Giving Props to Pops

2014 Topps Update #153

Kurt Suzuki is currently my favorite player... but he's not my hero.  Neither was Tony Gwynn, Rickey Henderson, or Greg Maddux.  That title has always been reserved for my father:

He inspired me and my siblings to always try our best and to avoid taking short cuts in life.  From the time I was born until my final year in college, my father worked ten to twelve hour days... five days a week to provide for his family.

1993 Bowman #702

He motivated all of us to persevere and never give up.  If we started something it was important to follow through and finish it.

1988 Donruss #625

We were raised to always be there for each other and it's nice to know that even though all of his children are grown up and living in different cities... that we still make the time to visit and hang out with each other.

1992 Upper Deck #85

Most importantly... my father taught us the importance of having character, honoring the family name, and learning from our mistakes in life.

1982 Fleer #640

Thank you for everything Pops!  You might not catch like Kurt... or hit like Gwynn... or steal bases like Rickey... or throw a ball like Maddux... but you're a hero in my book.

Happy Sunday and sayonara!