With Father's Day coming up this weekend, I just wanted to wish all the fathers out there a Happy Father's Day. I also want to reflect a little on my father, Don Laviano, or as I like to call him...Dad.

I owe so much to my Dad. He and my mother gave me and my siblings a great childhood; filled with fun, love, and life lessons. I owe them both so much. I could never repay them for working their tails off to send me, my brother, and sister to college. I wouldn't be where I am today without that gift.

Some of the best memories I have with my Dad revolve around baseball. One that I will never forget is the first Major League baseball game he took me and my brother Jared to see. It was 1985, and when we woke up on a Saturday morning he told us to get in the car because we were going to Yankee Stadium! I threw on my Yankee hat and grabbed my glove. The Yankee won 8-4 that day and I saw my two favorite players play (Dave Righetti got the save and Don Mattingly hit a homer), but what I remember even more was my Dad doing little things to make it more enjoyable for Jared and I.

He took us to the Bronx early and brought us over to where the players walked in. We tried a couple times to get some autographs, but were unsuccessful. Then Yankee great Ron Guidry came walking in. My Dad pushed the barrier aside for us to squeeze through and we got right up front and met Louisiana Lightning. I still have the old mesh hat with his faded autograph on the bill.

Then we went inside. As a 10-year-old, I couldn't believe how big the Stadium was. We got in early enough to watch the Bombers take batting practice. Dad smooth-talked one of the ushers to get us down to the backstop to get a closer look. Yankee third baseman, and another favorite of mine, Mike Pagliarulo was hitting off the batting tee. Dad wanted us to see how the Big Leaguers got ready for the game. (I am pretty sure that Jared and I used our own batting tee more regularly after watching Pags hit). We were in awe, and then the coolest thing happened, Pags actually talked to us. For a fifth grader, it doesn't get any better than talking to a Major Leaguer (who am I kidding, it is still a thrill!)

Finally, the game was about to start and we headed to our seats. I think we had upper deck tickets but Dad told us to play cool and we were going to sit down below behind the catcher. I don't remember if anyone bothered us, but I do know we never went to our real seats and we had the best time.

Now I am a father to a wonderful little girl named Marisa. I look forward to taking her to her first baseball game (or any other event she would like). Everything I know about fatherhood, I learned from my Dad. He is the kindest and nicest man you will ever know. He loves nothing more than his family, and I see it every time he smiles when Marisa calls out "Poppa!" and gives him a hug. I hope someday I can be as successful as a father as he has been to us.

So on this Sunday, I am looking forward to grillin' for and chillin' with my Dad.

Happy Father's Dad...Thanks for everything. I love you.