Sports Fact and Book Rec of the Day 10/11/2007

10/11/1963:
John Roderick scores two touchdowns and Bill Gannon goes in from two yards out with two minutes left to lead SMU to a stirring 32-28 upset of unbeaten Navy, led by Roger Staubach, at the Cotton Bowl. The Midshipmen lead 25-13 late in the third quarter, but SMU benefits from a key interception by Dave Corder to change the flow of the game. Staubach, destined to win the Heisman Trophy this season, has two chances to pull it out from the eight-yard line in the final seconds, but both of his passes are broken up in the end zone by the Mustang secondary.

Birthdays:
Maria Bueno b. 1939
Steve Young b. 1961
Dmitri Young b. 1973
Jason Arnett b. 1974
Michelle Wie b. 1989


Jonathan Hemlock has an unusual way of supporting his art habit: assassination. The Eiger Sanction takes him to the Swiss Alps on a dangerous mission filled with deceit and intrigue. Trevanian was at the top of his game in the 1970s, and his books are being rediscovered for their excellent thrills and wit. “Trevanian can write hoops around Ian Fleming,” promises The Boston Globe.

THE EIGER SANCTION, by Trevanian (1972; Three Rivers Press, 2005)

Clint Eastwood stars in the movie version of The Eiger Sanction.