I've been around this game for 50 years now, and I can tell you without hesitation the most important lessons I ever learned didn't come from a Coach or a Manager.
They came from my dad.
When I was 5 yrs old, my dad said "Hey, son, you want to play catch?"
I said, "Catch what?"
He said, "a baseball."
And we've been playing catch ever since.
I'm 67 now, he's 91, and we still throw the ball around when I visit home.
Dad wrote me letters every single week from the time I left for pro ball until I reached AAA
Words of encouragement, reminders to stay connected to family, and life lessons that kept me grounded when the game tried to humble me.
Those letters were lifelines during the tough times, and believe me, there were plenty of those.
My dad taught me that life's not fair and that's what makes it fair, because it's not fair for anybody.
He taught me that the only thing that's truly fair in life is a ball hit between first and third.
Most importantly, he showed me what it means to be present, to make time for what matters, and to love your family unconditionally.
Now, as a father myself to Ashley, Maddie, and Christian, I've learned that being a dad isn't about having all the answers.
It's about showing up, being authentic, and letting your kids become who they're meant to be.
Each of my children chose paths I never would have expected; Ashley found her own way, Maddie teaches us daily about unconditional love and joy despite her challenges with Prader-Willi syndrome, and Christian is in culinary school.
You know what? I couldn't be prouder.
With Father's Day coming up, I can't help but think about all the dads out there trying to figure it out, just like I did.
If you're looking for a gift that might help a father in your life reflect on his journey and maybe pick up some life lessons learned the hard way, I humbly suggest my book, Hurdle-isms: Wit and Wisdom from a Lifetime in Baseball
It's a book about life, written by a guy who happened to spend five decades in baseball and tripped up plenty along the way.
Whether you're a dad, have a dad, or are thinking about becoming one, remember this: your best ability is your availability.
Be where your feet are.
And never underestimate the power of playing catch in the backyard.
Make a difference today.
Love Clint