Fourteen years ago, almost to the day, we saw the most epic Mother’s Day baseball performance in MLB history. Dallas Braden pitched the sport’s 19th perfect game while on the bump for the Oakland Athletics against the Tampa Bay Rays. Dallas Braden’s Mother’s Day perfect game on May 9, 2010, was not only an electric performance, but it was also straight out of a storybook.
May 9, 2010: On Mother’s Day, Dallas Braden throws the 19th Perfect Game in MLB history.
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Remembering Dallas Braden’s Mother’s Day Perfect Game
The Passing of Braden’s Mother
When Braden was in high school, his single mother was diagnosed with cancer. She eventually passed away during his senior year, at which point Braden’s grandmother would take over motherly duties.
“I lost my best friend when I lost my mother. It’s hard when we play [on Mother’s Day] to devote the time thinking about her that she deserves.”
“She uprooted where we lived just so that I could play in a better Little League,” Dallas said. “She was the kind of person who would give the shirt off her back if it meant improving your situation. If it meant taking something of her own, even though she didn’t have a lot, she would give to others.”
Backstory
Braden was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 46th round of the 2001 draft, but he declined to sign and went on to play college baseball for Texas Tech. Oakland then drafted Braden in the 24th round in 2004.
Coming into the 2010 season, Dallas Braden was known as a mediocre major league pitcher. He was the 2009 Opening Day starter for the Oakland A’s, but compiled an 8-9 record for the season while pitching 136 innings. Braden was not overpowering with 81 strikeouts in 2009, but he limited damage, finishing with a 3.89 ERA. Braden was serviceable at best but was well-liked by the Oakland fanbase.
“He had a really outgoing personality, and I think the fact he was from the area, he had a great story — he could have gone off the right track into the dark side — there was a great personal story there of perseverance,” A’s radio broadcaster Ken Korach said. “Not only the injuries, but going through tough times in life. He had a lot of brashness to him as well. He stood out for the right reasons.”
Games Leading Up to the Perfect Game
In April of 2010, Dallas Braden was beginning to find his stride. He compiled a 3-1 record in five starts. Braden also posted what would be his career high in single-game strikeouts, sitting down 10 Seattle Mariners on April 6th, 2010. April 22, 2010 was the infamous A-Rod game where Dallas Braden and Alex Rodriguez got into an argument over Rodriguez stepping on the pitcher’s mound. Just prior to the perfect game, this is what most MLB fans knew Dallas Braden for.
Mother’s Day
May 9th, 2010 was Mother’s Day. A day that Dallas Braden resented. As the legend goes, Braden was hung over due to drinking the night before to cope with the loss of his mother. Despite his blood alcohol concentration, once Braden stepped on the mound he locked in. Jason Bartlett led the game off with a line drive down the third base line. Third basemen, Kevin Kouzmanoff would make a leaping stab, saving Braden from giving up a leadoff double.
Braden cruised into the ninth inning, never appearing to be in any sort of jam. Despite a bunt attempt by Evan Longoria and a number of hard-hit balls, no real defensive saves were needed again. Gabe Kapler worked the count to 3-1 in the ninth, but would ultimately end up grounding out to shortstop to complete the perfect game.
After all was said and done, Braden struck out six Rays with 107 pitches. It only took two hours and seven minutes to complete the perfect game. Impressively, Braden also never registered a pitch over 90 mph.
The 19th perfect game in MLB history was owned by Dallas Braden. The guy who was hung over because he missed his mother; his best friend. He was now cemented in baseball almanacs with the likes of Cy Young, Sandy Koufax, and Randy Johnson. This would be the pinnacle of what was an otherwise short-lived, average career riddled by injuries.
A Grandmother’s Embrace
After the game was over Braden was enveloped by his team. Just like any other baseball player accomplishing a historical feat, Braden was given hugs, handshakes, and “good games.” During the insanity after the last out Braden started pointing to a seat in the stands. He then made his way toward the Oakland dugout on the third-base side. An elderly woman standing a head shorter than Braden and wearing an Athletics hat was allowed on the field and embraced Braden in a loving hug. The type of hug only a mother could give a son. Braden’s grandmother would share an embrace and tears with him while remembering Braden’s mother, Jodie Atwood.
Photo Credit: © CLIFFORD OTO/THE STOCKTON RECORD / USA TODAY NETWORK
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