Sports Fact and Book Rec of the Day 05/01/2008

5/1/1931:
New York Giants second baseman Hughie Critz picks a memorable day in the city's history to have a career day (five for five) at the plate as the McGrawmen blank Boston, 5-0, at the Polo Grounds. In downtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building is dedicated and President Hoover turns on the lights by a remote switch in Washington. Standing a majestic 1,250 feet, the world's tallest structure at the time provides a beacon of inspiration for millions of Americans coping with financial hardships during the throes of the Great Depression.

Birthdays:
Cliff Battles b. 1910
Chuck Bednarik b. 1925
Ollie Matson b. 1930
Steve Cauthen b. 1960
Curtis Martin b. 1973

1991:
In a game against the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics speedster Rickey Henderson stole his 939th career base and surpassed Lou Brock as the alltime best base stealer.

"Henderson's thrilling combination of speed, power, patience and defense is unparalleled, and if he retired today, he would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Brock, who is in the Hall of Fame, needed 19 years to steal 938 bases; Henderson is in his 13th season." -Tim Kurkjian, April 22, 1991


A BOOK LOVER’S GIFT
Jewels of paradise twinkle up at you from the almost otherworldly photography of Alain le Toquin. Morocco, Singapore, France, England, of course, and unusual beauties such as Versailles in snow . . . This does what a truly great coffee table book should do—it instantly transports you to places far away from your living room.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GARDENS IN THE WORLD, by Alain le Toquin (Harry N. Abrams, 2004)