Sports Fact and Book Rec of the Day 10/31/2007

10/31/1987:
The Indianapolis Colts pay a steep price to acquire superlative running back Eric Dickerson from the Los Angeles Rams. After sending unsigned linebacker Cornelius Bennett to Buffalo for two No. 1 draft choices, a No. 2 pick and running back Greg Bell, the Colts package three No. 1 picks, three No. 2 picks, Bell and running back Owen Gill to the Rams for the three-time NFL rushing champion. Dickerson set the all-time single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards in 1984 but has worn out his welcome in L.A., waging an endless cold war of monetary squabbles with Rams management after his considerable achievements rendered his long-term contract decidedly below market value.

Birthdays:
Phil Goyette b. 1933
Frank Shorter b. 1947
John Lucas b. 1953
Fred McGriff b. 1963
Steve Trachsel b. 1970

WEIRD SCIENCE

True crime junkies, take heed. The tale of Henry Cotton will make your skin crawl. Cotton was a psychiatrist in the 1920s who was obsessed by infections and had many people—including his own family members—dragged into operating theaters for invasive, ridiculous surgeries. (Can you imagine having your colon removed against your will and for no reason?) The story only gets worse when a whistleblower exposes him, only to have her research covered up to save Cotton’s reputation. Academic, yes, but very readable and truly gruesome.

MADHOUSE: A TRAGIC TALE OF MEGALOMANIA AND MODERN MEDICINE, by Andrew Scull (Yale University Press, 2005)