Sportsman of the Week Ending 8/28/2022

The Los Angeles Dodgers, probably the model franchise alongside the Houston Astros over the last 7 years, are completely dominating the 2022 season.  Now 50 (!) games over .500 the only question is whether their pitching will be as healthy as it needs to be to beat the Braves, Mets, and Cardinals.  But their hitting is fine, thanks to their MVP candidate (not likely to win) Mookie Betts.  Betts is in line for his fourth Top 5 MVP finish in five years surpassing his career high in home runs and likely leading the league in runs for the third time in five years.  This week, Betts went 9-27. with 3 2B and 4 HR, but most of the damage was done over the weekend series against the Miami Marlins where he went 8-15, 2 2B, 4 HR, 5 R, 7 RBI. Team went 4-2 scoring 40 runs in the wins, just bludgeoning opponents.  Will Mookie win his 3rd World Series Championship in 5 years?  He will certainly have a say in it and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 8/21/2022

In an incredible defiance of father time, our Sportsman of the Week whipped up an assault on the hallowed Major League Baseball record book unmatched by any (non-PED) players of all time.  The St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols slugged the ball like it was 2012.  Or even 2002.  The 42-year-old had an amazing week for the surging St. Louis Cardinals that have taken a lead in the National League Central that might not be given up.  From Sunday August 14 through Sunday August 21, the machine was 10-17, with 5 HR and 11 RBI.  His OPS surged from .743 to .863 in just that one week.  The most important thing, the Cardinals went 7-0, and are now 14-1 in games in which he played over the last couple of weeks.  In a season in which he promises to retire, he looks like a man in his prime.  And he is a worthy (first-time) Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 8/14/2022

After weeks of being in the last few groups and teasing victory, our Sportsman of the Week finally got his first victory on the Professional Golf Association Tour.  Will Zalatoris won when it counted, the Fed Ex Playoffs.  In the Fed Ex St. Jude Championship in Memphis, TN.  Will Z had seven Top 6 PGA finishes in 2022, including three of the four majors (Masters 6, PGA 2-playoff, US Open 2).  Sniffing his first win, he almost came up bridesmaid again as his tee shot on the third playoff hole was spared the water but lodged unhittable with a probably drop-penalty coming.  Sepp Straka couldn't hold the green either and Zalatoris didn't flinch again in getting a drop, pitch, and putt for an oh so good bogey.  The racous crowd roared in approval, and Zalatoris emerged as our Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 8/7/2022

Another amazing week in Major League Baseball as the playoff picture continues to focus and teams, now after the trade deadline, make their sprint toward Division titles.  No team did more for their cause than the St. Louis Cardinals.  Let by Nolan Arenado, the Cardinals have won seven straight games, including sweeps of the rival Chicago Cubs and vaunted New York Yankees.  Arenado was unstoppable, batting .524 (11-21), with 8 runs, 3 HR, and 8 RBI in six games over the week.  The Cardinals averaged 5.5 runs per game which was more than enough to carry the week.  As the Cardinals surge into first place over their rival Brewers, Arenado shines as the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/31/2022

Baseball takes center stage as we transition toward late summer before the fall sports start.  And nobody has been a better hitter in baseball than Aaron Judge.  The Free Agent to be is putting together an historic season (that surely will result in a huge payday from the New York Yankees or otherwise).  Judge continued to torment pitching with another amazing week, netting him his second American League Player of the Week in a row.  This week, Judge was 8-23, with 5 HR, 7 runs and 10 RBI in six games.  For the season, up to 42 HR and 91 RBI, a great season and there is two months left!  Will he surpass the Yankees team record of 61 Home Runs?  Will he win the MVP over Shohei Ohtani?  Odds are yes to both, but Judge is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!