Sportsman of the Week Ending 10/4/2026

The calendar turns to October and in America sports that is synonymous with Major League Baseball Playoffs.  In the current format, that means three straight days of Wild Card action.  The only series to go to three games was a heavyweight National League East matchup between the Division Champion Atlanta Braves and the 2022 National League Pennant winning Philadelphia Phillies.  The series did not disappoint.  Three games down to the wire and a hero was the Braves Michael Harris II.  Not the first name you think of when thinking of the current Braves, but he is an offensive machine.  He went 3-3 and scored 2 of the 5 Braves runs in a 5-3 Game 1 win.  He hit a crucial 3-run home run in Game 3 to put the Braves ahead for good in a gutsy win to secure the series.  He then followed that up in Los Angeles in the NL Division Series Game 2 going 3-5 with a double and triple, knocking one run in and scoring himself in a huge 3-2 road win.  The center of the Braves 3 victories in 5 games as they head home hoping to upset the heavily favored Dodgers.  The fans will be chanting his name, and he will surely respond.  Michael Harris II is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 9/27/2026

In what has been, despite its off-field challenges, one of the most interesting starts to the college football season, conference play has begun and heavyweight matchups with ranked teams are commencing.  The SEC had four games between ranked teams, and none were bigger than number 4 Ole Miss going into The Swamp to face number 21 Florida.  The game did not disappoint.  80 points later, the Gators offense proved unstoppable as they scored 35 second half points, with a TD on all five possessions that didn't end the game.  Led by emerging running back Jadan Baugh.  Baugh toted the rock 29 times for 142 yards and three touchdowns.  And tough runs, longest was 23 yards as he continued to wear down the Rebels defense in a dominating Gators win 52-28.  The Florida Gators are 4-0 and dare we say back?  If they want to make a run at another SEC title, they'll need Jadan Baugh to lead them as he did this week, as the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 9/20/2026

Another weekend of college football upsets and one of the more surprising ones were the West Virginia Mountaineers upending the ranked Virginia Cavaliers.  In the era of transfers, a blue blood team castaway played hero.  Michael Hawkins Jr., former Oklahoma quarterback, accounted for all five touchdowns for the Mountaineers in a neutral site game.  Hawkins didn't light the stadium up with his arm, but was efficient with 19 yards per completion and two TDs and no interceptions.  But his legs were the rest of the story for another 123 yards and three touchdowns.  The result was a 35-27 win for a once proud program trying to resurge. West Virginia may be a player in the wide open Big 12, and if so, it may be because of Hawkins Jr., the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 9/13/2026

Week two of the College Football season started to feature some bigger matchups than woodshed week 1, but this wasn't supposed to be one.  The number six Oregon Ducks went down to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to face Oklahoma State as over 3 touchdown favorites.  Oklahoma State hasn't beaten a Football Bowl Subdivision team in 21 games.  They fired their long tenured coach last year.  New season, new Cowboys.  Enter QB phenom Drew Mestemaker.  The North Texas transfer did it all, outperforming who some think should be the overall number one if not first quarterback in the 2027 NFL draft in Dante Moore.  Mestemaker threw for 317 yards with two touchdowns, while running for 109 yards on six runs for another TD.  The TD was spectacular and go-ahead TD head over heels to beat the Top 10 Ducks. Oklahoma State was coming off a frustrating loss to Tulsa in week one but may suddenly be rounding into Big 12 form.  Can they make a run at the conference championship?  Drew Mestemaker will be a factor, the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 9/6/2026

A thrilling opening week of college football in 2026 unfolded with not at whole lot of marquee matchups but an SEC/ACC thriller filled TV sets on Sunday night and was worth the exclusive timeslot.  Top ten, National Semifinal participant Ole Miss took on number 24 Louisville in the only Top 25 matchup of the weekend.  While there were other interesting scares (looking at you Oregon and Michigan), the Ole Miss and Louisville game fitted the bill.  The neutral site game in Nashville (actually a good geographical compromise) lit up on offense.  Both teams notched over 450 yards, 300 yard through the air, and scored what was the same final score of the classic 2006 Rose Bowl where Texas beat USC.  41-38.  In this game, it was a last second field goal after Louisville stormed back in the last 5 minutes with two touchdowns to tie.  But Ole Miss won and while the end was somewhat anticlimactic, it was a wide receiver that was the man of the match.  Ole Miss Deuce Alexander hauled in 5 passes for 159 yards and two TDs, both 62 yards in the first half.  Big players in big games, he wears number one and was the star player in Week 1 and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 8/30/2026

