Sports Fact and Book Rec of the Day 11/29/2007

11/29/1967:
Adding two quality performers to their expansion roster in exchange for two veterans who don't figure in their plans, the St. Louis Blues acquire center Red Berenson and defenseman Barclay Plager from the New York Rangers for Ron Stewart and Ron Attwell. Stewart's best days are long gone and Attwell will play exactly four games for the Rangers, but Berenson and Plager will become two of the mainstays of the St. Louis club. Berenson, nicknamed "the Red Baron," will score 172 goals in eight seasons with the Blues, separated by a stint with Detroit. Plager steps right into the defensive leadership as the Blues advance to three straight Stanley Cup finals (1968-70).

Birthdays:
Minnie Minoso b. 1922
Neal Broten b. 1959
Howard Johnson b. 1960
Mariano Rivera b. 1969
Jamal Mashburn b. 1972

YOU’VE NEVER READ GEORGE SAUNDERS?

“A writer of arresting brilliance and originality.”—Tobias Wolff

“The bold successor to Thomas Pynchon and Kurt Vonnegut.”—Time

“A provocateur, a moralist, a zealot, a lefty, and a funny, funny writer.”—Esquire

A piercing, riotous satire: A border dispute erupts between Inner and Outer Horner, and a dictator from Outer Horner—the Phil of the title—seizes control. Until the neighboring Greater Keller intervenes....Political sendups should all be this pithy and direct.

THE BRIEF AND FRIGHTENING REIGN OF PHIL, by George Saunders (Riverhead Trade, 2005)