Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 6/23/2007

6/23/1972:
In one of the NBA's most misguided transactions, the Houston Rockets trade Elvin Hayes to the Baltimore Bullets for Jack Marino. Under enormous pressure, Hayes averages 27 ppg, but was perceived as selfish and uncoachable, hastening his departure. He'll go on to play nine exceptional seasons with the Bullets before returning to Houston for three more years. He'll score over 27,000 points in 16 seasons (21 ppg.) and be selected one of the NBA's Top 50 Greatest Players in 1996.

Birthdays:
Walter Dukes b. 1930
Wilma Rudolph b. 1940
Filbert Bayi b. 1953
Felix Potvin b. 1971
LaDainian Tomlinson b. 1979

THRILLERS

This smart legal thriller, reminiscent of Presumed Innocent, is set in the world of Orthodox Judaism. St. Louis lawyer David Hirsch is in the process of atoning for his sins and getting his life in order when he takes on a case that will lead him into corruption and evil and danger. The pseudonymous Baron—a lawyer from St. Louis himself—explores themes like sin, redemption, and justice within the framework of a top-notch thriller. The Mourning Sexton is complicated, gripping, and intelligent—a brilliant debut.

THE MOURNING SEXTON, by Michael Baron (Jove, 2006)