Top 20 Best Mother's Day Performances in Recent History
Bill Hall loves Mother's Day.
Or maybe he just loves swinging a pink bat. I'm not sure which it is.
Regardless, he's not the only athlete that loves playing on Mother's Day.
These guys mean business when it comes to delivering on one of the most chocolate-filled days in the calendar, and they made people happy in ways that the sweet treat never could.
20. Bill Hall
1 of 20
Stat Line: 1-4, HR, RBI, 6-5 win
Hall was the man with a plan for the Brewers on Mother's Day back in 2006.
His stat line may seem rather ordinary, but the homer was the difference in the game and a walk-off victory for the Brewers.
There's no doubt that it had something to do with the magic of the pink bat.
19. Fred Lewis
2 of 20
Stat Line: 5-6, HR, 4 RBI, 15-2 win
This was the beginning of Fred Lewis making a name for himself.
Although he still hasn't quite solidified his role as an everyday player in the major leagues, Lewis has flashed brilliant potential at times, and really came through in a big way on this day for the Giants.
Five-hit days don't come around very often anymore, and Lewis should cherish this memory dearly.
18. Carlos Boozer
3 of 20
Stat Line: 34 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 115-101 win
Remember when Carlos Boozer used to drop lines like this on a nightly basis?
This performance might seem rather typical of Carlos' time with Deron Williams and the Jazz, but the magnitude of this game is what elevates this one onto the list.
It was the series-clinching victory for Utah. And if you look at the current state of their roster, fans are probably longing for past days like these.
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17. Jack Cust
4 of 20
Stat Line: 2-4, HR, 3 RBI
When Cust is at the plate, it's usually one of two outcomes: a strikeout or a home run.
Okay, that's a little drastic. But in all seriousness, Cust is the definition of a boom or bust type of guy. Fortunately for the Athletics on this day, he was a big boom.
Cust connected for a game-winning three-run homer to give his team a walkoff victory back in 2007, and everybody's holiday got a little bit sweeter because of it.
16. Randy Winn
5 of 20
Stat Line: 4-6, 2 RBI, 7-5 win (13 IP)
In a marathon-type of game with the Dodgers, Winn had arguably one of his most prolific days in recent memory.
He was the reason that his team won the game, garnering his fourth hit in the 13th to seal the victory for the Giants, long before the days of the World Series would ever enter the heads of their fans.
Although he's now retired from the game, he's one of the more underrated players over the last 15 years.
15. Colby Rasmus
6 of 20
Stat Line: 2-5, 2 RBI, 8-7 win (10 IP)
Another game-winning hit makes the list, as Rasmus knocked the baseball into the outfield for a double that plated two of his teammates with the Cards down by one.
A young kid who hasn't quite reached his full potential, I can safely say that he made his momma proud with this performance on the holiday.
He's not Jim Edmonds, but you don't hear anyone clamoring for an upgrade anymore.
14. Coco Crisp
7 of 20
Stat Line: 2-5, HR, 3 RBI, 9-8 win
Crisp plated the go-ahead RBI after belting a two-run shot to give the Red Sox a come from behind victory over the Minnesota Twins.
This was about the same time that Crisp started growing out his hair, which has now blossomed into an entity that's larger than Brian Wilson's beard.
He may never garner the attention that he did during his tenure in Boston, but he's still a solid baseball player capable of impacting the top of most lineups.
13. Ken Griffey, Jr.
8 of 20
Stat Line: 2-5, HR, 2 RBI, 5-3 win
While there is nothing particularly staggering about Griffey's stat line outside of his two-run homer, this occasion marked the star's last full season in the MLB.
In the most historic case of "what could have been", Griff brought fans to the game in Seattle during his final year, and will always be an iconic figure for the franchise.
He learned that year that both of his parents were battling cancer, so you'd have to think that this one was extra special to the superstar.
12. Manu Ginobili
9 of 20
Stat Line: 15 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 5 steals, 107-101 loss
This magnificently well-rounded output would be a lot higher if his team hadn't lost, but it's tough to place the onus of defeat on Manu for this one.
His level of play has undoubtedly fluctuated, but Ginobili brought his A game in 2010 when San Antonio needed him most.
If the Spurs hope to ever reach the finals again during Manu's tenure with the team, they're going to have to get some young legs to help.
11. Aaron Brooks
10 of 20
Stat Line: 34 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 99-87 win
Aaron Brooks used to be considered a franchise point guard.
Despite losing his starting spot to Kyle Lowry this season and falling out of favor with Houston, Brooks and his red bow tie were the talk of the NBA postseason in 2009.