College Football started in earnest with what many call "Week Zero".  And there was much rejoicing.  There will be meaningful football on for the next I don't care to count how many weeks just rest assured the 2027 Valentine's Day and Daytona 500 will be around that time. While the first weekend offered not so much in terms of national matchups, one upset resonates true from the Football Championship Subdivision.  William and Mary were unranked and near two touchdown underdogs going into Philadelphia to face the usual basketball powers but Top 10 rated Wildcats of Villanova.  Unflinched.  Led by their nerves of steel quarterback Winston Watkins, the Tribe from Williamsburg went toe to toe with Villanova until finding themselves 10 points down with under 3 minutes left.  Their fate seemed sealed until Watkins got his act together and led a 52 yard FG drive, then after an onside kick, 3 play, 39 yard drivc for the tying touchdown.  An interception and FG later, the Wildcats had been had giving up 13 points in the last two plus minutes.  Overall, Winston Watkins was the man of the match, going for 254 yards and 2 TDs in the air, and 72 yards and another TD on the ground.  The steady hand wins and upsets are fun.  Winston Watkins is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsgirl of the Week Ending 8/23/2026

We've had 67 Sportswomen of the Week, but never a Sportsgirl of the Week.  There's a first time for everything.  The Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania (may it never move) has seen 25 girls compete at the top of the game, and outside of Monae Davis, Kinley Rasmus has been the most elite.  The young hurler and slugger has taken Williamsport by storm.  To get them there, she threw a complete game shutout to take Phenix City, AL, to Little League Title town.  She followed that up with a one hitter (through six innings) in her team's LLWS opener, only losing due to pitch limits and a relief pitcher who could not follow up.  No worries, after surviving an elimination game, the phenom was brought on again to shut down West Chester, PA, including escaping extra innings with a dazzling play on a bunt and shut down inning.  Oh, she also hits.  She was 2-2 with a triple in their elimination game (which she could not pitch) and has tied a record for hits by a girl and strikeouts in a game by a girl.  She's fun to watch.  She wears a Bow.  Signs about are "Fear the Bow" and "Girl Power".  Deserved.  Kinley Rasmus is the Longhorndave Sportsgirl of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 8/16/2026

The greatest debut in the history of Major League Baseball happened at Wrigley Field on a Saturday.  St. Louis Cardinals next phenom Joshua Baez hit a home run on the first pitch he saw in the big leagues against 2025 All Star and 10-year Chicago Cubs Veteran Matthew Boyd.  But it didn't stop there.  Wearing the classic powder blue uniforms, Baez squared up Boyd again in the fourth inning.  And then the sixth.  Three home runs in his first three MLB at bats.  The hulking 23-year-old born in Boston but with parents from the Dominican Republic has surged this year after a noteworthy youth prospect career and second round selection by the cardinals.  Checks notes, that's pretty good.  Comps to Albert Pujols are coming too soon but fun.  Is this the savior to take the Cardinals to the playoffs for the first time since 2022?  They're on the cusp this year but if they fall short, they are looking better for the second half of the decade.  Joshua Baez is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportswoman of the Week Ending 8/9/2026

The "in-between" summer sports season (post basketball/hockey, pre football) continues, and the WNBA is capitalizing with headline after headline.  Some not so good.  But some good.  This is a blog celebrating sports, so let's look at a WNBA record set for three pointers in a game.  Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride broke the WNBA single-game record with ten (10) 3-pointers in a win vs. the Dallas Wings.  Overall 43 points in an eye popping 16-21 field goal effort.  The 5'11" Guard has had a working-woman's career now in her 13th season at age 34.  A decent scorer, good for 15 PPG scorer is enjoying a late career boom up at 18.4 PPG, good for 10th in the WNBA in scoring (no player higher than her is older) and 9th in 3PT FG% (42.4%).  For pop culture reference, Caitlin Clark is at a pedestrian 35.5% 3PT FG%.  The WNBA needs to celebrate those who are setting records and Kayla McBride is that player.  the Longhorndave Sportswoman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 8/2/2026

As we hit the dog days of summer, baseball enters the home stretch for playoff pushes.  And no team has made a bigger push than the Boston Red Sox.  Given up for dead, fired their coach, but now they are storming up the American League East standings and look poised for a playoff run.  No player has been more in the center of it than Ceddanne Rafaela.  The centerfielder at the top of the lineup has been a spark plug since the All-Star Break and especially this week.  Rafaela torched the Los Angeles Dodgers and Athletics for a Ted Williams like .419 average while clubbing 5 HR, 2 2B, 11 RBI and scoring 7 times for the week.  The Red Sox went 6-1.  Since the All-Star break, the Sox have gone 14-3 sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays (best team in the AL), Los Angeles Dodgers (best team in the NL), and, just before the break, swept the Chicago White Sox (first in AL Central) and New York Yankees (second best AL team).  The native of Curacao is mimicking his best recent Hall of Fame inductee and countryman Andruw Jones in his star play, and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/26/2026

