Dallas Braden

Anytime there’s something as momentous as a perfect game, I’ve
got to write about it.

Yes, Dallas Braden, starting pitcher for the Oakland A’s
threw a perfect game against the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays Sunday afternoon,
becoming only the 19^th pitcher in major league history to do so.

Despite the stats, though – despite the game, the score, the
pitch count, all of that – one thing that makes this perfect game one of the
most memorable is Dallas Braden’s story. Here is a guy who lost his mother to
melanoma, and says he owes all his success to the sacrifices of his
grandmother. So, on the day that our nation honors mothers and mothers passed,
Braden walked out onto his mound
(those of you following the Braden/A-Rod story know what I mean) and pitched
for 27 straight outs.

After the teammate mob, after the hugs and hand-shakes from coaches and
managers, Braden found his grandmother by the stands and embraced her in a
tearful hug. I know Tom Hanks said there’s “no crying in baseball,” but, given
their story, I think we can give Braden and his grandmother a break.

In Texas Rangers news, Scott Feldman remembered that he is,
indeed, Scott Feldman, and has gone

And, Derek Holland has received the call-up from AAA
Oklahoma City and will start his first game in Arlington on Wednesday against
the Oakland A’s.