Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 5/15/2007

5/15/1960:
Making his first appearance for the Cubs after a trade from the Phillies just two days ago, Don Cardwell pitches a no-hitter, blanking the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-0. Only a first-inning walk to Alex Grammas mars what could have been a perfect game for the tall right-hander. Ernie Banks hits a two-run homer to provide sufficient offensive support, and outfielders George Altman and Moose Moryn both make fine running catches in the ninth inning to preserve the gem. It's the first time the Cardinals have been no-hit since 1919, when Hod Eller of the Reds set them down.

Birthdays:
Don Nelson b. 1940
George Brett b. 1953
John Smoltz b. 1967
Emmitt Smith b. 1969
Ray Lewis b. 1975

QUIRKY HISTORIES

Stewart Lee Allen believes that the course of history has been shaped by coffee, and he’ll convince you he’s right in this nifty little history of the magic bean. Allen traveled from Ethiopia and Yemen to Paris and the American South for his research, and his findings are wildly entertaining. Are caffeinated societies better able to dominate decaffeinated ones? The American Civil War pitted Southern decaf (chickory) drinkers against caffeinated Northern force....Coincidence? Allen thinks not. This book is a must for history buffs with a quirky streak and perhaps a penchant for a fresh brew.

THE DEVIL’S CUP: A HISTORY OF THE WORLD ACCORDING TO COFFEE, by Stewart Lee Allen (Ballantine Books, 2003)