Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/28/2013

This week was all about baseball, and our Sportsman represents the future of the sport.  Tampa Bay Rays OF Wil Myers continued a torrid streak (for himself and the team) in going 9-21, with 3 HR, 5 XBH, slugging .952.  The Rays have been red hot, thanks to the 22-year-old rookie, going 4-2 for the week, with a 21-4 record in their last 25 (and would you believe 2 losses to the Astros).  Wil Myers is a huge rising star in the game, and we'll likely see him in the postseason, when the rest of the country will finally get to know him.  For now, he is the Longhorndave, Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/21/2013

Big week across the pond, but this week's Sportsman really dominated the field in his sports ultimate event.  Great Britain's Chris Froome capped off a dominant 3 weeks in France with an easy 5 minute victory on the 100th edition of the Tour de France.  For the week, he won the critical time trial on Wednesday and showed no signs of stress on the final Alps mountain stages as the field too shots at him.  He owned the Maillot Jaune for the last 2 weeks and other than one odd day of cross winds, never showed signs of stress.  Chris Froome is at the top of his craft, and worthy Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/14/2013

As we navigate between major Tennis, Golf, and Cycling championships, this week's Sportsman of the Week hangs his hat on one unbelievable performance.  Tim Lincecum tossed the second no-hitter of 2013, just before the All Star break (which is really second half).  But he also exhibited some level of reclaim of past success in his Monday start.  For the week, 16 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs, 24 strikeouts. That's like 3 starts worth of strikeouts.  In the no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, he approached 150 pitches which is unheard of in today's game.  But he battled, received an amazing play by Hunter Pence, and got his first career no-hitter.  A worthy selection as Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportswoman of the Week Ending 7/7/2013

A highly competitive week to pick the Sportsman or Sportswoman, but had to tilt it to another first time grand slam winner.  With apologies to Andy Murray (who already won this honor), but we go to the ladies side (second straight week for the ladies).  France's Marion Bartoli stunned the entire women's field, coming from the 15 seed to capture the biggest of the majors title.  The 28-year-old veteran never lost a set in the tournament, dispatching of Sabine Lisicki in straight sets, only dropping 5 games along the way.  Congrats on joining a well deserved Longhorndave sportswoman of the Week!

Sportswoman of the Week Ending 6/30/2013

There's an amazing story developing in the LPGA, and Inbee Park is writing it.  Ms. Park has now won the first three of five (yes 5) major on the LPGA golf tour, and it really wasn't even close.  The South Korean matched Babe Zaharias as the only other golfer to win the first three majors.  Babe Zaharias!  Park won the U.S. Women's Open this last weekend by 4 strokes and it wasn't close since Friday.  All eyes will be on Park at the British Open to see if the streak continues!  A very worthy Longhorndave Sportswoman of the week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 6/23/2013

We have a first in the history of this Blog.  A repeat winner for Sportsman of the Week (78 weeks and running).  And it's the second of the calendar year as well (first was 2/10/2013).  It probably comes as no surprise it is one of the greatest athletes of the current times.  LeBron James led his Miami Heat to two victories in Games 6 and 7, both were must win, he played the lead role in each.  He averaged 34.5 points per game, 11 rebounds, and 7.5 assists (with an actual Triple Double in historic Game 6).  But most importantly, although with a solid supporting cast, enabled the Miami Heat to raise their second Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2 years.  He truly was, the Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 6/16/2013

Another week, another tour sport Major winner.  And a first one for someone who has been an elite player for years.  England's Justin Rose "survived" unpredictable weather, the usual USGA-groomed rough and lightning fast greens, and a strong field of contenders to win his first Major tournament just a stroke over par.  And some say, it doesn't get bigger than the U.S. Open.  The 32-year-old Briton had been frequently referred to as one of the best to not win a major, he doesn't need to wear that albatross around his neck anymore.  He is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 6/9/2013

This week's sportsman is slowly etching his name into the fabric of his sport.  Particularly at the French Open.  Rafael Nadal became the first gentleman's player to win the same Grand Slam event eight times.  Rafa is the best man on clay ever, and perhaps the best player on any individual surface.  In his last 60 matches at Roland Garros in Paris, he's lost one.  Fellow Spaniard David Ferrer had no answers over three sets, only eeking out 8 games.  At 12 majors, he's only chasing Pete Sampras and Roger Federer.  But chasing nobody in French Open history, and this weeks Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week.

Sportsman of the Week Ending 6/2/2013

Away from racing sports (cars or horses) and back to hardball.  One of the most intriguing stories of the year has been Domonic Brown's storming onto the baseball scene for a team that was picked to do well, but hasn't yet.  Dom was 12-27 for the week, with 7 HR (in 5 of the 7 games) and 13 RBI.  Those are good monthly numbers, let alone for a week!  Problem is the Phillies are still scuffling as they went 3-4 in those game.  Don't blame Brown, he's a legit MVP candidate, and this week's Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Phil Naessens Weekly Podcast 6/3/2013

In partnership with Sports-Kings.com - Reading Between the Seams, Check out my weekly guest spot on Phil Naessens show covering baseball news coast to coast:


Are the St. Louis Cardinals the best team in baseball? Please join host Phil Naessens and special guest David Whitlock as they discuss this and examine every division in the Major Leagues on Mondays Phil Naessens Show.


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