His inspiring performance made the Lakers' defense look atrocious, as the Rockets gave the champs just about everything that they could possibly handle in a seven-game set.
10. Hunter Pence
11 of 20
Stat Line: 3-5, HR, 2 RBI, 4-3 win
Mr. Pence clearly wanted to be seen as the best son ever.
Not only did he homer earlier in the tight game for his team, but then delivered the game-winning RBI hit to give the Astros the victory.
For a kid with an unconventional batting stance who some scouts were convinced wouldn't find long-term success in the big leagues, he's done a good job of proving them wrong.
9. Ivan Rodriguez
12 of 20
Stat Line: 4-4, HR, 2 RBI 12-5 win
Isn't it incredible how quickly a baseball player can age?
Pudge put up this impressive line for the 'Stros in 2009, yet here we stand in 2011 and it looks like he couldn't hit a beach ball with an oversized bat.
Not only was I-Rod solid at the dish, but his perennially solid game-calling allowed Roy Oswalt to scoop up his first win of the season after having to wait almost a month and a half into the season.
8. Steve Holm
13 of 20
Stat Line: 1-1, HR, 2 RBI, 4-3 win
Holm was the talk of the town on Mother's Day when he delivered a pinch-hit homer for the Giants to give them an impressive victory.
But the real story here is about the backup catcher. This was the one and only career home run that he's ever managed to knock out of the park.
And the fact that it game in a tight spot with the game on the line? It's no wonder he's been able to latch on with the Twins this season.
7. Torii Hunter
14 of 20
Stat Line: 3-5, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 16-4 win
Maybe Mr. Hunter never should have left Minnesota.
How many performances have we seen like this from Torii since his arrival in Los Angeles? Yes, he's been good, and yes, he's been solid, but he's never been outstanding like he was for the Twins.
Regardless, this was a holiday that Hunter will surely never forget as he was able to bring home the bacon for his Twinkies in a massive pummeling of division rival Detroit.
6. Kobe Bryant
15 of 20
Stat Line: 33 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 123-115 OT Loss
The Black Mamba is known for delivering memorable performances when it mattered most, but it's been a while since we've seen this type of dominating box score from Kobe.
Granted that he hasn't needed to be the one-man show that he has been in years past recently, Kobe turned back the clock for this effort and really displayed what hes capable of doing.
Anyone that thinks that Bryant is too old for the spotlight is still looking too hard to find a flaw in his game.
5. Clay Hensley
16 of 20
Stat Line: 9 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 9-0 win
I'm pretty sure Mother's Day is going to mean something extra special for Hensley for the rest of his life.
The well-traveled righty hurled the one and only complete game master piece of his career for the Padres back in 2006, and perhaps his extra motivation came from wanting to make his mother proud.
Currently a reliever, this may very well go down as the best performance in Hensley's major league career.
4. Tim Duncan
17 of 20
Stat Line: 22 points, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks, 100-80 win
And that was in 2008. It's amazing how in just a few years time, a player can really take a step back with in his game.
Sure, Duncan still delivers the occasional gem from time-to-time, but his balky knees have really limited the once enormous upside of the face of the San Antonio franchise.
Now transforming his style to fit his aging body, let's hope that Timmy D doesn't flame out like so many great big men before him have.
3. Ryan Howard
18 of 20
Stat Line: 2-2, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2-1 win (12 IP)
Howard entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning and immediately delivered the game-tying homer.
It's a good thing that Charlie Manuel decided to keep him in the game at first base after that, because Howard came up again later and put another one into the stands.
He was the sole reason why his team won the game and he didn't even start the first inning. Now that's a day to remember.
2. Rajon Rondo
19 of 20
Stat Line: 29 points, 18 rebounds, 13 assists, 97-87 win
This is one of the more impressive playoff performances that I've witnessed in a very long time.
How Rondo managed to secure an insane 18 rebounds is absolutely beyond a logical level of comprehension, but even more impressive is his incredible efficiency in this game.
The Celtics would have never gotten by the LeBron-led Cavs in 2010 if it weren't for Rondo, who seemingly became a new player in last year's postseason, and his effort would be number one if it weren't for perfection.
1. Dallas Braden
20 of 20
Stat Line: 9 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
A perfect game on Mother's Day for Mr. Dallas Braden.
In what can only be described as an amazing performance followed by an even more emotional celebration between Braden and his grandmother, the Oakland lefty enjoyed a Mother's Day Miracle that he will certainly never forget.
The talented pitcher lost his mother to cancer as a teenager, and said after the game that this one was dedicated to his mom.
And there's no doubt she watched her son shine brightly on the hill.
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