Sports Fact of the Day 5/6/2007

(My dad turns 72 today!)
5/6/1998:
Rookie right-hander Kerry Wood of the Chicago Cubs becomes only the second pitcher to strike out 20 batters in a nine-inning game, one-hitting the Houston Astros, 2-0, at Wrigley Field. Wood sets a new National League mark, passing Steve Carlton (1969), Tom Seaver (1970) and David Cone (1991), who shared the old mark of 19. Roger Clemens of the Red Sox in 1986 and again in 1996 is the only other hurler with 20 in a nine-inning game (to date). A Texas native like Clemens, Wood will be named NL Rookie of the Year after he finishes the season 13-6 with 233 K's despite missing all of September with a torn elbow ligament.

Birthdays:
Weeb Ewbank b. 1907
John Vaught b. 1908
Willie Mays b. 1931
Masanori Murakami b. 1944
Martin Brodeur b. 1972