Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

[JasonBanz]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

Dad Passed away today at around 2 am. I spent the night with him on Saturday from 6pm and got home Sunday Morning about 11am. Even though he was not speaking , I got alot out of it. Some great memories just seem to pop up. Again I wouls like to thank the starter of this thred.

Scott

Scott,
Sorry for you loss! My thoughts and prayers go to you and your family! My purpose for this thread was to keep those memories you have going!

Jason

[Tedw9]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

Scott,

My heart goes out to you and your family. I am very sorry for your loss.

Steve

[murfsteve25]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

Kind of a funny story about my dad, the "star."

Growing up, people always used to tell me how they couldnt believe how my dad never made it to the Majors. "What a hitter!" "What an arm he had!" I heard it all for years. Honestly, I never really paid attention to it. My dad was and still is a very humble guy, just occasionally talking about his playing days, though I usually brushed it off. As a side note, he went to tryouts for the Pirates, Indians, Reds and Mets, all of which were interested in signing him, but he chose to enter the Marine Corps, was injured in combat, and was then unable to compete.

In any case, my dad always talked about his "buddies" growing up, never using their names. He talked about how he didnt compare to their skill levels and could never have made it...he seemed to be the only one that thought this way.

All the years he talked about these guys, I never thought to ask who they were. Several years ago, I came back to visit my parents and my dad met me at the door. His words to me, "Don't take off your shoes, we have some people to meet." I went along with it and got in the truck. My dad told me he wanted me to meet some of his buddies from "back in the day" as he called it. The drive was a short one. When I got out of the car, there stood Joe and Phil Neikro and John Havlicek. These guys talked about my dad that afternoon like he was a Hall of Famer. Sharing stories of their high school days playing baseball together and best of all, hearing first hand confirmation from people that were at the doubleheader where my dad hit 7 home runs and threw a no hitter all within about a 5 hour span. Until this point, it was like hearing about Al Bundy and his "4 touchdowns in 1 game" story.

I was able to talk with these 3 gentlemen and see my dad laugh harder than I had ever seen him. It was the first and only time in my life I have seen my dad act embarrassed at others talking about him. To hear the Neikro's and Havlicek talk about my dad like a legend...I cant even describe it. When Phil told me that my dad threw "the best knuckleball he had ever seen" I was speechless. Really, what was I supposed to say?

After talking for nearly 2 hours, we all went to the Italian-American Club and had a few beers, talked about families and life in general. On the way home, my dad didnt say a single word, but I've never seen a bigger smile on his face...almost a smirk...telling me "told ya so!"

I'll never forget that day. That was the day I found out what a star my dad really was, though he was more of a legend to me off the field and continues to be a Hall of Famer in my eyes.

wow thats a pretty impressive story. what does your dad think about you collecting? does he collect also?

[bigtruck260]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

Scott-

My condolences brother.

Dave

[ironmanfan]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

Scott:

I'm sorry for your loss as well........

Bill

[dodgersfan]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

Scott, sorry to hear of your loss.
God bless you.


Rudy

Dad Passed away today at around 2 am. I spent the night with him on Saturday from 6pm and got home Sunday Morning about 11am. Even though he was not speaking , I got alot out of it. Some great memories just seem to pop up. Again I wouls like to thank the starter of this thred.

Scott

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

Jays1Fan,

I can certainly understand about your dad going from the hospital to hospice. My dad was in the hospital when he was told that that there was nothing else the doctors could do for him. I vividly remember that day. He kept a picture of my kids (2 and 1 years old at the time) on his nightstand in the hospital room. When I went to visit him that day he grabbed the picture and looked at me and started to cry. He said, "I'm going to miss them so much." The next day, a room at the hospice opened up, and my dad never did make it back home. He passed away 11 days later with me at his side.

I grew up a Dodgers fan, but I learned to appreciate Mickey Mantle because of him. My brother visited the Louisville Slugger factory and museum this past October and excitedly showed me pictures of him holding a Mantle gamer when I picked him up at the airport.

Thank you to all for sharing your stories in this thread. What a fantastic way to pay tribute to our Dads (and other important figures in our lives who made an impact).

Kind Regards,

Ron.

Rsamiano@aol.com

Dad Passed away today at around 2 am. I spent the night with him on Saturday from 6pm and got home Sunday Morning about 11am. Even though he was not speaking , I got alot out of it. Some great memories just seem to pop up. Again I wouls like to thank the starter of this thred.

Scott

[JasonBanz]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

Joba, when I find my wife's memory card I'll put them up!

[SSB15]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

For my birthday when I was a little boy, my father took me to the 1980 World Series in Philadelphia to watch games 6 and 7. The Phillies won the series in 6 games.

Years latter, I took my father to the 1995 World Series in New York.

Scott

[GarkoCollector]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

Kind of a funny story about my dad, the "star."

Growing up, people always used to tell me how they couldnt believe how my dad never made it to the Majors. "What a hitter!" "What an arm he had!" I heard it all for years. Honestly, I never really paid attention to it. My dad was and still is a very humble guy, just occasionally talking about his playing days, though I usually brushed it off. As a side note, he went to tryouts for the Pirates, Indians, Reds and Mets, all of which were interested in signing him, but he chose to enter the Marine Corps, was injured in combat, and was then unable to compete.