The late summer sports season is upon us, and while all four golf majors have been finished for the year, that doesn't mean the season is over.  And a surprise winner emerged on the PGA Tour in only his third professional start.  At the age of 21.  Jackson Koivun held off the best player in the world in Scottie Sheffler to win the 3M Open at Twin Cities TPC in a record 25 strokes under par.  The Auburn golfer didn't flinch as Scheffler charged showing nerves that will serve him well in his burgeoning pro career.  His win by three strokes took away drama at the end, but he earned it with his steady play over the four days.  Earning a smooth $1.5M in the process.  Is this the first of many PGA Tour wins?  Inevitable.  Will he be the next star on the Tour?  Stay tuned.  But for now, Jackson Koivun is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/19/2026

Two weeks in a row of World Cup greatness and two weeks in a row of Spanish greatness.  The backdrop for the World Cup Final was perfect.  A Spanish team that was stingy on defense allowing one goal leading into the Final.  And an Argentina defending World Cup Champion team that has been completely resilient scoring late when they needed to in order to beat all the big boys.  The result was an action-packed scoreless tie.  Until in extra time, a new hero emerged.  In the opening minutes of the second half of extra time, Ferran Torres finally broke through.  Argentina goalie Emiliano Martínez set a World Cup final record with 11 saves, but it wasn't enough.  Torres struck a great center with no chance for Martinez for what ended up being the deciding goal in a 1-0 victory.  Torres came on in the 62nd minute with fresh legs and made history for Spain.  Their second World Cup final and second World Cup in history.  Ferran Torres is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/12/2026

Another amazing week of the World Cup as the field winnowed down to four teams.  The four teams aren't necessarily a surprise, but one of the heroes is.  Spain midfielder Mikel Merino has been the death knell for two teams this week.  Coming off the bench in a tie game, he's scored the eventual winning goal twice.  In the final moments.  After subbing in the 85th minute, Merino broke open a scoreless tie in the first minute of injury time (90+1) to score the only goal in a 1-0 goal against Cristiano Ronaldo and rival Portugal.  Then he doubled the achievement in even less time, subbing in the 86th minute, and dealing a 1-1 tiebreaker against Belgium for Spain to advance to the Semifinals in the 88th minute.  In about the 80th minute, watch for Merino to step in and see if he has the same luck against Spain.  Our Sportsman of the Week cannot be doubted!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/5/2026

Another week of exciting World Cup action as the knockout round begins to take shape.  A strong team that has not made a run this deep in recent, and even not-so-recent memory is Norway.  Placed in a bracket with Cup champion favorites France, Norway battled their way to a second place Group finish, poised to run at the Cup starting with Ivory Coast.  Ivory Coast battled to a tie in the waning moments before Norwegian soccer god Erling Haaland scored the deciding goal in the 86th minute to send Norway to their first knockout round victory in the history of the squad.  Then facing Brazil, the formidable foe who won the last World Cup held in North America, Haaland got even better.  Tied the game in the 79th minute, Haaland struck twice in eleven minutes to put Norway up 2-0, ultimately resulting in a 2-1 win sending Brazil home early.  Norway is through to the round of eight, and Erling Haaland has etched his name in the pantheon of great Norwegian athletes.  He is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportswoman of the Week Ending 6/28/2026

Crazy time for sports indeed.  Certainly, one of the most passionate among fans is the WNBA, the single basketball league going during the summer months.  And a surprise star has emerged.  Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo scorched the Los Angeles Sparks for an WNBA single game record 53 points in 32 minutes.  Mabrey gathered points from all spots on the court, 17-28 from the field, including 9-18 from beyond the arc.  Which leaves 8-10 from inside.  Also 10-12 FG with six boards and a couple of assists in a dominant 125-97 Tempo victory.  She's not the first name you think of from what the media is feeding you about the WNBA, but the 6'1", 29-year-old is a star and her star is shining.  Marina Mabrey is third in the league in scoring and is the Longhorndave Sportswoman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 6/21/2026

The World Cup has taken the entire planet by storm, and especially in North America where they are hosting it for the first time in 32 years.  A South American player is etching his name amongst all greatest soccer legends not to exclude his fellow continental star Pele.  Lionel Messi is the all-time leader in World Cup Goals.  Period.  Messi scored a hat trick, the only in the 2026 World Cup so far, in easing to a victory in Argentina's opening match.  Then followed up with two more goals against Austria.  The 38-year-old gets better with age.  And has a World Cup title for his proud nation defending this year.  Will he repeat?  No reason to doubt him.  Lionel Messi is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

This is Messi's third Sportsman of the Week becoming the 20th athlete to do so.  

