No words are more true than the saying, “no one will ever love you like your mom”. In honor of the woman who gives us their all, we here at Amazing Grace Sports Network would like to dedicate this article to all the amazing mothers around the world, and since we are a sports website, we will be looking at the greatest Mother’s day moments in sports.
Perfect Game for Dallas Braden
In 2010, Dallas Braden was a little-known starting pitcher who had bounced around the minors for most of his career but was now starting games for the ball club that drafted him, the Oakland Athletics. His rise to the major leagues wasn’t easy, especially considering the fact that he had lost his mother to a battle with cancer in High School. From the greatest loss a boy could ever feel, to the various ups and downs associated with minor league baseball, Braden beat the odds and was now a proud Major League Baseball pitcher.
Everything would come full circle for Braden on May 9th, 2010; Mother’s Day. After his mom had passed, Braden was primarily raised by his grandmother. That fateful day he would invite his grandmother to the game, and he would end up having the day of his life. That day Dallas Braden would end up throwing only the 19th ever perfect game in the MLB’s history. Not even a Hollywood scriptwriter could think up such a scenario; his mother dies while he’s in high school, he then is raised by his grandmother, and now he throws a perfect game on Mother’s Day. Quite the story, and an even bigger accomplishment for Braden.
Matthew Barnaby Hat Trick
Matthew Barnaby made a name for himself in the NHL as a gritty enforcer who racked up more penalty minutes than entire teams did through the season. So when he exploded for a hat-trick in a playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens, with his mother in attendance, on Mothers Day, you knew it was a special moment in hockey history.
Not known for scoring at all, Barnaby had registered just five total goals that regular season and had never scored more than two goals in a single game. On Mother’s Day of 1998 however, all that would change. With his mother in attendance, Barnaby would light up the Canadiens with three goals, propelling his team to a 6-3 win, and a 2-0 series lead. Once he scored the hat-trick goal, he pointed to his mom in the stands. What a perfect way to tell Mom you love her!
Jamal Mashburn Drops 31
Having grown up in The Bronx, New York, Jamal Mashburn learned the game of basketball at the mecca; Rucker Park. It was at Rucker’s where he would refine and polish his game, to a point where he’d be able to retire from the NBA years later having averaged 19.1 points per game. Often being the team’s either top or second scoring option, Mashburn was known for getting buckets and had several amazing games. His most outstanding game, however, would come on Mother’s Day in 2001.
That year Mashburn and the Charlotte Hornets found themselves in a tight playoff series with the Milwaukee Bucks, one where the Bucks were leading 2 games to 1. With his mother sitting courtside, Mashburn knew how special this game was, especially since she had been battling colon cancer all season. Mashburn would drop 31 points, leading his team to an 85-78 victory. Although Mashburn and the Hornets would end up dropping the series, he would win something even greater a year later; news that his mother was now cancer-free!
St. Louis Looks to the Sky
Martin St.Louis is a living NHL legend. His career stat-line reads like something out of a comic book; 642 assists, 1,033 points, and 391 goals, as well as 42 goals in the playoffs. The most important playoff goal he’d score, however, would come on Mother’s Day in 2014. Having lost his mom a couple days prior, the Rangers we’re unsure whether St.Louis would suit up for their pivotal playoff game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Lo and behold he would suit up, and with a heavy heart, St.Louis would score the first goal of the game on Mother’s Day in front of a packed MSG crowd. After tha goal you could clearly see St.Louis look up to the sky, in recognition that his mom partly had a hand in the goal. What a warm, touching moment.
Even if you aren’t a sports fan, these moments could make you shed some tears; I know I did. As we conclude the article, I’d like to wish all the mothers out there a special mothers day. Remember, everyday is mothers day, and you don’t get nearly the recognition you deserve for all you do. And now, to my angel, my mother, thank you for everything you have done for me, everything you continue to do, and for all the unconditional love and support you show me. As Kevin Durant once said, “Ma, you the real MVP”. I love you Ma!