PROGRAMMING NOTE: NBC Sports California is looking back at the A's 50 Memorable Moments since the franchise relocated to Oakland in 1968. Below are the next two moments you can vote on. Tune into A's Pregame Live tonight at 6:30pm to watch highlights of the two moments. After the A's and Astros conclude, tune into A's Postgame Live to see which moment will move on to the next round!
1. Dallas Braden's Perfect Game on Mother's Day 2010 (Nine-time winner -- Defeated Bob Welch's 27-win 1990 season)
(From Dallas Braden)
Well, they haven't taken it away yet so I guess it might not be a dream after all. It's still insane to think that on such a special day for so many people, my teammates and I were able to etch ourselves into the hearts of A's fans everywhere.
In the moment, I had no clue. At the same time, I was fully aware. Completely focused and emotionally distracted at the same time. Hell, I talked myself into the wrong count in the last at-bat of the game. The 27th out. In that moment I had no clue. No clue I'd become the vehicle for such an emotional moment shared between mothers and their families across baseball that special day. I do believe that's what I was -- merely a vehicle to connect people through our beautiful game. My mom, along with the baseball gods, and Landon Powell, I guess, all steered us down the path of history and to be able to share and relive those special moments and memories is a blessing a young little leaguer can only dream of.
I hope that through my passion for the game you feel the same love I, myself, my wife, baby girl, and grandmother have felt from each of you, the fans of the Green & Gold. We couldn't be happier to share this Mother's Day and every Mother's Day from here on out, TOGETHER! It's a perfect fit if you ask me.
VS.
2. Yoenis Cespedes' incredible on-the-fly throw to nail Howie Kendrick at home in 2014
(From Ben Ross)
Sports
It's truly the greatest throw you'll ever see by an outfielder. On June 10, 2014, the world learned that Yoenis Cespedes has a cannon where his right arm should be.
With the A's and Angels tied 1-1 in the eighth inning, Mike Trout ripped a base hit to left field. The ball briefly bounced away from Cespedes, and Howie Kendrick decided to try to score from first base. That would be a huge mistake.
Cespedes fired the ball more than 300 feet in the air with pinpoint accuracy to catcher Derek Norris, who tagged Kendrick out at the plate. Cespedes led Major League Baseball with 16 outfield assists that season and has 67 in his seven-year MLB career.
VOTE HERE:
Which #Athletics 50th Anniversary moment was more memorable?
The winning moment will move on to the next matchup.— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) June 12, 2018