December 2022

March 2012

Sportsman of the Week Ending 6/14/2026

Both the NBA and NHL finished amazing and dramatic Finals.  While neither went the full seven games, each game within was dramatic to say the least.  One of the most exciting games in Stanley Cup Finals history was Game 3, where the Las Vegas Golden Knights seemingly were putting a beat down of the Carolina Hurricanes both in the game, and maybe in the series, as they scored 4 second period goals to take a commanding 4-0 lead, looking to go up 2 games to 1.  This after torching the Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen for 5 goals in Game 1.  Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'amour had seen enough.  He pulled his goalie for a journeyman first-year player who had never played in the playoffs, let alone in the Stanley Cup Finals.  Brandon Bussi put up 45 straight minutes of scoreless hockey as the Canes came roaring back to force double overtime.  It was into second overtime before his Canes fell.  They would not fall again.  Bussi ran off three straight wins, the Cup winner a shutout of the high-flying offensive Knights in Game 6.  Bussi came from nothing to win it all.  And is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportspersons of the Week Ending 6/7/2026

This Blog has seen dueling winners for Sportsman of the Week, but never a Sportsman AND Sportswoman of the Week in the same week.  Until now.  Mirra Andreeva and Alexander Zverev both surged through fields to win their first Grand Slam tournament at Rolland Garros, the French Open.  In Andreeva's case, it may be the sign of the next superstar of ladies' tennis.  She's 19 and this was her first Grand Slam Final.  The Russian teen cruised to victory over qualifier Maja Chwalinska, who shocked the whole tournament just by getting this far.  In fact, Chwalinska earned more money at the 2026 French Open than she had in her pro career to date starting in 2019 before the COVID disruption.  Meanwhile the talented German Zverev hasn't been able to break through the best players in any tournament, being denied titles in Grand Slams in 2020, 2024, and 2025. But at the French Open, he surged past Flavio Cobolli in a five-set thriller for his title.  2026 was the year for this pair, winning their first Grand Slams and, especially in Andreeva's case, one of more to come.  Congrats to Mirra Andreeva and Alexander Zverev, the Longhorndave Sportspersons of the week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/31/2026

There's a new star pitcher emerging in baseball and his name isn't Paul Skenes.  It's Jacob Misiorowski.  Okay, they're both stars, but Misiorowski continues to emerge as the superstar he seems destined to become.  The tall, lanky right hander had two amazing games this week and seems as if he's just getting started.  The 24-year-old shut down both the Cardinals (5-1) and Astros (2-0) as the Brewers once again seem poised for another, quiet, division title.  If they make the playoffs, this time they'll have an ace that can nail down two games for them.  Over the week, Misiorowski had 14 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 20 K.  His ERA is entering Bob Gibson level at 1.65.  Will the Brewers finally make and win a World Series?  If so, the Miz will need to lead, he is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/24/2026

Memorial Day weekend remains synonymous with the Indianapolis 500 and the 110th edition delivered.  Featuring the most lead changes and closest finish in the century plus history, it had it all.  Including a surprise winner.  Felix Rosenqvist was assumed by none to be drinking milk and kissing the bricks.  He had all of one previous win on the Indy Car Circuit.  He started second row behind favorites like defending series champion Alex Palou and Alexander Rossi.  Then he was trailing David Malukas who seemingly was cruising to victory on the last green flag lap.  But it was Rosenqvist who maneuvered his car to stay ahead of those behind and win by 0.02s, the closest finish ever.  Only his second win, the last coming during COVID which seems like a lifetime ago.  A great victory for a career racing man, the Swede is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/17/2026

An amazing weekend of sports action from the college level (softball and baseball), NBA Playoffs, NHL Playoffs, WNBA. EPL soccer, Preakness Stakes, and yes, the PGA Championship.  And for the golf major, we have a new winner.  The humble and grounded Aaron Rai surged through a crowded Sunday field that started Sunday with nine golfers within 3 shots of leader Alex Smalley.  But it was Rai who played flawless Sunday over the last ten holes.  Through the first eight holes he sputtered to a one over par before hitting an Eagle on the 9th that launched him to a six under par over those ten holes.  With a comfortable, but not yet insurmountable, lead he made the tournament academic with an amazing 68' birdie putt on the Par 3 17.  Tournament over.  While his rivals sputtered in the rough off the tee and off the green on the approach.  Rai was a machine.  The 31-year-old Englishman son of immigrants is now, a Major Champion.  And Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/10/2026

The late spring sports season continues with elite golf, horse racing, along with playoff basketball and hockey.  On the basketball side, the Oklahoma City Thunder seem poised for a back-to-back title.  Young and loaded.  While reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is consistent, it's been his big man so far to lead the Thunder to a 3-0 lead against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.  7'1" Chet Holmgren is an unstoppable force that the Lakers can't answer.  In the first three games of the Western Conference semifinals, Holgren has averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds, to go with 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals per game.  While shooting 60% from the field, 45% from 3-point land, and over 80% from the line.  Efficient.  Difference maker.  The Lakers can't finish a game within 15 points of the best team in the NBA.  Thanks to our Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/3/2026

