GAME-CHANGERS
Top 10 American sportsmen who have taken their talents to the political arena
Nov 3, 2020, 2:44 pm
Schwarzenegger famously became the Governor of California. Photo via: Wiki Commons.
Happy Election Day Houston. Regardless of which Presidential candidate comes away victorious, millions of Americans hope that 2020 will be the last year sports and politics clash. Here are the top 10 American sportsmen who have taken their talents to the political world.
1. Jesse Ventura (Ind)- Famed wrestler Jesse "The Body" Ventura served as Minnesota's governor from 1999 to 2003.
2. Frank White (D)- White had an illustrious 18 year career with the Kansas City Royals that included five trips to the All-Star Game and a World Series ring. He served as a member of the Jackson County (Missouri) Legislature from 2014 to 2016. He has since become a county executive.
3. Walter Johnson (R)- The Hall of Fame fireballer pitched three Triple Crown (strikeout, wins, ERA) seasons during his illustrious 20-year career in MLB. After his award-winning trip to Cooperstown, "The Big Train" took a chance in the political world and served as commissioner of Montgomery County, Maryland.
4. Jack Mildren (D)- The former Oklahoma and New England Patriots quarterback served as Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma from 1991 until 1995.
5. Tom McMillen (D)- McMillen played basketball for the University of Maryland and went on to the NBA for the Buffalo Braves, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Bullets. Following his NBA career, he became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 4th district from 1987 to 1993.
6. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R)- The three-time Mr. Universe and seven-time Mr. Olympia served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 to 2011.
7. Corey Booker (D)- Booker caught one touchdown pass in three years of playing tight end at Stanford. Booker claims that being cut his senior year helped craft his political career leading to becoming a US senator from New Jersey.
8. Anthony Gonzalez (R)- The 2007 1st round NFL pick out of Ohio State played five years at wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. He has been serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 16th district since last year.
9. Kevin Johnson (D)- Johnson played in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns from 1987 to 2000. He completed his B.A. in political science from Cal Berkeley after retiring, and went on to serve as Mayor of Sacramento from 2008 to 2016.
10. Colin Allred (D)- After a standout career at Baylor University, Allred played linebacker in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans from 2006-2010. Since 2019, Allred has been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas 32nd district.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.