled with photos of a South Jersey baseball championship
PHIL BIRNBAUM: finished tennis courts at Sixth Street
JACK BOYD: a winning bet from Bobby Barr
ROY WRIGHT: lots of scouting time
BOB GANNON: The gratitude of basketball fans for his work and the work of his staff – including Shirley Legette, Kenny Davis, Felicia Nixon, Paul Beese and Sheila Jones – in making the Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend operate so smoothly
VAN CATHCART: see George McNally, above
PETE YARD: Christmas lights for all his trees
TRISH LeFEVER: lucky No. 7
OFFICER JOE FUSSNER: a new printer
CHARLIE WOOD: a healthy 2006, for him and the Red Sox
GARY HEGH: free food
BRUCE BEAVER: his own line of spandex workout suits that he can promote on his new cable fitness show – Eat Bread & Stay in Shape
KENNY JOHNSON: success at Pleasantville as a coach like he had as a player
TO THE REST OF YOU: have a very happy holiday season and remember to take advantage of the good times and live them to their fullest while they last. After all, the two most popular athletes in Philadelphia a year ago were Jim Thome and Terrell Owens.



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