Mid-spring is for horse racing, specifically the Triple Crown as the weather warms up and mid-latitude venues host the best 3-year-olds in the Sport of Kings.  And nothing captures the spirit more than the Kentucky Derby, run with a full entry as owners, trainers, and jockeys vie for greatness.  Sometimes a favorite wins.  And sometimes it's an underdog.  Horse, trainer, and jockey.  The 152nd running of the Run for the Roses was a wide-open field, and a long shot won coming from the back.  Eighteen horses made it to the post, and Golden Tempo won.  Golden Tempo started on the outside as the 19th draw and entered 18th at the stretch.  Jockey Jose Ortiz guided the colt to a thrilling and unexpected victory at 23-1 paying of handsomely to those with faith.  Ortiz has now won the personal Triple Crown, having won the Belmont Stakes (Tapwrit 2017) and Preakness Stakes (Early Voting 2022).  Winning the Personal Triple Crown, biggest horse race of the year, and doing it on a 23-1 longshot seems worthy of Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 4/26/2026

Late spring sports continue to peak, and a peak performance was delivered at the London Marathon.  In race conditions, the first human being in the history of running marathons finished under 2 hours.  A mark that was thought to be unobtainable has come to fruition.  And of course, done by a Kenyan, the elite runners on the planet.  29-year-old Sebastian Sawe torched the British Course 30 seconds under 2 hours, at 1:59:30.  To speak to the conditions, the second-place finisher, Yomif Kejelcha also finished under 2 hours.  Only 11 seconds too late to be the first, so settle for second place.  The pace is insane.  Every mile for 26.2 is 4:34.  A quarter mile in under 70s.  Sawe will be remembered like the four-minute mile and Roger Banister, perfect 10 for Nadia Comăneci, sub 10s 100m, and other major milestones and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 4/19/2026

Spring sports is peak, with summer sports starting (baseball, golf), winter sports entering playoffs (hockey, basketball), and college sports reaching end of academic year.  It's baseball we go to this week.  The Chicago Cubs loaded up for a pennant run in 2026 but stumbled out of the block going 7-9 but are now on a 5-game winning streak a lot due to our Sportsman of the Week.  Infielder Nico Hoerner poured it on this week leading the Cubs to a 5-1 record and a sweep of the Rival New York Mets and taking 2 of 3 from the Phillies.  On Sunday, he had the walk off Sac Fly RBI.  For the recent 5-game winning streak, Hoerner went 9-23, 2 HR, 11 RBI leading the team to 10+ runs 3 of the games.  The Cubs are going to contenders, and if they can get a career year from the 28-year-old Hoerner, maybe a deep playoff run.  Nico Hoerner is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 4/12/2026

Another year, another green jacket.  A generational talent did generational things on the biggest stage as Rory McIlroy surged ahead, fought tough stretches, surges by competitors, was behind, then ahead, then finished.  One stroke ahead of Scott Scheffler.  That's what champions do.  McIlroy becomes only the fourth golfer to win back-to-back Masters championships joining legends like Nicklaus, Woods, and Faldo.  And in today's game, it's just more difficult.  He was also either first or tied for first after each round.  Impressive.  It wasn't a perfect performance, but the best in the biggest tournament as McIlroy won his second green jacket in two years and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week for the third time!

Rory McIlroy Sportsman of the Week 2025

Rory McIlroy Sportsman of the Week 2014

Sportswoman of the Week Ending 4/5/2026

The NCAA tournament on the men's AND women's side have been amazing theater.  The big teams are winning when it counts, and UCLA has fit the bill on the women's side.  At 31-1 entering the tournament, the Bruins seemed to be about the fourth choice by betting favorites behind fellow number one seeds Connecticut, South Carolina, and Texas.  They made no match for two of three.  The Bruins played absolute clamp down defense and scored consistently to win by an average of 17 points, culminating in a 28 point beatdown of South Carolina in the Finals .  Led by our Sportswoman of the Week Lauren Betts.  In relative low scoring games, The 6'7" senior Betts scored 30 points in the Final Four, on efficient 13-20 from the field, perfect 4-4 from the line, 22 rebounds, 5 blocks, 5 assists, all of what it takes to win.  It was their first NCAA Championship for a program of proud sports tradition.  Betts and her team finished the season 37-1, and a worthy Longhorndave Sportswoman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 3/29/2026

