Thanks for giving me Sports

My dad was a sports fan, not the modern day internet Sports center type fan I am. No my Dad was a read the morning and evening newspapers watch the news get the Morning telegraph to see how the horses were running meat and potatoes sports fan. Phillies in the summer, Sixers in the winter, Eagles in the fall. My Dad taught me to be a Homer to love and respect where you came from and who you were. Sports had no color or creed, it was effort and hard work and fun and the chance to show the world who you were. Today’s mega contracts and egos were not as big a part of his sports world and he knew that no matter how many autographs he brought me none was as impressive as the awards with his name embossed across them. In my introduction to the sporting world he took me to see the Sixers play at Convention Hall, the Phillies at Connie Mack, the Eagles at Franklin Field, as a field trip every summer we would see the Eagles play an exhibition game in Hershey Pa. No jumbotrons, no dance teams, no sports center highlights just memories burned into my heart and spirit. I don't t think my Dad would have Blogged his ideas and expressions had to be delivered face to face and reinforced with a handshake or a look of disapproval. My Dad taught me the players were no more special than the common guy that earned a living and despite the odds put food on the table and could be trusted on his word, signing a contract and wanting to renegotiate and get out of it before the ink was dry would have turned his stomach. I thank him for teaching how to look the ball in, to work harder than the next guy, for breaking my baseball glove in and not killing me when I lost it. My Dad told me to see as many games in as many places as I could and go to the Super Bowl (he was at Super Bowl 1) never bet over your means and always pay your debts. My Dad died watching the ponies run at now departed Garden State Race Track I think he had a hand full of winners and the shock killed him, but he went out doing something he loved. On this Fathers day I thank him for all the lessons learned the love he gave and for giving me sports.