Dallas Braden versus Alex Rodriguez. The big, bad, mega-million superstar who plays for the NY Yankees against the scruffy, relatively unknown pitcher for a team, (A's) the polar opposite of the Gotham kings.
Braden was perfect Sunday pitching a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays. 27 up, 27 down.
Up until today, most people only knew Braden for his well-publicized "get off of my mound" feud with the NY primma donna, Rodriguez.
It died down until Braden somewhat curiously brought it up again last week. Rodriguez responded by mocking the lefty and his "15 minutes."
Braden, as if on cue from the baseball heavens, delivered his perfect virtuoso and managed to derail Rodriguez' belittling.
Braden is an articulate kid with a heavy heart, whose mother died of cancer when he was in high-school. His mound mantra against "A-Rod" was spoken from the heart from an "old-school" student of the game. He was born in the "209" area code, the gruff and less-than middle-income area of Stockton, CA.
Stockton is happy, as is Oakland and for once, a real "take that!" moment occurred at the Coliseum on a historic 2010 Mother's day.
I'm sure Braden's mom is smiling down on her son's historical contribution.
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