Of Dads and Sons
Last night Prince Fielder became the youngest player in Major League Baseball history to hit 50 home runs in one season. The budding superstar hit numbers 49 and 50 at the age of 23 years, 140 days; eclipsing Willie Mays’ record by almost one year in age.
Prince’s dad was also a star of MLB. Cecil Fielder had a very nice career, even belting 51 home runs in one season. One of those 51 was one of the most memorable shots I’ve ever seen, as it landed on the roof of old Tiger Stadium’s left field.
You might think that this family would love the fact that both father and son have now had 50 home run seasons, but that is, sadly, not the case. I don’t know all the reasons (and I’m not sure I want to know), but Prince and Cecil–father and son–have argued for years. Even when the young Prince was drafted into the Majors his dad said, in essence, “He’s only being drafted because of his name. He’s being drafted because of me.”
Instead of working things out, the arguing and tension has only grown worse. Last night, after reaching the milestone of hitting 50 home runs, Prince was asked if he wanted the baseball back. His answer was, “I don’t want this one back. When I hit 52, I’ll want that one, because then my dad can’t say anything.” In other words, “I’ll have one more homer than him, and he’ll have to shut up about it.”
What could possibly cause a father and son to be this way? Intense competitiveness? Jealousy? Total arrogance?
I don’t know, but I’m thankful that I was raised in a house–no, a home–where this was not the case. When I passed my dad in basketball skills, he didn’t put me down; he told me to continue to improve and be the best player I could be. And the opposite is true as well. Dad is multiple times better than me at preaching and other things, but that’s fine with me. I’m just glad he’s my dad.
I don’t know Cecil and Prince Fielder, but I hope they work things out. It’s truly sad to see a father and son act this way, but it sure continues to help me appreciate the dad I have. It also makes me want to be the best dad I can be for my son (and daughter).
