Das Team » s and 11.4 rebounds for Connecticuts frontcou

Ralph Brancas baseball life will always be defined by one pitch.Branca, who gave up a home run to the Giants Bobby Thomson, the Shot Heard Round the World that cost the Brooklyn Dodgers the 1951 National League pennant, has died at the age of 90.?His son-in-law, former major league manager Bobby Valentine, said that Branca died Wednesday at a nursing home in Rye, New York. No cause of death was given. Valentine announced Brancas death on Twitter.Thomsons home run on Oct. 3, 1951, one of the most famous in baseball history, completed the Miracle of Coogans Bluff, the Giants climb from a 12?-game deficit in the NL.Commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement that said in part, Ralph was a true gentleman who earned universal respect in the game he loved and served so well. Ralphs participation in the Shot Heard Round the World was eclipsed by the grace and sportsmanship he demonstrated following one of the games signature moments.He is better remembered for his dedication to the members of the baseball community. He was an inspiration to so many of us.Branca was born in 1926, the 15th of 17 children, and was raised in Mount Vernon, New York, just north of New York City. He arrived in the major leagues as an 18-year-old in 1944.On April 15, 1947, Branca was standing next to Jackie Robinson during pregame ceremonies as Robinson prepared to break baseballs color barrier. Mindful of the death threats that had been made against Robinson, Brancas brother John worried that he could have been collateral damage in any attempt on Robinsons life.What if the guys a lousy shot, John Branca asked.Then I wouldve died a hero, Ralph answered.Branca went on to have his best season in 1947, posting a 21-12 record with a 2.67 ERA. He became the second-youngest pitcher to win 20 games and earned the first of his three consecutive All-Star Game selections.Branca to me was a hero. I admired him so much, Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda said in a statement released by the Dodgers. Ralph and I became very close, my family and his family. I always enjoyed being around him. He was a tough one in every way and I really admired him.Branca pitched in the major leagues for 12 seasons, posting an 88-58 record, but hes best remembered for the home run he gave up to Thomson.The Dodgers held a 4-2 lead in the third game of a three-game playoff against the Giants when Branca came on in relief of Don Newcombe with one out and two men on. Thomson hit Brancas second pitch down the left field line for the game-winning home run.Later Branca recalled sitting with a priest and family friend, asking why this had happened to him.Because, he was told, youre strong enough to bear it.Branca and Thomson, wedded in baseball lore, later forged a friendship that carried through appearances and card shows. Thomson died in 2010 at the age of 86.I was closer to Ralph than to any other Dodger. We traveled around the world and became very good friends, Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully said in the Dodgers statement. He carried the cross of the Thomson home run with dignity and grace. I was grateful for his friendship and I grieve at his death. He was a great man.When he retired, Branca became a financial executive, selling insurance policies. He appeared as a contestant on the game show Concentration in 1963, winning 17 consecutive times. 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The first-place New York Liberty are looking to bounce back from Fridays blowout loss and continue their dominance over Connecticut, when the Sun visits Madison Square Garden for a Sunday matinee.The Liberty have defeated the Sun seven straight times, including an 80-72 road win on June 16. The game was tied with 2:34 to play, before New York closed out Connecticut with a 10-2 run. Liberty star forward Tin Charles scored 32 points in the win, and the free-throw line played a key role. The Liberty attempted 15 more free throws than the Sun, outscoring Connecticut by 19-11 from the foul line.New York (16-7) could not keep up with the defending-champion Minnesota Lynx in an 88-70 road loss Friday. Charles posted her 12th double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. But the Liberty faded in the second half and dropped a game to the team directly above them in the league standings.New York is third in the league standings, three games back of the Lynx. The top eight teams in the league standings, regardless of conference, qualify for the postseason.Charles is having a monster season. She leads the league in scoring, averaging 21.dddddddddddd points, and is among the league leaders in rebounding, averaging 9.5 boards per game.Connecticut (6-15) has just one win against an Eastern Conference foe this season. But the Sun did play well against the Los Angeles Sparks, owners of the best record in the WNBA, in their last game.Connecticut led by 16 early in the third quarter, but could not hold off the powerhouse Sparks and succumbed in overtime, 98-92. Alyssa Thomas scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the loss.Well, thats gut-wrenching, Sun coach Curt Miller told the Hartford Courant after the game. We continue to play really well in a lot of areas ... but the margin for error is small in this league. And playing against that team, the margin of error is even smaller.Alex Bentley leads the Sun in scoring, averaging 14.2 points per game. Thomas and forward Chiney Ogwumike have combined to averaging 21.1 points and 11.4 rebounds for Connecticuts frontcourt. cheap falcons jerseys cheap ravens jerseys cheap bills jerseys cheap bears jerseys cheap bengals jerseys cheap cowboys jerseys cheap lions jerseys cheap texans jerseys cheap colts jerseys cheap jaguars jerseys cheap chiefs jerseys cheap rams jerseys cheap dolphins jerseys cheap vikings jerseys cheap saints jerseys cheap giants jerseys cheap jets jerseys cheap eagles jerseys cheap steelers jerseys cheap 49ers jerseys ' ' '