TOM WILLIAMS COLUMN: Another shopping list

It is upon us again, that time of year when additional time is spent thinking about gifts and giving. And this is the month 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 we may keep offering until they materialize.

And, even though they are offered as enjoyment, some of them actually work out. For example, in recent years we wished Paul Baruffi a return to the state final, Matt Szczur an All-American selection, the South Jersey win record for Paul Rodio, the Howell family a gym named after Dixie, a turf field at Carey Stadium for Mike Lenhardt (and Walt Tucker), George McNally a school in the Northeast for Lauren and a spot in the South Jersey Hall of Fame for Coach Joe Fussner.

They all happened.

Wonder which ones will come true this year. Regardless, hope you enjoy them.

JOHN HUFF: World Series championship No. 28.

AL EMENHEISER: a statue at Ninth and West worthy of a legend.

DAVE TALARICO: World Series tickets at Camden Yards.

FRANK RIGGITANO: a season without an injury list.

THE OCEAN CITY PBA: thanks again from the basketball community for their involvement in the Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend. With additional thanks to Tom Heist, Gary Schaffer, John Murphy, Karen Mahar, Wendy Moyle, Al Sacco and Jay Gillian.

CHUCK SMITH: a turf field for the Mustang Corral.

MIKE LOMBARDI SR.: a spot on Dancing with the Stars.

LEON HART: a brand new Hummer.

DAVE PFEIFER: his own indoor track in Absecon.

AARON BOGUSHEFSKY: another South Jersey title.

FRANK BASILE: dinner at the diner.

MATT SZCZUR: a spot in the Phillies’ outfield.

JIM GINN: a video camera.

GENE ALLEN: a fourth game against St. Augustine in the NJSIAA TOC.

MATT PURDUE: an 11-peat in 2018.

SCOTT WAHL: tickets to see the Packers in the Super Bowl.

WALT TUCKER: another year filled with lunches with the old guys.

MATT ULMER: a drone license.

BRUCE BEAVER: a pair of long pants.

MIKE McGARRY: unlimited Diet Cokes.

JOSH HENNIG: his own line of vitamins.

MARK RUCCI: the U.S. Senate in 2024.

MIKE TROUT: a spot in the Yankees lineup.

GARY HEGH: a second home in Alabama.

DOUG COLMAN: a trip to the Super Bowl as a coach.

TONY BLUM: unlimited soup and salad.

ANDREW DONOGHUE: continued success on the football field.

DAVE CATALANA: seats next to Donald Trump.

GEORGE McNALLY: reserved parking.

JOHN LEON: his new book made into a movie.

DEAN MICHALSKI: his own network.

GREG DONAHUE: more OCYAA Little League champions.

MIKE FRANKEL: a gig with The NFL Network.

RON MORETTI: delivery from Marcello’s.

SHERIANN & AMBER: lots of apples, pizza and hot dogs.

MIKE PELLEGRINO: a healthy 2018.

MICKEY BAKER: 32 minutes in every game.

HARRY SACHS: the Daily Double daily.

JIM SCHAFER: lots of cheesecake

MATT JAMISON: somebody to drive him to Bridgeton next football season.

DAVE KLEMIC: an Emmy award.

JOE FUSSNER: no more games with Wofford.

BRIDGET RUSKEY: continued success in college.

DAVE DeWEESE: a couple games in the Pine Belt Arena.

PAUL RODIO: a fourth game against Atlantic City in the NJSIAA TOC.

JOHN BRUNO: a year full of good memories.

BRIAN CUNNIFF: The Beatles said it – “Eight Days A Week”.

TERESA CUNNIFF: good media coverage for her Wildwood basketball team.

GARY SCHAFFER: a relaxing retirement.

DANIELLE DONOGHUE: her own YouTube channel.

BUDDY TARBOTTON: a basketball game every night.

MIKE BERGEN: two more wins for The Tide.

PETE THOMPSON: a very fast car.

CIERRA GRANGER: still more success running for the Ospreys.

AMANDA NUNAN: learn to love the color orange.

PAUL BARUFFI: yet another return to the state finals.

CHALIE McLAUGHLIN: a yacht with a driving range and putting green.

BOB ADAMS: a reserved seat on the aisle in the Dixie Howell Gym.

BOBBY BARR: a meaningful win for Duke.

CORY TERRY: sell her new company to Google.

HARRY PFEIFLE: lots more hook and laterals.

CHRIS LENTZ: a quiet 2018.

KATHY KICKISH: a medical tent.

DAVE WEINBERG: another sportswriter award.

MATT FUMO: continuing his amazing recovery.

GIUSEPPE UNGARO: a syndicated column.

MIKE GILL: a 300 game.

DON & GLENN WIESENTHAL: lots of Johnson’s Popcorn.

TORI ROLLS: an injury-free in the five seasons left in her high school career.

BUD RINCK: lots of million dollar homes to sell

TOM JAMISON: a repeat for Clemson.

AL SACCO: a $500 gas card to help with those trips to Carolina.

KEVIN SMITH: continued success in 2018.

STEVE PARKER: a weekend of rounds at St. Andrews.

DENNY DiORIO: an injury-free baseball season for his team.

TO THE REST OF YOU: have a very happy holiday season and a 2018 full of great sports moments.