Father's Day 2013

In honor of Father's Day, I ask this question, why not treat Father's Day like the Super Bowl, and make the occasion Father's Day week?  Start with the Belmont in New York, and finish with the US Open.  The rest of the week filled with dotted with sporting events and new television or golf club purchases.  Imagine a week that included a trip to the NBA Finals and the NHL finals.  Now that is what I am talking about.  Why not Dream Big!

I don't have too many stories of my father, but I do have to give him props for this back-to-back road trip in December 1980.  On December 6, we attended the greatest rivalry game in all of sport, Notre Dame versus USC.  The game was horrible as ND only gained one first down the first half.  USC dominated that day.  I don't remember much, except that ND QB Blair Kiel, didn't seem to throw well, but he sure could punt it!  I also remember there are some seats that are a longgggggggggg way from the playing field in the LA Coliseum.  Oh well, still nothing like the Golden Helmets coming out of a tunnel.  Attending another SC ND tilt has worked it's way on to my Bucket List.  If I had my way they would be wearing those spectacular Irish Green Jerseys, like they flashed in the 1977 game.  Anyone else remember the game in '78?  I do, like it was yesterday.  Now let's set the stage, in '74 was the classic Anthony Davis game where SC scored like a 1000 second half points to overcome a 21-6 Irish halftime lead.  That game in 1975 one of my first real sleepless nights as a sports fan as I recall.  So in '77, I am pretty revved up for  the SC ND game.  The Irish have the comeback kid as their QB, a fellow by the name of Joe Montana.  So just before kickoff, their is this Big Wooden Horse behind the goal post, in the tunnel.  I didn't get it.  I was not then familiar with the whole Trojan Horse bit of Greek Mythology.  Then, as if Lucky Charm himself had blessed my eyes, out from the horse came the Irish in those beautiful Green Jerseys.  The absolute best.  The Irish rolled that day, but what I remember most is the way they busted out in those killer cool jerseys.  Well that game in December of 1980, not exactly a game for the ages.

On to Sunday December 7.  Can you guess where I was?  That's right, the O.Co Oakland County Coliseum.  It was one of the few times, perhaps the only time, Tom Landry brought his iconic self and then America's team to Oakland during the regular season.  Funny Wikipedia said the Boys won 19-13, but I honestly can't remember the outcome.  What I do remember is Dallas wore those really cool kind of Navy Blue jerseys.  If I recall, they were later burnt at the stake for consisting of evil Kharma, but only real Cowboy fans would know that one.  Also I remember that Danny White was the QB at the time, and that just like Kiel of the Irish, he too was his team's punter.  Cool road trip Pops, cool road trip.  Lots of QB punting however!  Too this day, my favorite cheerleaders, the USC Song Girls and those Raiderettes.  Before you start slinging mud, let me tell you, White Go Go Boots, at the top of my list when it comes to ladies apparel!  Didn't see that coming did you?

So fast forward to last night, Friday June 14, celebrating Dad's weekend with my son.  Now the boy, who clearly takes after his mom, is a cross between Ray Romano and the character Sheldon of Big Bang Theory.
I kid you not!  Well, the game is actually kind of snoozer as the A's still look weary from their 18 inning affair with the Bronx Bombers the night before.  However after a Churro in the 7th inning, the boy starts getting down.  You know, Kool and the Gang style, getting down!  As he is busting his moves, sure enough, up on Jumbo Tron he goes.  Yes indeed just another proud parental moment.  He had drank a ton of root beer by the way.  By the way, for your entertainment dollar, the A's put on a great Fireworks Show, my son absolutely loves them! I was just ever so grateful that finally after all of those trips to the East Bay, my son had developed enough soul to overcome his years of brain washing by his George Straight loving mother!

So it would great if Phil won the open, after being the model and Dad and all.  But I have got to tell you, with some zeal, that if my pops were playing in the US Open, shoot my Mom, anyone in my circle--and they came too my 8th grade graduation instead of getting ready to win the Open, man I would be irked.  Fly me and my pals to heckle Tiger, but man, don't come to my 8th grade graduation!  By the way, I attended the first day of the US Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco last year, and can I just say, it was one of the most glorious days of my adult life.  Don't be hating because Go Go boots and the son have soul now!

Happy Father's Day Everybody!