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Performance of the Week | 5/3 – 5/9
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
By Paul Gotham
It is that time again. Let’s hear from you readers. We had another week of stellar performances. Pick the ONE that stands out to you, and tell us a story.
I am going with Dallas Braden for my POTW.
Twenty-seven up and twenty-seven down, the A’s lefty pitched perfection against the Tampa Rays. Obviously, tossing a perfect game is something special. Braden’s perfecto is only the 19th in the history of Major League Baseball. Not since hall-of-famer Jim “Catfish” Hunter in 1968 have the A’s had a perfect game.
But to do it against Tampa, the leaders of the AL East with the best record in all of baseball, makes the accomplishment even more special. The Rays rank third in MLB team hitting. Still, Braden pasted nothing but zeroes on the scoreboard. Entering play Sunday, opponents were hitting .340 against Braden’s fastball. After perfection opposing hitters dropped to a mark of .269. Against Braden’s curveball, opponents were hitting .364. That number shrunk to .267.
An aside to Braden’s feat, the native of Stockton, California spent a summer in the New York Collegiate Baseball League. He led the Hornell Dodgers to the 2003 NYCBL title. Along the way, he notched club marks for wins and strikeouts. Braden is also the co-holder of the league mark for 17 strikeouts in a game.
Who gets your POTW?
8 Responses to “Performance of the Week | 5/3 – 5/9”
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Steve Nash whose young legs and old mind make him still one of, if not the, top PG in the NBA. That game last night with one eye was classic. He’s amazing to watch!!
Dan,
Great call. I had a hard time not picking Nash. Scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter with, as you said a bandage over his eye, was stellar. Maybe, the Suns have a chance.
I’ll nominate the San Jose Sharks … for a surprisingly quick elimination of the Detroit Red Wings who are probably one of the most feared teams in the NHL.
No contest, have to give it to the perfect game.
Well the award won’t go to the Boston teams on Friday night – that is for sure. The Sox were blown out, the C’s suffered a huge loss at the hands of the Cavs and the Bruins lost in OT. Standing in Kings in Boston – every head turned from one game to the next. Each time a different swear word came out of Boston fans’ mouths. Tough night in Boston.
Gotta agree with Casey and Bill. The Perfect game on Mother’s Day is hands down the performance of the week. Especially against the Rays, and especially fitting as Braden was able to honor his own mother who he lost to cancer when he was a kid. Gotta imagine it will always be a special day for him going forward.
POTD … that’s Performance of ToDay … goes to the Chicago Blackhawks for closing out the Canucks in convincing fashion on the road. A big 5-1 beatdown for the 4-2 series win. Anti Niemi was stellar in goal and the Hawks penalty killers scored their 3rd shorthanded goal of this series … the key play in this game for sure. So it’s what I wanted in the West … Blackhawks vs Sharks. Now let’s see if we can get Canadiens vs Bruins in the East. Love these playoffs!
Oh … honorable mention today goes to the Celtics … nice demolishing of the Cavs in Cleveland. Lebron Who??? Don’t even bring his name up again in terms of All-time greats … let’s wait and see if he can actually WIN something other then MVP awards.
Out.
Wally,
Great call on the POTD. Go Hawks!
Game 7 tonight!!!!!! Montreal at Pittsburgh. There is NOTHING in professional sports like game 7 in the NHL!
Last night’s Cavs -Celts game is further proof of LeBron’s low basketball IQ. He is an outstanding ATHLETE and a good basketball player. There are so many things he does on the court which show his lack of understanding of the game. Take one very, very simple detail – triple threat. Watch LeBron every time he catches the ball in an offensive set. He is rarely, if ever, in a stance which could catch the defense unprepared. An experienced defensive team like the Celtics have figured out this. Let’s see if LBJ can adjust.
You know, I don’t follow basketball too closely, but the clips on sportscenter of the Cavs game – it almost looked like they were intentionally throwing the game. Does that still happen in sports?