Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/5/2012

1/5/1920:
The Yankees purchase 24-yaear-old Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox for the record price of $125,000. The sale is prompted by Ruth's salary demands, his frequent immature behavior, and the financial difficulties of Sox owner Harry Frazee. Ruth caused a national sensation in 1919 when he struck 29 homers, breaking the previous mark of 27 set by Ed Williamson of the Chicago White Stockings in 1884. The folly of selling Ruth will become apparent during the 1920 season when he will nearly double his previous home run record by clouting 54. The Yanks will win the World Series for the first time in 1923, but the Red Sox won't win a world championship again until 2004, in a historic lapse known as "the Curse of the Bambino."

Birthdays:
Lou Carnesecca b. 1925
Chuck Noll b. 1932
Chuck McKinley b. 1941
Alex English b. 1954
Warrick Dunn b. 1975

"He who is of a calm and happy nature will hardly feel the pressure of age." - Plato, Greek philosopher, (c. 428-348 B.C.)

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