Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/25/2025

The annual "Best Day in Motorsports" did not disappoint as the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend featured the Monaco Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500, and Coca Cola 600 across the Formula 1, IndyCar, and NASCAR series respectively.  The Indianapolis 500 features storylines including a rookie pole sitter, a driver attempting for a rare three-peat, and the best driver on the circuit looking for his first iconic win in the premier race of his sport.  The latter happened.  Alex Palou from Chip Ganassi Racing kept a consistent presence near the front, as others faded by the wayside.  The three-time IndyCar champ pulled out all the stops in passing, then holding off Marcus Ericsson.  Brilliant use of pit strategy and economic fuel management put Palou in position to pass Ericsson with 15 laps left and with a faster machine, drive on to Victory and the brick kissing and milk that goes with it.  Palou becomes the first Spaniard to win the Indianapolis 500 and puts a major stamp on his career which is still on the younger side of 30.  Alex Palou is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/18/2025

Both the NBA and Stanley Cup Playoffs are rounding into semifinal form. On the NHL side, there is one team left to represent Canada.  The Edmonton Oilers.  A big reason they look poised to capture the cup is their goalie, Stuart Skinner.  This week, Skinner shut down the Las Vegas Golden Knights with two shutouts.  Game, set, match.  27 shots, 27 saves and two wins including a 1-0 overtime.  You can't win if you can't score and Skinner showed that.  The native of Edmonton could be one of the greatest heroes of local yore. Just eight more wins. One octopus.  But for now, the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/11/2025

The NBA Playoffs first round was somewhat predictable, but the second round has been pure chaos of upsets.  The Minnesota Timberwolves got a tough draw with the 3x World Champion Golden State Warriors having disposed of the second seed Houston Rockets and out for more blood.  But our Sportsman of the Week has taken control.  Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is exerting his teams will and looks to point the Wolves to the Conference Finals.  After stumbling in Game 1, Edwards helped Minnesota recover, Stephan Curry injury withstanding, push his team to a 2-1 lead after 3 with home court in hand.  Edwards 36 points in Game 3 in a close win, to go with an average of 27 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds.  And team leadership.  The Timberwolves seem to be poised to win their first title and if they do, it will be because of Anthony Edwards, the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/4/2025

It is high arena playoff season, that being the NBA and NHL (a.k.a. Stanley Cup) Playoffs.  Up to four games a night for each league over the last couple of weeks has been a buffet of fan excitement.  But the ultimate climax is Game 7.  Especially a Game 7, and especially with a comeback win.  And an individual single handedly doing it.  The Dallas Stars Mikko Rantanen took a dire situation down 2-0 to score three goals in the last 13 minutes to send his team to the Second Round.  It wasn't just scoring, the former Avalanche star was lighting up the scoreboard in Games 5, 6, and 7 with six assists to go with five goals as the Stars recovered from a 3-2 deficit to win the series. The Stars move on, and Rantanen is a worthy Sportsman of the Week!