The shot of the tournament.  Maybe the shot of the tournament in this century.  Heavyweight number one overall seed goes down on a miracle sequence.  This is why we love March Madness.  Connecticut and Duke went toe to toe in the East Regional Finals, two teams with a healthy number of NCAA Championship banners hanging from their rafters.  Despite what some say, NCAA tournament upsets are fun in the short term, but heavy weights going at it at the back end of the tournament is fun too.  Duke was comfortable leading by as many as 19 points as the top seed seemed to be in position to go to their third Final Four in six years.  They led 40-21 three quarters of the way through the first half.  Ten-point lead with 6 minutes left.  Four points and the ball with 90s left.  Two points and the ball with 10s left.  Then it all imploded.  The final sequence will never be forgotten.  Duke just needing to dribble it out throws a pass over a double team, tipped by Braylon Mullins.  Mullins recovers the ball, quick pass, pass back to Mullins, 35-footer.  Good!  It didn't even touch the rim.  Connecticut advances and Duke cries. May not have seen a final sequence like that since the Laettner win over Kentucky.  It's in March Madness Lore and Braylon Mullins is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 3/22/2026

March Madness is in full effect!  With fewer upsets than some wanted (I'm good with it, I want to see big boy heavyweight games downstream), one individual set an all-time NCAA record that is decades old.  Purdue guard Braden Smith hit 1077 career assists passing the sentimental Duke guard Bobby Hurley for most in NCAA history.  Hurley had the record for over 30 years.  One of only four players to have more than 1000 (Chris Corchiani and Ed Cota the other two).  He's an All-Big 10 first team selection for the third straight year.  Epitome of older school college basketball where your best players played through their eligibility and consistently go deep in the tournament.  Purdue is queued up for a Sweet 16 matchup against Texas, and should they play that they'll look for their second Final Four berth since 1980, the last of which was two years ago when they lost to Connecticut in the finals.  Experienced guard play is always key to deep tournament runs and Smith has that for Purdue.  He is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!  

Sportsman of the Week Ending 3/15/2026

An incredible sports week commenced with NCAA Basketball ramping up March Madness, and the World Baseball Classic entering knock out round, and NBA and NHL in the playoff push.  For the NBA, the most improbable, neigh impossible happened as Bam Adebayo reach the penultimate scoring game with 83 points in a regulation NBA game.  Yes, 83 points.  By math, that's 1.7 points per minute.  Rounds up to 2 points per minute he played.  Figuring each team gets a possession, maybe two per minute, incredible.  He got his shots, taking 43 and knocking down 20 in a high scoring win for his Miami Heat over the hapless Washington Wizards in a 150-129 win.  Seven of those made shots were from 3-point land for eh, a quarter of his points. But the main damage he did was from the free throw line getting 36 points in 43 attempts.  If you can't stop him, foul him.  He didn't tip toe around other statistics as well, getting 9 boards and actually passing 3 times for assists.  He also had a game high 2 blocks on the defensive end.  Few expect Adebayo to compete for an MVP or scoring title, but he only looks up to Wilt Chamberlain in terms of a single game total.  And his was on tape.  Adebayo is a worthy, Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 3/8/2026

Not all elite athletes are at the full-time professionals.  Some are electricians.  That is the case for this week's Sportsman of the Week.  Czech pitcher Ondřej Satoria has emerged as the best statistical pitcher in the World Baseball Classic Pool play.  The underdog Czech's were punching up in weight class in the Asian bracket, featuring MLB and Asian professional league laden Japan (defending WBC champions) and South Korea.  Satoria didn't flinch.  He dueled with emerging Japanese superstar Hiroto Takahashi for almost five innings of no run ball.  This was following a near 4 inning performance against a balanced Australian squad earlier also giving up no runs.  In total, 8 1/3 innings, 0 runs, and and ERA at 0.00 leading all pitchers in the Classic.  The very sportsmanship crowd in Japan tipped their hat, along with the Japanese players, to Satoria as he left the mound.  Czech might have gone 0-4 in what was a miracle run to make it, but Ondřej Satoria will be remembered as WBC legend.  The Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 3/1/2026

In a transition time for team sports, the spring always represents the beginning of competitive motorsports around the world.  In the United States, NASCAR remains a fan favorite.  A rare sport that starts with its most prestigious race at Daytona, then looks for other southern tracks to wait out late winter to include Atlanta (although it was near 40 degrees) and Austin, TX.  Never has a single driver won the first three races in a season.  Until 2026.  Tyler Reddick has driven nothing short of brilliantly in navigating major crashes, variable pit strategies, and outright execution in being the first NASCAR driver with three checkered flags before March (okay at least March 2).  Winning the Daytona 500 is always at the fates' mercy as huge wrecks typically take out leaders and mid-pack alike.  Then onto Atlanta where again, as a drafting track, things are tight to the finish.  Then throw in the newest road course in NASCAR at the Circuit of the Americas and a major road racing king opponent in Shane Van Gispergen who had won the last five road races.  All of it, won by Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing.  Who didn't win any races in 2025.  He's off to a great start and is nearing cruise control for the Playoffs and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportswoman of the Week Ending 2/22/2026

