Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 6/21/2007

6/21/1965:
Gary Player wins the U.S. Open in an 18-hole playoff with Australian Kel Nagle at Bellerive in St. Louis and then returns his $25,000 winner's check to the USGA to be spent on the development of youth golf ($20*) and for cancer research ($5K). The gracious South African is only the third golfer to achieve a career grand slam (all four majors), joining Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan. He's also the first foreign-born winner of the Open since Ted Ray of England in 1920.

Birthdays:
Howie Morenz b. 1902
Eddie Lopat b. 1918
Rick Sutcliffe b. 1956
Tom Chambers b. 1959
Derrick Coleman b. 1967


Uruguayan writer Chavarría is one of the darlings of the Latin American literary scene, winning prizes and wide readership for his wry tales. Adios Muchachos pits bicycle hooker Alicia against twisted businessman Victor in a tale that reminds readers to never hustle a hustler. The plot twists through Havana’s mansions and alleys, encountering prostitutes, perverts, and millionaires, as Alicia and Victor see who will triumph and finally bid Cuba adios. All the fun and corruption of a Carl Hiaasen novel, with even more sex and mayhem.

ADIOS MUCHACHOS, by Daniel Chavarría (Akashic Books, 2001)