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 6:30pm to watch highlights of the two moments. After the A's and Mariners 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 (Three-time winner -- Defeated Josh Donaldson's catch on the tarp in 2013)
(From Dallas Braden)
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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. Olmedo Saenz's Bay Bridge Series walk-off against Robb Nenn
(From Ben Ross)
On July 15, 1999, A's rookie Olmedo Saenz capped a wild comeback with a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth, as the A's rallied past the Giants 11-9 at the Coliseum.
The A's trailed 9-4 in the seventh inning before scoring four runs in the frame to pull within one. Then with two on and two out in the ninth, facing Giants closer Robb Nen, Saenz belted his first career game-winning home run to send the crowd of 29,428 into a frenzy.
Saenz picked the right game to play the role of hero, as he had family members from Panama in attendance for the first time in his big league career. He went on to hit 11 home runs that season and 73 in his MLB career.
VOTE HERE: