Snaps shots from Father's Day!

My Daddio was a big Mets fan. He was a Dodger fan when the Bums skipped town just about the time I arrived. So he grew up a National league fan and transferred his allegiance to those lovable losers the New York Metropolitans.

When you are a kid you love your Dad but you have to establish your own identity. So often times you argue with him about sports and tell him his team stinks. That's how I became a Yankee fan. Now he didn't care and took me to Yankee stadium to see the 1961 team with Mickey and Whitey and Yogi and Moose and all the rest. I went to a game where Johnny Blanchard hit two home runs. It was one of my favorite memories of childhood.

But he stuck with his Mets. Then the Yankees started to stink and he would razz me especially in 1969 when the Miracle Mets started their run. He loved to get a six pack of Reingold and a veal cutlet sandwich and some fries and sit back and watch the game. Now we lived in an apartment and my Mom really didn't like to entertain all that much except for family. But every once in a while they would have someone over. One night we had some people over who lived across the street. My friend Nicky was the same age as me and his sister was the exact same age as his sister so our Moms would always walk to school together and stuff. So their family came over one night for dinner. And as we used to do in the 1960's the women went into the kitchen and the guys gathered around the TV console which was a huge wooden box. There was a little back and forth but my Dad said "Cut the crap we are watching the Mets." So we put the game on and they were playing the Cubs and Seaver is pitching. And pitching well. Pitching a no hitter in fact. Until the ninth inning when Jimmy Quals broke it up. Saved at the last minute. I didn't want to have to hear about how great the Met's were all summer. Of course I had to listen to it when they won the series.

Every year on Father's Day I honor my Daddio by watching the Mets and rooting for them one day a year. I get a sixpack of Reingold and take his place. But I can't do that today because they are playing the Yankees. Santana vs Sabathia. So I will have to do it on his birthday. I know he would understand.

I love you Daddio. Happy Fathers Day in Heaven.