The Bulletin (yes, third person) grew up watching Junior Seau dominate the Linebacker position in the NFL. Seau played the bulk of his career in San Diego, with the Chargers, and in his prime was a dominant, fierce force on the football field. Unstoppable in pursuit of the ball-carrier.

Seau died yesterday of what appears, at least initially, to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. The 43 year old, six-time All-Pro was most recently in the news in 2010 when he drove his car over a cliff in California, hours after being arrested for assaulting his girlfriend. At the time, Seau said that the accident was not a suicide attempt, but rather, an accident. He claimed to have fallen asleep at the wheel of his car. And perhaps that’s the case. Regardless, you’d be naïve not to draw a connection between the two events.

Additionally, you’d be naïve to not draw a connection between the death of Seau and that of former NFL safety Dave Duerson, who killed himself a year ago, leaving behind instructions for the medical community to study his brain for evidence of injury.  Examinations of his brain showed extensive degeneration due to frequent trauma.

The Boston University Medical Group, who studied Duerson’s brain, is now in the process of trying to acquire Seau’s brain to determine whether his death could also be tied to his years as a fierce hitter on the football field.

Late last night, out west, Angels pitcher Jered Weaver became the first Angel to throw a no-hitter since, well, last year. And Weaver became the first Major Leaguer to throw a no-hitter since, well, 10 days ago.

Common occurrences aside, Weaver did throw a no-hitter and that deserves to be celebrated. Only two runners reached base against him; one on a passed ball and the other via a walk. He struck out 9 Minnesota Twins, but did have to throw 122 pitches to complete his first career no-hitter.

Albert Pujols was very happy, I’m sure, to hand over the spotlight to Jered Weaver for one night. Pujols went homerless again in the 9-0 Angels victory.

Early this morning, the Washington Capitals fell 2-1 to the New York Rangers in a triple OT thriller in the nation’s capital.

The overtime periods were marked by a handful of missed opportunities for the Capitals. Following a great check in the offensive zone, forward Matt Hendricks found an open Troy Brouwer in front of the net. Brouwer shot wide right. 

Later, Alex Ovechkin stole the puck from a Ranger defenseman in the Capitals offensive zone and fired a shot passed Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist. The puck clanked off of the goalpost, missing the net by centimeters.

Nearing the end of the third OT, Marian Gaborik was able to beat Capitals goalie Braden Holtby through his legs for the game winning goal.

Combined, Holtby and Lundvist stopped 92 of 95 total shots and both made great glove saves in the overtime periods. For Holtby, it was all for not.

Game 4 (NYR lead 2-1) will be played on Saturday at Verizon Center.

Down 4-3 entering the bottom of the ninth last night, the Washington Nationals were picked up, so to speak, by their youngest player. Leading off the inning, Bryce Harper hit his second double of the game (both high off of the wall in right-center). With Harper in scoring position, Wilson Ramos and Rick Ankiel both struck out swinging, neither looking terribly impressive in doing so.

With two outs, in stepped Ian Desmond, the Major League leader in swinging at the first pitch he sees in an at-bat as well as the leader in giving me ulcers. With the count 1-1, Desmond took a big swing and delivered a ball into the Diamondbacks bullpen, giving the Nats a 5-4 victory and ending their 5 game losing streak.

Harper, it should be noted, enters tonight’s game with a slash line of .385/.400/.615, albeit in just 13 at-bats. When asked last night if he will move the hot-hitting Harper higher in the order, Nats manager Davey Johnson essentially said, “Why not?”

The Nats will wrap up their 3-game series with Arizona tonight at the Navy Yard. Ross Detweiler will take the hill for the Nats and will oppose Ian Kennedy (21-4, 2.88 ERA last year). Game time is 7:05 on MASN.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks (9:30/TNT). The defending champion Mavericks come in to tonight’s game in a 2-0 hole. A loss will effectively end their quest for a  repeat.