Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/28/2024

What a week for sports as the 2024 Olympic Games heat up, but one more cry for America's Pastime this week as a rare complete game no hitter goes.  San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease dominated the Washington Nationals for his first career no hitter and only the second for the Padres in franchise history (the first also Sportsman of the Week).  While Cease walked three, through the 114-pitch effort with 71 strikes.  With a double play and a caught stealing only faced one more than the minimum.  Cease was a trade acquisition in the offseason being in a contract year the White Sox wanted something in return.  The Padres could be a post-season spoiler in the National League and if so, Cease will be a tough two-game matchup for opponents.  And is a worthy Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/21/2024

Le Tour de France concluded this week with a dominant victory by a two-time, now three-time General Classification (e.g. Yellow Jersey) Champion.  But our Blog noted another amazing performance in the Points Classification (e.g. Green Jersey).  Biniam Girmay made his initial statement that he was the Sprinter to beat in the Third Stage of the 2024 Tour de France and never looked back.  With bursts of speed that clearly eclipsed major rival Jasper Philipsen in many an intermediate and stage win, Girmay surprised by winning his first Points Championship.  The Eritrean shocked the world with that Stage 3 win, then went on to win two more stages, all are the first and only for an African Cyclist in Le Tour.  In addition to flat our speed, strategy frequently helped hold off his Belgian rival by a mere 33 points, very close for the Points.  Staying in breakaways or at least close enough to Philipsen to nullify any intermediate point awards.  Then staying safe down the stretch (he did crash once) to either win or come close to winning.  Girmay at age 24 is likely to be a story for years, but for this week, is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/14/2024

An amazing week of international sports culminated with the Copa America Final of Argentina versus Colombia and an epic matchup of superstars of Lionel Messi and James Rodriguez (both former Sportsmen of the Week).  But it was another budding superstar, Argentinian Lautaro Martinez, who stole the glory.  In the 112' of Extra Time, when penalty kicks seemed to be a certainty, Lautaro took it upon himself to decide the practical Golden Goal.  After Colombia stumbled for an entire sequence to get a good set together, Giovani Lo Celso struck a perfect pass to Martinez who beat the Colombian keeper Camilo Vargas hands were too late.  Martinez had five goals in the tournament to lead as well.  As Messi fades into the sunset, Martinez is likely the heir apparent to keep Argentina in the top.  And is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/7/2024

The first week of the Tour de France produced early fireworks from General Classification (e.g. G.C.) contenders on the first few rough, long, hot stages as well as thrilling springs as those going for the Points (Green) Jersey had chances to stack up points and win stages going into the week.  One of the major storylines entering the 2024 Tour de France was whether or not Mark Cavendish would win a record breaking 35th Stage to become the all-time leader.  In short.  He did it.  The 39-year-old riding in his 15th Tour surged ahead of other top sprinters to win the fifth stage of the 2024 Tour in Saint-Vulbas, France. In his prime, many of the flattest stages were practically a foregone conclusion, as Cavendish had a lead out train designed the throw him to the front with ease.  But in later years, as father time caught up with him, it's become more on him and more by chance.  After preliminarily announcing his retirement after the 2023 tour, he decided to give it one more chance and the Team Astana Qazaqstan gave him the shot.  They'll never be disappointed as history will show Cavendish getting the tie-breaking win from Eddy Merckx in their colours.  An amazing career and feat, for the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 6/30/2024

On this Blog golf has always had a special place because it sets individuals up for unique success that's harder on a team sport.  Even better when you can find accomplishment in a unique place like the United States Senior Open.  And holes in one.  Two of them.  In a row.  Completely unfathomable.  But Frank Bensel Jr. did it.  The 56-year-old holed the 184 par three fourth, then 203 par three fifth.  In two shots.  That's like mini golf style (except I could not even do that).  He was not in contention for the championship but still.  It's 6-million-to-one two aces in a round.  Of course having two Par 3's in a row isn't normal but to ace them is just as rare.  And they guy is a Club Pro, not like Steve Stricker or Vijay Singh, who has played in fewer than ten tournaments.  All the elements of what we love about being the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!