Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/16/2021

As a period of transition engulfs the Colorado Rockies franchise with the loss of key players, corner infielder Josh Fuentes stepped up to deliver a decent week for the struggling ball club.  With the Rockies floundering with the worst record in Major League Baseball, Fuentes put his team on his back for the week and led them to a 3-2 record by going 11-22, 2 HR, and tallying two or RBI in each game he played (13 total in five games).  His May batting average is warming up with the weather now at .347 to offset a struggling May.  The Rockies aren't going anywhere this year, but Fuentes is a player to watch, and the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsmen of the Week Ending 4/10/2016

For the SECOND time in Blog history, we are going to have TWO Sportsmen of the Week.  The first was on 1/5/2014 where I just couldn't decide.  This decision was even worse.  An historic start to a major league baseball season versus a first time major winner who defied all odds to beat what many thought was a foregone conclusion of a winner.

We'll start with the most improbable hero of the first week of the Major League Baseball season.  Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story was a virtual unknown on opening day, but has most resembled Babe Ruth incarnate.  To the tune of SEVEN home runs in his first six career games (yes, that's a record).  To go with 12 RBI, and before you think it's all Coors Field, 4 of the 7 HR were on the road.  He just won't stop, and could not be denied a piece of the Sportsman of the Week.

Turning over to The Masters, one of the greatest sporting events in America, it was a Britain that surprised.  England's Danny Willett leaped from obscurity to torch the back nine (at the same time fan favorite Jordan Spieth was collapsing).  Willett shot a 67 on the final round, the second best round of the tournament (to Spieth's 66 on Thursday).  Talk about clutch.  Bogey-free Sunday, and -3 in the last six holes, that's how you win majors.  And a major winner is Willett.

Sportsman of the Week Ending 9/6/2015

Our Sportsman of the Week probably tends toward pitching more than hitting and now is the time to change that.  A star is burgeoning in Colorado, and his name is Nolan Arenado.  In only his second full season in the big leagues, the 24-year old is quickly placing himself in the discussion of Elite.  Currently leading the National League in HR (36) and RBI (106, that's 2/3 of the triple crown, you know), he's already won two Gold Gloves (a third probable this season) and been an All-Star.  This week, he raked for 15 hits in 34 AB, homering in six consecutive games and knocking in 12 runs.  I know it's the rare air of Colorado, but note he now has 18 HR at home, 18 on the road.  Note it was 18-12 more on the road until his six at home this week.  The Rockies have a future MVP to build around, he is our Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 6/22/2014

Some are calling it the greatest pitched game of all time.  Clayton Kershaw just calls it a day at the office.  The Los Angeles Dodgers ace completely shut down the usually-good hitting Colorado Rockies in picking up his first career no-hitter.  On a franchise known for no-no's from legends like Sandy Koufax, Fernando Valenzuela, and Hideo Nomo (or even Josh Beckett earlier this year), Kershaw's outing is hard to top.  The only baserunner was due to an error.  He struck out 15 and got through the game with 107 pitches (79 strikes, 28 balls, that's one ball per batter faced).  He literally said "here it is...hit it." And they couldn't.  Clayton Kershaw is our Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/12/2013

This week's Sportsman of the Week goes to a somewhat unlikely candidate.  For team that won two games this week, not in hockey or hoops.  But rather baseball.  Colorado Rockies southpaw Jorge De La Rosa was nothing short of brilliant in two starts, earning the Rockies their only 2 wins of the week.  But not just two wins over any teams, but defeated the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals, the two teams with the most wins in their respective leagues.  He shut down those teams in 13 innings, with only 5 hits and no (0) earned runs.  And it's a good thing, because the Rockies needed those games to avoid sweeps.  De La Rosa takes this week's honors as Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!