Sidelines: Boom goes the Father’s Day column

I don’t recall my father, John Lazarczyk, ever having a nickname until recently. Friends and family always called him John. Maybe Johnny on occasion.

Now, and for the rest of time, my dad is Boom.

It started when he would play with my nephew, who is now 2. When he was a baby, Dad would gently bounce him on his knee and say “boom boom boom.”

Fast forward to when my nephew began to talk. The new chatterbox dubbed his grandfather “Boom.” Now everybody calls my father Boom. I’ll get text messages from my mom, “Boom is going to the doctor today.” “Boom and I didn’t get Final Jeopardy.”

That kid accomplished what nobody in 77 years had pulled off. He gave John Lazarczyk a nickname that stuck. My dad meets his buddies every morning for coffee. One of my fondest hopes is the old guys call him Boom between sips of coffee and whatever they chat about every day.

In honor of Father’s Day, I cede my space to Boom. I called him Saturday morning, and allowed Boom to offer up opinions on issues currently facing his four favorite professional sports teams, the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, and Boston Celtics. He didn’t have long to chat. His grandson was coming over.

Who should be the starting quarterback for the Patriots, Cam Newton or Mac Jones?

“Jones. I think Cam Newton is past his prime.

“I like Jones. I think you should put him right out there. It might take him a year or two to get the hang of it, but the quicker you put him out there the better it will be in the long run.”

Now that we’ve seen the Red Sox play for almost three months, what is their biggest need?

“Pitching. The bullpen seems to be all right, but I think they could use a couple (starting) pitchers.

“We have some good outfielders. We have some good infielders. But they need pitchers. They’re playing a lot better than I thought they would.”

Should the Bruins resign Tuukka Rask or go with Jeremy Swayman as the primary goaltender next season?

“That depends on how cheap they can get (Rask), and I’d use him as a backup. I’d start the kid. And they’re getting older. A lot of those guys are getting into their late-30s.

“I’d like them to bring back (Taylor). he’s not 30 yet.”

What do you think of the big trade the Celtics made Friday? (The Celtics traded Kemba Walker, the 16th pick in the upcoming NBA draft, and a second round pick in 2025 to the Oklahoma City Thunder for former Celtics forward Al Horford, center Moses Brown, and a second round pick in 2023).

“I think it’s OK. I like Horford. Walker is always hurt. I think they’re going to clean house and there’s going to be a lot more (trades).

“I don’t watch the NBA much, anyway. I watch the Celtics but that’s it. They take too many 3-pointers, and they don’t go inside anymore… I think each quarter you win, you should get a point, and another point for winning the game.”

Boom closing with an explosive idea for tweaking the NBA. Already living up to that new nickname.

Thanks, Boom.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM