POLL: A's Memorable Moments — Braden's Perfect Game vs McGwire's 538-foot HR off Randy Johnson

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PROGRAMMING NOTE: NBC Sports California is looking back at the A's 50 Memorable Moments since the franchise relocated to Oakland in 1968. Below are the next two moments you can vote on. Tune into A's Pregame Live tonight at 4:30pm to watch highlights of the two moments. After the A's and Rangers conclude, tune into A's Postgame Live to see which moment will move on to the next round!

1. Dallas Braden's Perfect Game on Mother's Day 2010 (Seven-time winner -- Defeated A's four-game sweep of the Yankees in 2012)

(From Dallas Braden)

Well, they haven’t taken it away yet so I guess it might not be a dream after all. It’s still insane to think that on such a special day for so many people, my teammates and I were able to etch ourselves into the hearts of A’s fans everywhere.

In the moment, I had no clue. At the same time, I was fully aware. Completely focused and emotionally distracted at the same time. Hell, I talked myself into the wrong count in the last at-bat of the game. The 27th out. In that moment I had no clue. No clue I’d become the vehicle for such an emotional moment shared between mothers and their families across baseball that special day. I do believe that’s what I was -- merely a vehicle to connect people through our beautiful game. My mom, along with the baseball gods, and Landon Powell, I guess, all steered us down the path of history and to be able to share and relive those special moments and memories is a blessing a young little leaguer can only dream of.

I hope that through my passion for the game you feel the same love I, myself, my wife, baby girl, and grandmother have felt from each of you, the fans of the Green & Gold. We couldn’t be happier to share this Mother’s Day and every Mother’s Day from here on out, TOGETHER! It’s a perfect fit if you ask me.

VS.

2. Mark McGwire's 538-foot home run off Randy Johnson in the Kingdome in 1997

(From Ben Ross)

As long as baseball is played, there may never be a more impressive home run hit. On June 24, 1997, Mark McGwire absolutely demolished a Randy Johnson fastball an estimated 538 feet at the Kingdome in Seattle.

The ball sailed well into the upper deck in left-center field, nearly off the back wall of the Kingdome. It was one of McGwire's MLB-leading 58 home runs that season – he hit 34 with the A's and another 24 after being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. McGwire finished his career with 583 home runs, ranking 11th in MLB history.

The A's went on to beat the Mariners 4-1 that night, despite Johnson recording 19 strikeouts. The Big Unit would finish the season 20-4 with a 2.28 ERA and come in second in the AL Cy Young voting, behind Roger Clemens.

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