Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 9/12-9/13/2009

9/12/1969:
The Miracle Mets sweep a double header from the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1-0 and 1-0, with their two starting pitchers driving in the only two runs they'll score all night. Jerry Koosman spins a three-hitter in the opener and gets only his fourth hit (and first TBI) of the season to plate the Mets' only run in the fifth inning. In the second game, Don Cardwell pitches four-hit hball over eight innings and drives in the only run he'll need with a second-inning single. The Mets will astound the baseball world by going from ninth place last season to a World Series championship this year.

Birthdays:
Jesse Owens b. 1913
Albie iPearson b. 1934
Vernon Maxwell b. 1965
Ki-Jana Carter b. 1973
Yao Ming b. 1980

Packers Fact:
Gerry Ellis averaged more yards per carry in his career with the Packers than any other player in club history (minimum 750 attempts). He averaged 4.58 yards for the 836 times that he ran the ball from 1980 to 1986.


MYSTERIOUS DOINGS
In Harley Jane Kozak’s second mystery novel, greeting-card artist Wollie (short for Wollstonecraft) Shelly returns to become involved as a contestant on a reality-TV show about dating and potential parenting. In the meantime, her friend and math tutor, Annika, disappears, and the LAPD doesn’t seem all that interested in finding her. Charming, clever, and not a little bit tricky, Dating Is Murder is a book to curl up with if you enjoy the likes of Janet Evanovich and Sue Grafton.

DATING IS MURDER, by Harley Jane Kozak (Broadway Books, 2006)

9/13/1941:
War Relic (carrying 107 pounds) upsets Triple Crown winner Whirlaway (118) in the Narragansett Special handicap at Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Ridden by Ted Atkinson, War Relic withstands Whirlaway's late charge to win by four and a half lengths. Equifox runs third and Haltal gets fourth. War Relic leads all the way and holds his advantage, even as the crowd of 43,000 urges Whirlaway on in the closing stages.

Birthdays:
Emilie Francis b. 1926
Rick Wise b. 1945
Bernie Williams b. 1968
Goran Ivanisovic b. 1971
Daisuke Matsuzaka b. 1980

GEEK’S REVENGE

The ultimate baseball fantasy is a world in which you understand the deepest inner and outer workings of the game and can see its trajectories, its ups and downs, strategies, and chances. In this month of feverish play-offs, let “professional fan” and deeply serious geek Zack Hample (How to Snag Major League Baseballs) be your coach. You’re sure to find something of interest here, whether you are a committed fan, the wife or girlfriend of a fan, a wannabe fan, a lover of trivia, or someone who just likes to read. Filled with trivia, valuable definitions, and interesting discussions.

WATCHING BASEBALL SMARTER: A PROFESSIONAL FAN’S GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS, SEMI-EXPERTS, AND DEEPLY SERIOUS GEEKS, by Zack Hample (Vintage Books, 2007)