Dallas Braden has been in the news lately and not for the right reasons, but yesterday the left-hander made the news for the best reasons cementing his place in the baseball history books.
Braden became just the 19th player in major league history to throw a perfect game, leading the Oakland Athletics to a 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
“I don't know what to think about it just yet. There's definitely a select group. I'd like to have a career more than today," Braden said.
The last team to have a perfect game thrown against them? Tampa Bay last year against the Chicago White Sox. The Rays have now been no-hit three times in franchise history, the first was Derek Lowe for the Boston Red Sox in 2002.
"I'm a bad omen. That's the third perfect game and fourth no-hitter I've been on the wrong side of.
"When Kenny Rogers threw his I was the bullpen coach. If you want to see another one, just follow me around,” Tampa manager Joe Maddon said.
And the feud between Alex Rodriguez and Braden which had dominated the headlines for the last week was forgotten, with even Rodriguez himself congratulating the lefty.
"I've learned in my career that it's always better to be remembered for some of the good things you do on the field and good for him. He threw a perfect game. And, even better, he beat the Rays,” Rodriguez said before facing the Red Sox.
Braden’s feat must be even more special considering the fact he did it on Mother’s Day. When he was in high school, his mother died of melanoma and last year on Mother’s Day Braden was hit by a line drive from Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells.
But, with his grandmother watching from the stands, the 26-year-old put in a performance for the ages.
“It hasn't been a joyous day for me in a while," Braden said. "With my grandma in the stands, it makes it a lot better."
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