Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/2/2009

1/2/1980:
Unstoppable in the low post with his patented turnaround jumper, Elvin Hayes scores 34 points including 9 in the second overtime to give the Washington Bullets a 139-134 victory over the SuperSonics at the Seattle Center Coliseum. It's the first meeting of the year between the two clubs, which have met in the last two NBA Finals, each club winning one world title. Jump shots by Jake Sikma at the end of regulation and a three-pointer by Dennis Johnson at the end of the first OT allow Seattle to prolong the game until three of their starters foul out and the Bullets finally prevail.

Birthdays:
Gino Marchetti b. 1927
Robbie Ftorek b. 1952
David Cone b. 1963
Edgar Martinez b. 1963
Pernell Whitaker b. 1964

Packers Fact:
In his first 16 NFL seasons (entering 2007), Brett Favre passed for more yards against the Detroit Lions (7,774) than against any other NFL team.



SERIAL FAVORITE
In Janet Evanovich’s 13th series mystery, Stephanie Plum, the scrappy bounty hunter from Trenton, N.J., is up to her cute little neck in the familiar cast of characters (ex-husband Dickie, charismatic sometime boyfriend Joe, sexy colleague Ranger, eccentric Grandma Mazur), as well as new adventures in money laundering, drug running, and, of course, murder. A delightful dish of laughs and adrenaline from a much-loved series. Publishers Weekly starred review.

LEAN MEAN THIRTEEN, by Janet Evanovich (St. Martin’s Press, 2007)

AN ABSORBING QUESTION

WHY DOES PEPPER MAKE US SNEEZE?

Experts say: It’s because of piperine, a chemical that creates the biting sensation when you taste pepper. Smell and taste are linked, so when piperine hits the tongue, it also hits the delicate membranes of the nose. When finely ground pepper particles are drawn into the nose, the body tries to get rid of them like it would any other foreign particles, by sneezing.

"I was on my way to the doctor with rear end trouble and my universal joint gave way, causing me to have an accident."

Actual statement on an insurance form, in which the driver was trying to explain the accident in as few words as possible.