Mamas want our sons to grow up to be like Madison Bumgarner and Steve Kerr

On the day Madison Bumgarner officially received the Sportsman of the Year Award, I couldn't wait to hear his acceptance speech and see him all dressed up in his suit. Rumor has it, it's his first "real" suit. How wonderful is that? Our guy did not disappoint. He stood at the podium much like he did on the mound. Seemingly unfazed, even if he was a little nervous, he was smooth and genuine. In that Mad Bum easy going manner we are so accustomed to, he first thanked the audience for being there and reminded us all of why he's such an ace.

"This is a huge blessing. Just to be a part of this and have the recognition," said Bumgarner. "I couldn't be more humbled. In the game of baseball you get humbled a lot, and none of it compares to this at all."
The 25 year old lefty didn't mention the world series or the MVP award. He didn't remind the audience of the multitude of records he's broken. He just gave thanks.
"I want to thank my teammates. If it wasn't for them, there is no chance of me standing here today," said Bumgarner. "I want to thank Pam and Larry Bauer for being here. I know it's a busy time. I want to thank my manager Bruce Bochy, the coaching staff and front office. It truly is a blessing to be part of the Giants organization."
He recalled how the Giants were the ones who believed in him when he was just a high school kid with one pitch. Then to conclude the 2:24 minute speech he proved why every mother in the room and around the world would love their babies to grow up to be like him. " Last but not least, I want to thank my wife," added Bumgarner. "There's no way I would have been able to do any of this stuff without her. I love you and I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together."
As a mother of two athletes that is how I want my children to behave, with humility and gratitude. To recognize you are not alone and to give thanks. Yes, you have extraordinary talent, but talent alone doesn't win championships.

At Oracle Arena tonight, Golden State Warriors first year Coach Steve Kerr, sounded an awful lot like the Sportsman of the Year. He became the first rookie NBA coach to win 19 of his first 21 games. The Warriors beat a tough Houston Rockets team 105-93 and extended their franchise best winning streak to 14 games. Again it was not a pretty game, especially in the first half. But somehow, Kerr inspired his players and put them in a position to win without their key defender, 7 footer Andrew Bogut.  Klay Thompson kept shooting despite  a slow start and finished with 21 points, Stephen Curry and Harrison Barnes added 20 each. Five Warriors recorded double figures. After the game, Kerr had nothing by praise for his team.
"Down the stretch we just had tremendous effort from everybody on the floor," said Kerr who just like Bumgarner shared the credit for his NBA best 19-2 record.
"It means I'm the luckiest coach in NBA history because I inherited the best team in the NBA," explained Kerr. " I love these guys. I love coming to work. It's a great organization with unbelievable fans."
And the sell-out crowd at Oracle is returning the love. Just like Giants fans, they know they have the real deal: true winners know how to play together and share the credit. If only the 49ers were listening...