Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 5/25/2007

5/25/1953:
Milwaukee Braves right-hander Max Surkont sets a new major league record by striking out eight consecutive batters as he goes the distance to defeat Cincinnati, 10-3, completing a doubleheader sweep at County Stadium. Surkont's feat surpasses the old mark of seven straight K's shared by Dazzy Vance (1924) and Van Lingle Mungo (1936). Tom Seaver of the Mets will shatter this record in 1970 when he fans 10 San Siego Padres in succession.

Birthdays:
Bill Sharman b. 1926
K.C. Jones b. 1932
Tom McMillen b. 1962
Miguel Tejada b. 1976
Brian Urlacher b. 1978

YOU’VE NEVER READ SIGRID UNDSET?

Jenny was scandalous when it was first published. The story of a Norwegian girl who goes to Rome to study painting and ends up having a baby after an adulterous affair, might remind readers of Edith Wharton’s creations. The writing is stellar, and the story involves a modern woman trapped by the narrow conventions of her times. If you’ve never read Undset’s work, Jenny is the best place to start.

JENNY, by Sigrid Undset (1911; Zoland Books, 1998)

Sigrid Undset won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928.