Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/12-14/2010

1/12/1968:
In a rebounding scrum under the basket, All-American UCLA center Lew Alcindor suffers a scratched cornea when he's poked in the eye by Ted Henderson of the California Golden Bears at Harmon Gymnasium in Berkeley. Alcindor immediately leaves the game (a 94-64 UCLA victory) and will miss the next two Bruins contests as well, but he'll be rushed back into the lineup eight days from now against the Houston Cougars for the nationally televised "Game of the Century" at the Astrodome. Suffering from blurred vision and clearly not up to par after missing practice most of the week, he'll score only 15 points as Houston snaps UCLA's 47-game winning streak, 71-69.

Birthdays:
Mac Speedie b. 1920
Joe Frazier b .1944
Tom Dempsey b. 1947
Dominique Wilkins b. 1960
Dontrelle Willis b. 1982

Packers Fact:
Former NFL star Mark Murphy succeeded Bob Harlan as the Packers' president and CEO in 2008.

1/13/1993:
The Vanderbilt Commodores close the game on a 27-11 run at their uniquely designed Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville to rout top-ranked and previously unbeaten Kentucky, 101-86. Guard Billy McCaffrey, a transfer from Duke, leads Vandy with 22 points, 14 assists and 11-of-11 from the foul line. Scoring numerous baskets on fast breaks, Vanderbilt outshoots Kentucky from the floor 63% to 41% and holds Wildcat star Jamal Mashburn to only 14 points, well below his average.

Birthdays:
Tom Gola b. 1933
Bob Baffert b. 1953
Mark O'Meara b. 1957
Kelly Hrudey b. 1961
Kevin Mitchell b. 1962

Packers Fact:
Former NFL safety Mark Murphy (the Packers' president and CEO) starred with the Washington Redskins for eight seasons from 1977 to 1984.

1/14/2004:
Jaromir Jagr scores the equalizer from an impossible angle with one second remaining in regulation time to give the Washington Capitals a 3-3 tie with Calgary at the MCI Center. There is no scoring in the game for the first 54 minutes and then the two clubs combine for six goals in the last six minutes, including three in the final 60 seconds. Calgary outshoots the Caps, 44-25, and assumes they've got it won at 19:21 of the third period when Jarome Iginla gives them a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately for the Flames, Jagr will throw the puck on net from the end boards and literally bank it in off the back of Calgary goaltender Jamie McLennan's pads just before the green light comes on to signify the expiration of time on the clock.

Birthdays:
Smead Jolley b. 1902
Sonny Siebert b. 1937
Fred Arbanas b. 1939
Gene Washington b. 1947
Terry Forster b. 1952

Packers Fact:
On January 14, 1968, the Packers routed the AFL's Oakland Raiders 33-14 to win Super Bowl II at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

WALKER IN THE CITIES

According to the book jacket, psychogeography is defined as “meditation on the vexed relationship between psyche and place.” Will Self practices psychogeography by discovering, on foot, the streets of São Paulo, Singapore, Los Angeles, London, and numerous other exotic and familiar cityscapes. The essays that result make for a stimulating amalgam of idea and anecdote. Edgy, kinky illustrations by Ralph Steadman make a perfect accompaniment to Self’s wry, ground-level observations.

PSYCHOGEOGRAPHY: DISENTANGLING THE MODERN CONUNDRUM OF PSYCHE AND PLACE, by Will Self; illustrations by Ralph Steadman (Bloomsbury USA, 2007)

JUST ANOTHER UNHAPPY FAMILY

John Burnham Schwartz’s well-researched novel of Japan’s imperial world is based on the true story of Michiko Shoda, a commoner who married Crown Prince Akihito in the late 1950s. Alas, they did not live happily ever after. Schwartz’s fictional account is believable in its detail, evocative in its portrayal of an exalted, hidden world, and often heartrendingly sad.

THE COMMONER, by John Burnham Schwartz (Nan A. Talese, 2008)

BLOGALICIOUS

Where did these words originate: therapised, dudely, underwearian, fugly, vomit-y, consciousness-jumped, mommyblogdaciousness, Nero-crazy, pidginized, votenfreude, angsty? In blogs, of course! And these examples are just a few reasons that New York Times writer Sarah Boxer loves really good blogs. Here she presents 27 of her all-time favorites, which include opinions from polished and published journalists as well as the inspired rants and jeremiads of the unknown.

ULTIMATE BLOGS: MASTERWORKS FROM THE WILD WEB, by Sarah Boxer (Vintage, 2008)

BOHEMIA CLASICA

FEMSA, Monterrey, Mexico

Bohemia is one of those rare, world-class beers you can actually find in the beer section of your local liquor store. The pour reveals a bright, very pale color with just a touch of white lace, but that’s where the resemblance to an everyday light lager stops. Floral, fruity malt aromas start you off, retaining a German cleanliness while managing a paradoxical complexity—those familiar with New Zealand pinot wines might find something familiar here. Chilled, it’s almost a waste of said complexities, but at its very worst, it’s still a remarkably refreshing lager. Warm it up, and you’ll be rewarded with some surprising details. They don’t call this one Clásica for nothing.

BEER FACT

FEMSA (Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A. de C.V.), which originated as the Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery in 1890, is the largest beverage company in Mexico.

SUNDANCE AMBER ALE

Boulder Beer Co., Boulder, Colorado

This innovative ale really gets to the heart of American craft beer. It takes the British bitter, with its caramel sweetness and hoppy finish, adds a dash of German malt smoothness and depth, then tops it all off with American-grown hops for a distinctive spicy edge. Lots going on here, but it culminates in a full-bodied but eminently drinkable amber ale. Try it with barbecue, blue-veined cheeses, or almond milk-chocolate.

STYLE TIP

Traditional British bitter is categorized into three classes by strength: Standard or Ordinary Bitter, Special or Best Bitter (sometimes called Premium Bitter) and Extra Special or Strong Bitter (sometimes called English pale ale).

ST. BERNARDUS WIT

Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV, Watou, Belgium

There’s much to love about this Belgian monastic beer. The weight of the sturdy brown bottle. The label’s smiling bald guy, chalice of pale and foamy drink in hand. And so much more. A bready maltiness, a touch of coriander, and a hint of clove accompany the Wit’s exuberant fizz. Sediment muddles the brew, but go with it—“white beers” are meant to be cloudy. It finishes with a spritzy tartness; you can almost taste a bit of lemony citrus. Complex, light, and refreshing, this is a beer for summer. Highly recommended.