Tar Heels in the Pros: May 4-10
By Clint Hannah
Tar Heel alumni tore it up in their respective professional leagues this week, both on the court and on the sideline.
Baseball
Matt Harvey: It seems like every week Harvey makes this list, but he earns it. Harvey’s start on Tuesday, May 7, was one of the best starts of the season. The former Tar Heel threw nine innings, allowing only an infield single, didn’t walk anyone, and struck out 12 batters. Harvey, whose nose bled during the game, threw 6.2 innings of perfect baseball before Alex Rios legged out the only hit for the White Sox. Perhaps most shockingly, despite pitching so well Harvey left the game with a no decision. Harvey’s ERA on the season is now a staggeringly low 1.28.
Apr 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss (22) in the dugout during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Walt Weiss: Most baseball fans might remember Weiss for his time playing shortstop for the Oakland A’s, Colorado Rockies, or Atlanta Braves. The former Tar Heel is back in the Mile High City in his first season managing the team. After their loss to the St. Louis Cardinals Friday night, the Rockies were third in the division with a 19-16 record, but the team does boast the National League’s best offense.
Basketball
Danny Green: The former second round draft pick has developed into a key player for the San Antonio Spurs, and this week might have been one of his finest. In the first game of the second round, the Spurs beat the Golden State Warriors in double overtime while Green scored 22 points. He scored 10 in the game two loss but only notched three in the game three win. Delve into the statistics a little more, and Green’s defensive play stands out regardless of his point total. According to ESPN Stats and Info, when Danny Green guarded Stephen Curry in the first three games, the Warriors guard shot only 2-19 from the field. Green’s play earned some praise from ESPN writer J.A. Adande.
George Karl: Despite losing in the first round to the Warriors, the Denver Nuggets head coach received some good news this week. Karl was named the 2012-13 NBA head coach. It’s the first time Karl’s won the award after his 25th season coaching in the NBA. Karl’s Nuggets were 57-25 in the regular season, good enough for the third seed in the Western Conference. Karl’s coached 21 consecutive winning teams, tying Phil Jackson for the longest streak in NBA history.
Football
Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Gerald Sensabaugh (43) prepares to defend during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Eagles 38-33. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Gerald Sensabaugh: Dallas Cowboys safety Gerald Sensabaugh is retiring after eight NFL seasons. In his career, Sensabaugh finished with 411 tackles and 14 interceptions. Beginning his collegiate career at East Tennessee State University, Sensabaugh became a Tar Heel when ETSU disbanded their program. In his one season at Carolina, the safety recorded four interceptions, five fumble recoveries, and three touchdowns. Sensabaugh was a 5th round pick and spent 2005-2008 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Golf
Davis Love III: The end of this week marks the beginning of the Players Championship, and it was a decent start for the former Tar Heel. Love was a three time All-American at Carolina (1983-85). He shot a first round 70 (-2) and posted an even par 72 in round two. Love made the cut and sits nine shots behind the leader.