Sports Fact and Book Rec of the Day 06/11/2008

6/11/1952:
For the second time in his career (also 8/28/50), Hank Sauer hits three home runs off Phillies left-hander Curt Simmons at Wrigley Field, the first time in history the same major league batter hit three dingers in one game off the same pitcher twice. Today's homers are all leadoff solo shots and account for all the scoring as the Cubs edge the Phils, 3-2. Sauer, known as "the Mayor of Wrigley Field," is enjoying his finest season. He'll tie Ralph Kiner for the National League leadership in homers with 37, lead the league with 121 RBIs and win the Most Valuable Player award.

Birthdays:
Ernie Nevers b. 1902
Vince Lombardi b. 1913
Jackie Stewart b. 1939
Joe Montana b. 1956
Scott Mellanby b. 1966

1978:
Rookie golfer Nancy Lopez won the LPGA Championship with a 13-under-par 275, six shots better than her closest competitor. She burst onto the golf scene this year and won nine tournaments, including a record five in a row.

"Lopez drives the ball high, far and straight; carves her iron shots with the decisive sound a butcher makes on his chopping block; and has a delicate touch on the greens, as if all her putts are rolling on velvet." -Barry McDermott, June 19, 1978

Packers Fact:
Marquard Manuel started at safety for Seattle in Super Bowl XL in the 2005 season. He signed with the Packers as a free agent in 2006.


“The Watchmaker” is a serial killer who always leaves a ticking clock behind with his victims. Lincoln Rhyme is the quadriplegic forensic detective who must uncover and foil the murderer’s ingenious plots. Unfortunately, his best on-the-scene investigator is wrapped up in her own police corruption case. Deaver’s seventh Rhyme novel may be his most suspenseful and cleverest yet.

COLD MOON: A LINCOLN RHYME NOVEL, by Jeffery Deaver (Simon & Schuster, 2006)