The second week of the 2026 Milan-Cortino Olympic Winter Games were as exciting, if not more, than the first.  While our Sportsman of the Week last week continued his dominance toward an eventual eleven Gold Medals (all time Winter Games record), and American Bobsledder earned her glory in what was sure to be her last attempt at a gold, Elana Meyers Taylor earned her first gold medal after years of greatness in the Women's Monobob.  So many story lines.  It was her fifth Olympics, the first four well decorated but without gold.  It was her sixth medal, tying Olympic legend Bonnie Blair for most medals by an American female.  Becomes only the fourth American athlete with six or more medals add Bode Miller and Apolo Anton Ohno.  The only gold medal in bobsled for the United States.  Talk about elite company.  Oh, and at age 41, she's the oldest American athlete to win any medal, and second oldest ever to win Gold.  She beat heavy favorite German Laura Nolte by four ONE HUNDREDTHS of a second through the four runs, technically she booked her time, and Nolte came in slow after a less than perfect final run. Am amazing woman, amazing athlete, amazing Olympian, amazing American, and amazing Sportswoman of the Week!

This is Elana Meyers Taylor's second Sportswoman of the Week having won four years ago.

Sportsman of the Week Ending 2/15/2026

What a week for sports, headlined by the Olympics.  And there is a new all-time Gold Medal Winter Olympics holder.  All time.  Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo continues to dominate cross-country skiing in a way not seen in his sport, or really any Winter Olympics sport.  Over three Olympiads now, the Norwegian has scored 9 gold medals.  Three in 2018, two in 2022, and now four (out of four) in 2026.  He still has two more chances to get to double digits.  Most of his contests have not been close, meaning he's turned events into a silver medal contest for the other 8 billion human beings that are living right now.  Amazing and legendary.  And he has more chances for medals.  And he's only 29.  Klaebo is under the radar for sports greatness, but not here, he is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 2/8/2026

A highlight (if not THE highlight) of the United States of America sports calendar.  It doesn't matter who is playing, fans gather in bars and houses, eat fun junk food, gear up for commercial releases, a halftime show, and, oh yeah, a football game.  Our Blog is about sports so we stick to that (although Chicken Wings should be a multi-Sportsfood of the Week).  The Seattle Seahawks emerged victorious 29-13 over the New England Patriots in a relatively lopsided (but not as much as it seemed) victory.  The story of the day was the Seahawks defense, which kept the Patriots offense off-balance at best, discombobulated at worst.  They ramshackled Drake Maye for six sacks and three interceptions including one returned for a touchdown.  But on offense, it was Kenneth Walker III who set the tone with big gains in the first half to establish the Seahawks 9-0 lead at halftime which at numbers seems low, but was comfortable.  Walker III rushed 27 times for 135 yards (tack on 26 in the passing game) and he was the man of the match.  The perfect complement to a defense that was allowing nothing.  Walker III won the Super Bowl MVP and is the Longhordave Sportsman of the Week! 

This is Kenneth Walker III second Sportsman of the Week, the last 4+ years ago in college. 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 2/1/2026

The NFL Playoffs take a pause and the Australian Open (of tennis) took center stage.  With two heavyweights facing off in the final.  In the blue corner, Serbian legend Novak Djokovic, entering the contest at 10-0 in Australian Open finals.  In the red corner, Spanish emerging superstar Carlos Alcaraz, having not won an Australian Open final yet (but having won two of the majors in 2025 and seven since 2022).  As happens, the emerging star won.  Alcaraz rebounded from a first set setback, to take Djokovic.  Alcaraz becomes the youngest to win the career Grand Slam at age 22.  He may win the season Grand Slam in 2026.  He is dominant and our Sportsman of the Week!

Note, Novak Djokovic has won the Sportsman of the Week twice

1/27/2013

7/15/2018

And Carlos Alcaraz has one once before

9/11/2022

Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/18/2026

In a weekend that some consider the "greatest of the NFL Playoffs" the elite teams separated themselves from the pack.  The "greatest" as you get all eight teams playing in four full games.  In a year full of surprises, many of the standard recent winners did not make it to the round, further adding intrigue.  One of the teams nobody was sure of was the New England Patriots.  Many broadcast professionals picked a Houston Texans upset, however the New England Patriots defense more than answered the bell.  They forced four first half interceptions from maligned Texans QB C.J. Stroud who did not bounce back from a shaky Wild Card performance.  Two of the interceptions were by Carlton Davis III.  Not known as a ball hawk, at least this year, Davis III had no regular season INTs this year.  Throw in four tackles, including 1 for loss, and Davis III was the leader of the defense that has a reasonable path to the Super Bowl through Denver.  The Patriots are for real, and Carlton Davis III is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

2026 National Baseball Hall of Fame Vote

In an LHD on Sports Blog tradition, I am once again conveying my thoughts on who I would vote for if I had a BBWAA ballot for the 2026 National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The BBWAA vote will be revealed on Major League Baseball (MLB) Network on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.  The Hall of Fame vote reveal remains one of the most anticipated moments on the baseball calendar and certainly of the offseason.  Here is the 2026 National Baseball Hall of Fame Candidates Eligible for vote (via Baseball Reference with prior year percentage total for returning candidates).  75% of all ballots cast must include the players name for induction.