In any case, my dad always talked about his "buddies" growing up, never using their names. He talked about how he didnt compare to their skill levels and could never have made it...he seemed to be the only one that thought this way.

All the years he talked about these guys, I never thought to ask who they were. Several years ago, I came back to visit my parents and my dad met me at the door. His words to me, "Don't take off your shoes, we have some people to meet." I went along with it and got in the truck. My dad told me he wanted me to meet some of his buddies from "back in the day" as he called it. The drive was a short one. When I got out of the car, there stood Joe and Phil Neikro and John Havlicek. These guys talked about my dad that afternoon like he was a Hall of Famer. Sharing stories of their high school days playing baseball together and best of all, hearing first hand confirmation from people that were at the doubleheader where my dad hit 7 home runs and threw a no hitter all within about a 5 hour span. Until this point, it was like hearing about Al Bundy and his "4 touchdowns in 1 game" story.

I was able to talk with these 3 gentlemen and see my dad laugh harder than I had ever seen him. It was the first and only time in my life I have seen my dad act embarrassed at others talking about him. To hear the Neikro's and Havlicek talk about my dad like a legend...I cant even describe it. When Phil told me that my dad threw "the best knuckleball he had ever seen" I was speechless. Really, what was I supposed to say?

After talking for nearly 2 hours, we all went to the Italian-American Club and had a few beers, talked about families and life in general. On the way home, my dad didnt say a single word, but I've never seen a bigger smile on his face...almost a smirk...telling me "told ya so!"

I'll never forget that day. That was the day I found out what a star my dad really was, though he was more of a legend to me off the field and continues to be a Hall of Famer in my eyes.

[jobathenut]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

JASON-That's very nice of you,it means alot to me that i get to be a co-starter with you on such a great thread .It's a honor to share credit with you.And i thank you for having that few mintues to start this thread.And i would love to see the photos of you opening the gloves.

Joba, I'm glad you loved my story. I knew it was going to be great to share. I can't take all the credit for starting this thread, we tossed around the idea and I just happened to be the one who had a few minutes on my hand. I'll call you a co-starter . My wife did get a few pictures of me opening the gloves, so I'll try to get them and post them!

[JasonBanz]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

JASON-I just loved your story and had to add to your thread.As i am glad that you started this.I bet the look on your face was priceless when you saw the gloves.I am glad you liked my yankees world series story.Being a orioles fan i know how hard that must have been for you to like the story.So i really apperciate it my friend-

Joba, I'm glad you loved my story. I knew it was going to be great to share. I can't take all the credit for starting this thread, we tossed around the idea and I just happened to be the one who had a few minutes on my hand. I'll call you a co-starter . My wife did get a few pictures of me opening the gloves, so I'll try to get them and post them!

[jobathenut]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

JASON-I just loved your story and had to add to your thread.As i am glad that you started this.I bet the look on your face was priceless when you saw the gloves.I am glad you liked my yankees world series story.Being a orioles fan i know how hard that must have been for you to like the story.So i really apperciate it my friend-

Tedw9,
That is a great story, and one you will chrish for your life! Hoping for a fast recovery!

Jays1fan,
Chrish that memory you have, and I'm sure you have plenty more memories outside of sports!

Joba,
When I first opened the gloves, the first thing that went through my mind was, "This story is going on the thread"! Great story about the World Series too! Being an Orioles fan, I couldn't bear to watch the Yankees win, but hearing your story made it go down much easier!

[JasonBanz]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

Tedw9,
That is a great story, and one you will chrish for your life! Hoping for a fast recovery!

Jays1fan,
Chrish that memory you have, and I'm sure you have plenty more memories outside of sports!

Joba,
When I first opened the gloves, the first thing that went through my mind was, "This story is going on the thread"! Great story about the World Series too! Being an Orioles fan, I couldn't bear to watch the Yankees win, but hearing your story made it go down much easier!

[island_style]

Re: Anyone have any cool stories about sports and your Dad?

Tedw9,

My father had a stroke back in 1999. He was paralyzed on his left side and had to learn to walk all over again (albeit a very slow walk), which he did with the use of a quad-tip cane. It took awhile for him to walk where he wanted to go, and I accompanied him whenever I could. During these walks we shared many a good conversation. He needed assistance with just about everything from simple household activities to transferring in and out of a car. I was more than happy to help. He lived this way until 2007 when cancer eventually took over.

Jays1Fan,

I can certainly understand about your dad going from the hospital to hospice. My dad was in the hospital when he was told that that there was nothing else the doctors could do for him. I vividly remember that day. He kept a picture of my kids (2 and 1 years old at the time) on his nightstand in the hospital room. When I went to visit him that day he grabbed the picture and looked at me and started to cry. He said, "I'm going to miss them so much." The next day, a room at the hospice opened up, and my dad never did make it back home. He passed away 11 days later with me at his side.

I grew up a Dodgers fan, but I learned to appreciate Mickey Mantle because of him. My brother visited the Louisville Slugger factory and museum this past October and excitedly showed me pictures of him holding a Mantle gamer when I picked him up at the airport.

Thank you to all for sharing your stories in this thread. What a fantastic way to pay tribute to our Dads (and other important figures in our lives who made an impact).

Kind Regards,

Ron.

Rsamiano@aol.com