Sports Fact and Book Rec of the Day 04/30/2008

4/30/1966:
Rick Reichardt becomes only the seventh American League batter to hit two home runs in one inning, keying a 12-run eighth as the California Angels rout the Red Sox, 16-9, at Fenway Park. After signing a huge "Bonus Baby" contract of $200,000 in 1964, Reichardt never really blossoms into superstardom. He'll play only six seasons of 100 games or more, compile a lifetime batting average of .261 with a modest total of 116 homers and be out of baseball at age 31.

Birthdays:
Bob Hendley b. 1939
Phil Garner b. 1949
Isiah Thomas b. 1961
Al Toon b. 1963
Dave Meggett b. 1966

1972:
Soccer fans were stunned when West Germany upset England at London's Wembley Stadium in the quarterfinals of the European Cup of Nations.

"The Germans won rather easily 3-1 by outrunning the comparatively lethargic English and capitalizing on their scoring opportunities with flashing skill and determination. The English, aggressive but unimaginative, proved too slow and too methodical to overcome the German defense. The British morning-after press viewed the defeat as a national disaster." -Tex Maule, May 8, 1972

Packers Fact:
Brett Favre played his 15th season in a Packers' uniform in 2006. That equaled linebacker Ray Nitschke for the second-most in club history, behind only quarterback Bart Starr's 16 years.

MARY LOSES IT AGAIN

“George has created a lively, gallant Mary of intelligence, charm and terrible judgment. . . . A popular, readable, inordinately moving tribute to a remarkable queen.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

At 880 pages, this is definitely a book to get lost in. It brings to life the charm and elegance of the French court, the rough world of Protestant Scotland, and the turbulent England of Elizabeth I. Mary’s life was one of intrigue, love, and betrayal; and she was, herself, a figure of beauty, heart, and folly. George’s exhaustive research is used to great and vivid effect.

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTLAND AND THE ISLES, by Margaret George (St. Martin’s Griffin, 1997)