Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/31-2/1/2009

1/31/2004:
Broncos quarterback John Elway, Lions running back Barry Sanders, Vikings defensive end Carl Eller and offensive lineman Bob Brown are elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Elway guided Denver to a pair of Super Bowl titles after losing three earlier visits to the big game. Sanders rushed for over 15,000 yards in 10 seasons before abruptly retiring at age 30. Eller anchored the famed "Purple People Eater" defense for Minnesota, and Brown excelled in the trenches for the Eagles, Rams and Raiders, patiently waiting through 26 years of eligibility before gaining admission to the Hall of Fame.

Birthdays:
Jackie Robinson b. 1919
Hank Aguirre b. 1931
Ernie Banks b. 1931
Camille "the Eel" Henry b. 1933
Nolan Ryan b. 1947

2/1/1964:
Power Memorial High School of New York City, led by Lew Alcindor, wins its 48th straight game by defeating Catholic school powerhouse DeMatha of Hyattsville, Maryland, 65-62. Alcindor dominates play with 35 points (20 in the second half) and 17 rebounds. Over 13,000 fans pack the gymnasium at the University of Maryland for the showdown between two unbeaten teams. DeMatha's 23-game winning streak (over two seasons) is snapped.

Birthdays:
Paul Blair b. 1944
Dick Snyder b. 1944
T.R. Dunn b. 1955
Malik Sealy b. 1970
Tommy Salo b. 1971

Packers Fact:
The Packers tied a team record by returning 2 interceptions for touchdowns in a 26-7 victory over the Bears to close the 2006 season. Safety Nick Collins (55 yards) and cornerback Patrick Dendy (30 yards) were the two players to return thefts for scores in that game.

DON’T DRINK THE WATER

In 1854, London (then a city of about 2 million) was hit by the worst—though by no means the first—cholera epidemic in its history. Prevailing notions of how the disease was caused featured ideas as far-fetched as the “miasma theory.” Here is the compelling story of Dr. John Snow’s persevering search for the real source, and of how cities and societies evolve in response to events. Publishers Weekly starred review.

THE GHOST MAP: THE STORY OF LONDON’S MOST TERRIFYING EPIDEMIC AND HOW IT CHANGED CITIES, SCIENCE, AND THE MODERN WORLD, by Steven Johnson (Riverhead, 2006)

BOOK LOVER’S PICK
This unquantifiable masterpiece is divided into seven chapters, each named after a stage in the alchemical pursuit of perfection and knowledge. It invites you to examine and create a world out of the materials of the world, both real and imaginary (invoking the whole Dewey decimal system of human knowledge). Each exhibit has an interactive paper model, its own Muse, and its own beauty. Be prepared to think, dream, and create. Publishers Weekly starred review.

THE MUSEUM OF LOST WONDER, by Jeff Hoke (Weiser Books, 2006)

On compliments, uncomplimentary:

There's no end to your limitations, Stephanie.

game show host Bob Eubanks to Stephanie Edwards, during the 2006 Tournament of Roses telecast (thanks to Scott Eadie)

On speculations, unnecessary:

Wow ... if only a face could talk.

sportscaster John Madden, during the Packers-Patriots Super Bowl XXXI (thanks to Nathan White)

LEGAL BRIEFS

NAMES OF ACTUAL COURT CASES

• Friends of Kangaroo Rat v. California Dept. of Corrections
• U.S. v. Pipe on Head
• United States of America v. 2,116 Boxes of Boned Beef, Weighing Approximately 154,121 Pounds, and 541 Boxes of Offal, Weighing Approximately 17,732 Pounds
• Schmuck v. Dumm
• Jones v. God, Jesus, Others
• Julius Goldman’s Egg City v. United States
• Klink v. Looney

HINDU HOLY DAYS BEGIN AT SUNRISE, JEWISH HOLY DAYS AT SUNSET, AND CHRISTIAN HOLY DAYS AT MIDNIGHT.

ROLL CALL

HOW FOOTBALL TEAMS GOT THEIR NAMES

• Pittsburgh Steelers. Originally named the Pirates after Pittsburgh’s professional baseball team. In 1940 owner Al Rooney renamed the team for the city’s steel industry.
• Atlanta Falcons. In 1965 the new team held a contest to name the franchise. A teacher suggested Falcons: “The falcon is proud and dignified, with great courage and fight. It is deadly and has a great sporting tradition.”
• Indianapolis Colts. The team used to be based in Baltimore, which has a long tradition of horse breeding and racing.

THE DEGREE SIGN ( ° ) IS AN ANCIENT SYMBOL REPRESENTING THE SUN.

GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE

Q: Samarkand, the fabled city of legendary beauty that served as a capital for the 14th-century conqueror Tamerlane and a key stop on the Silk Road, lies in what modern-day country?

a) Iran
b) Oman
c) Uzbekistan
d) Yemen

Answer: c, Uzbekistan.