Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 3/18/2009

3/18/1952:
Bruins fans stage a special night to honor their beloved "Kraut Line" of center Milt Schmidt, left wing Woody Dumart and right wing Bobby Bauer, who comes out of retirement to play one final game with his mates. Boston beats the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-0, clinching a playoff berth with Sugar Jim Henry between the pipes. Schmidt scores his 200th career goal and assists from both Dumart and Bauer. He also assists on all three of the other Boston goals, including one by Bauer-who shows no signs of rust after being out of the league for five years. All three were quick to sign on with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942 and served with valor for the duration of the war at the peak of their careers.

Birthdays:
Mike Webster b. 1952
Guy Carbonneau b. 1960
Curt Warner b. 1961
Bonnie Blair b. 1964
Brian Griese b. 1975

Packers Fact:
Defensive end Aaron Kampman earned the first Pro Bowl selection of his career when he posted 113 tackkles and 15.5 sacks for the Packers in 2006.

FIGHTING WORDS

Journalist and Shakespeare lover Ron Rosenbaum (Explaining Hitler, 1998) uncovers the arguments, politics, backstabbing, and even a court case that have accompanied performances and interpretations of Shakespeare’s works over the centuries. His enthusiasm and knowledge sparkle throughout. Publishers Weekly starred review.

THE SHAKESPEARE WARS: CLASHING SCHOLARS, PUBLIC FIASCOES, PALACE COUPS, by Ron Rosenbaum (Random House, 2006)

A PLACE TO GO

KILLER BEE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

Killer bees emerged in the 1950s when some African bees escaped from a South American lab and bred with the local bees, creating a volatile spawn that migrated north. In 1990 they crossed into the United States through Hidalgo, Texas. Did the town flee in horror? Nope. They used it to promote tourism. Hidalgo spent $20,000 to build the “World’s Largest Killer Bee,” a 10-foot-tall, black-and-yellow bee, in the center of town.

Q: WHAT DO YOU CALL THE SKIN THAT PEELS OFF AFTER A SUNBURN?
A: BLYPE.

ST. KITTS, LESSER ANTILLES

“The pleasure of leaving home, care-free, with no concern but to enjoy . . .”—HERMAN MELVILLE

On Oh, Go Stick Your Head In That Bowl Of Love:

I ask myself, do I feel like I hold the bowl of love and go out there in the universe, whether with this person or alone, and have that shield and glow that's incredible? Or do I feel depressive and self-conscious and like I'm walking on eggshells?

actress Drew Barrymore