Happy Fathers' day to all—a Sports memory of My Dad.

1 MomDad

I don’t usually write on Sunday but this is Fathers’ Day and the first one since this column started. My wish to all of you is that you have a memory of your Dad that keeps you going through the challenges of life. I do and I would like to share it with you.

From the time I was 7, I have been a Cubs fan. Supporting a team that has not won a championship in over 100 years is totally consistent with my personality and my luck. Of course, in 1954, I was not aware of the lack of titles and really didn’t care.

Back in the day when MLB actually played double headers, the Cubs would always come to Cincinnati and play a double dip just before my birthday (and the All Star game coincidently). My Dad ran a major business in Columbus. Even so, he would take the day off and we would go to the games and then dinner before returning home. Those were the first major league games I ever saw and what made it even better—I was with my Dad, my hero, and my best friend all in one man.

In the early 60’s the games went to night games. The only change to our procedure that caused was that dinner came first then the games.

My Dad and I have always been the best of friends. We never went through the teenage distance that so many father-son relationships do and for that I am very grateful. I am delighted to say that despite fighting in WWII including being dropped off on Omaha Red Beach 2 hours before the D-Day invasion, he is 92 and well. I will be having lunch with my Mom and Dad later today.

So to all the Dads out there, Happy Fathers Day. And to all the sons and daughters, take some time to cherish the best memories of your Dad. In this world, there is little to bring a smile to our faces. We should take advantage of those best memories as often as we can.

If you have a special sports memory of your Dad, please share it with us.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for and edits https://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and edits .

Technorati Tags: Fathers Day,Dad,D-Day,Cubs,Reds,MLB,double header,memory
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2 thoughts on “Happy Fathers' day to all—a Sports memory of My Dad.”

  1. Happy Father’s Day Bill.

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  2. My dad is a big sports fan. I don’t think there’s any sport that he doesn’t watch. Because of that, all of us have become sports fans. Of course, I’m not a big fan compared to my brothers. But nevertheless, I enjoy watching it. 🙂
    Happy dad’s day!

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