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 6pm to watch highlights of the two moments. After the A's and Rays 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 (Five-time winner -- Defeated Khris Davis' three-homer game including the walk-off grand slam against Rangers)
(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. Jason Kendall scores game-winning run on errant throw back to pitcher in 2005
(From Ben Ross)
Sports
To this day, it's one of the strangest walk-off wins you'll ever see. With the A's and Angels tied 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth on August 11, 2005, Oakland put runners on second and third with two outs for Eric Chavez.
After a close pitch was ruled a ball, Angels catcher Jose Molina threw the ball back to the mound, but closer Francisco Rodriguez failed to make the catch. The ball bounced away and Jason Kendall alertly took off from third base toward the plate, sliding home safely with the winning run, and sending the Coliseum crowd into a frenzy.
The victory moved the A's into sole possession of first place in the AL West and clinched their ninth consecutive series win. Oakland would finish the season in second place at 88-74.
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) May 29, 2018
