Simple words. Maybe not the greatest, most original call ever by a sportscaster. But there's more to it. These words were first spoken on October 26, 1991, by Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Jack Buck, after Kirby Puckett's extra inning home run in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series. 20 years and one day later, Buck's son, Joe - a great broadcaster in his own right - echoed his father's famous call following David Freese's extra inning home run in Game 6 of 2011 World Series.
Significant? Not to many. It was to me. It was to Cardinal Nation. It was to Joe Buck.
What better way to honor his father? What better way to do the job he watched his father do better than most for all those years? What better way to walk in his father's footsteps?
This was especially significant to me this morning as a sat and thought about Father's Day. So far today, it is all I can think about; Father's Day. My father.
Three weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go home and visit my folks for a weekend; I don't do that enough. It was a great, relaxing weekend. I got the opportunity to spend some much needed time with family. At the time I didn't think much of it, but as I left Maryville to head towards the farm, it hit me; This was my first trip home as a man. Okay, I know that is an overused term, but what I mean was that it was the first trip home since I'd graduated college, accepted my job, moved in to my new place, began my new life. And at one particular moment, that became visible. Dad and I had the chance one night to just sit and talk. As usual with all our conversations, it began with Cardinal baseball and other various small talk. As we sat there, we began discussing the last four months of my life. I hadn't really gotten the chance to sit down and recap it all with anyone yet. I did then.
I won't go in to extreme detail about those four months; I may need to write a book someday about it all. But I will focus particularly on the moment when it all became too much. And that was what really made our (Dad and me) conversation take off.
10 days before college graduation, the university informed me that my senior paper - required for graduation - was nowhere near up to standard. 10 days before graduation, I had a D in a class that required a C for graduation. End-of-Course exams were the following week for our high school students (I was full-time teaching). Our baseball team was struggling (I was a coach). In the midst of it all, I broke down. At that point, I knelt to pray, "God, I am weak. I absolutely cannot do this on my own. I know you will never give me more than I can handle. Lord, I give myself to you. Use me. Strengthen me. Work with me, Father."
As I told this to Dad, I explained how there was a noticeable pressure taken off of me. We continued to talk. We talked about our faith. We talked about what lies ahead for us both. We talked about a budget. We talked about priorities. We talked about our goals. We talked about our family. We talked about how blessed we were. It was two of the most powerful, memorable hours of my life. When I got to bed that night, I sat up and was reminded of all sorts of times that Dad and I have had. I thought about how I used to always hang around the adults and my older brothers and always wanted to be a part of their conversations and things they did.
I used to think that it was going to take me having a serious girlfriend or wife and family for me to get to have that feeling. No more do I believe that. It was that two hour conversation that put me over the top. For the first time I began to see the man I have become. A man like my father. Daily, I am reminded of lessons and occurrences with Dad. It gets me through situations. Daily. He is a strong, God-fearing man who asked of me the same words spoken in Proverbs 23:19. "Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path."
Dad, I've listened. Even in times you may think I haven't. I have become a man. One I hope you are proud of. Thanks to you serving the Lord like you have, through you teaching me, my heart has found His path. And ultimately, that's who I serve. My brothers and I are so blessed that God placed us in your and mom's lives. You've guided us wonderfully. Thank you.
As a last thought to any who read this, one of the greatest traits of my dad is his unconditional love and care for all people. Whether he knows them or not. I pray that we can all show that kind of love to one another. Be obsessed with loving. Obsessed people give freely and openly. Obsessed people love those who hate them and can never love them back.
Happy Father's Day to all Dads. And God Bless.