Induction Ceremony 2025

As most readers probably know, the actual voting committee is the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA).  Prior to 2016, once a member, always a vote.  In 2016, several changes to the voting process were made (see my related Blog here) culling the list of voters to those who had covered the game in the prior 10 years.  This played out to remove a number of small vote ballots and increase percentages for those on the bubble.

There are a few overarching factors to cover before we get to the specifics.

1) A major, controversial specter over the Hall will continue to be how to handle candidates associated with Performance Enhancing Drug (PED) use in baseball primarily in the 1990s and early 2000s, an era for which many players accused are now on the Hall of Fame ballot although the number is dwindling with Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte and Manny Ramirez running out of eligibility.  There are players whose on-field performance likely merits election, however because of their associated with substances that enhanced their performance, some members (a minority) of the BBWAA have been hesitant to cast votes their way.  At least in the 75% needed for induction.  Because the official voting rules include the words "integrity, sportsmanship, and character," their reluctance is justified in my mind.  For my selection, I will not presume guilt, but if there are legal findings, firsthand accounts (including Mitchell Report) or strong anecdotal evidence of PED use, I will strongly weigh against voting for the candidate.  You can count me in the "The PED STJ" type here in a blog I wrote.  A constant I hear is "how can it be a Hall of Fame without Bonds, Clemens, Pete Rose, etc."  Their accomplishments, records, videos, etc. are more than prominent in the museum portion of the Hall of Fame and museum, but down by the plaques, you won't find them there.  Did the crime, do the time.

2) A change in consideration for me is how to assess pitchers.  Whereas the 300-win plateau with a low ERA reflective of the dead ball, or pitcher dominated, eras prior to 1970 used to be a norm, it's become increasingly more difficult to get wins in the era of specialty relievers with starters leaving the game before the end of the sixth inning many times in close games.  Conversely, however, one would think this would benefit starting pitchers ERA by seldom going through a lineup more than twice in some cases, rarely more than three times.  Also, after many years of closers not being strongly considered, Mariano Rivera became the first and only to date unanimous inductee to the Hall, along with high save count Trevor Hoffman, Billy Wagner, and Lee Smith in recent years.  The doors have opened a bit in that regard.  In the end, for pitchers, I strongly weigh dominance over a reasonable period of time, along with Cy Young Awards, All-Star games, win titles, career saves, and ERA.

3) There is also first and last ballot bias.  First ballot candidates some BBWAA voters seem reticent to vote in to protect some sort of integrity of being a "first ballot hall of famer".  Evidence, three voters who did not include Ken Griffey Jr. in 2016 or the one guy who didn't vote for Ichiro Suzuki in 2025.  Likewise, when a player is on his last ballot (as Tim Raines was in 2017, Edgar Martinez in 2019, Larry Walker in 2020 and Billy Wagner in 2025) voters who previously withheld a vote tend to pay a bit more attention to their candidacy considering it's a final shot and vote favorably.

Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/11/2026

The college football and NFL playoffs are firing on all cylinders with five straight days of playoff action this week (through Monday).  This week, the NFL delivered last minute drama, including three final scores beyond the 2-minute warning and another game in which a pass break up stopped the potential winning score inside the red zone.  One of the surprise offensive stars was San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who went from an afterthought on game plans to superstar.  Robinson torched the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles defense for 111 yards on 6 grabs, including a 61-yard catch on the second play of the game, then a TD catch to cap the first drive.  His playmaking was especially needed, as the Niners lost All Pro Tight End George Kittle to injury and were depleted down the field.  Fear not, Robinson to the rescue.  Despite a season of only 22 catches for under 300 total yards (and never a game over 50 yards) with just one TD, he led the way to the upset 23-19 victory over the Eagles and have many picking the 49ers as short odds for the NFC Championship.  Demarcus Robinson is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/4/2026

The Sportsman of the Week took a week off for the holidays but is back with an edge.  The College Football Playoff has been the most controversial and most watched in (well) it's two-year history, but the games are certainly drawing attention.  The best quarterfinal game by far was the Allstate Sugar Bowl, featuring two (traditional) SEC teams and big play after big play.  Most of the time delivered by Mississippi quarter back Trinidad Chambliss.  Chambliss finished the Sugar Bowl with a season high 362 passing yards on a season high 30 completions.  He led three fourth quarter drives facing a deficit to take the lead.  The last a FG on a 45-yard drive with under a minute to go to give the Rebels a 37-34 lead against the SEC Conference Champion Georgia Bulldogs.  One mistake, and the Ole Miss Rebels aren't playing in the College Football Playoff Semifinals.  Instead. Chambliss has them on to the next.  He is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!