Better late than never.\u00a0 A special edition of Andy’s Rants.<\/p>\n
Usually in this column, I find one thing or another to gripe about.<\/p>\n
Not today.\u00a0 Why?<\/p>\n
Well it’s Father’s Day.\u00a0 That’s why.<\/p>\n
Before you ask.\u00a0 I am not a father.\u00a0 This is the time I remember my dad the most.\u00a0 I know let us get all sentimental and soft.<\/p>\n
Although I hardly talk about my father, he played quite a roll in every aspect of my life, even today.<\/p>\n
My father was my coach in every sport I played.\u00a0 Whether it was teaching me to throw, hit or kick he should lots of patience.<\/p>\n
He made sure I was given the best of everything when it came to sports.\u00a0 It shocked me that he played with Ben Davidson in junior college for both football and basketball.<\/p>\n
My father was tough, he knew when I needed to be pushed and when to back off.\u00a0 Something that can’t be said for fathers that see dollar signs.<\/p>\n
I think the one thing that completely surprised me about my father was in 1990 during a huge Pick Nine carryover at Santa Anita.\u00a0 With Daily Racing Form in hand I walked over to him and asked if he wanted to go halves on a ticket.<\/p>\n
I really expected him to say just pick the horses and hand me money.\u00a0 Instead he asked for the Racing Form and said come back in a hour.<\/p>\n
On a $80 ticket we hit eight of nine and received $450.\u00a0 Thanks to the fact my father picked seven of the winners.<\/p>\n
After his death on November 1993, the biggest issue I have dealt with is not being able to celebrate big moments that I have been lucky enough to be a part of.<\/p>\n
Right after his death, I was a jockey agent for my best friend Laura Gulas.\u00a0 One morning in December 1993, Derek Meredith was looking for a rider on a first time starter at Hollywood Park. My dad was a big Cardmania\u00a0 (Derek’s horse) fan.\u00a0 I went to Meredith and told him Laura would ride the filly.\u00a0 He agreed.<\/p>\n
Two days later on a rail skimming trip, Laura Gulas would find the winner circle.\u00a0 After the race all I wanted to do was celebrate with my father and realized he wasn’t there any longer.<\/p>\n
There have been so many other events I wished my father could have been at.\u00a0 My wedding, a few Arena Bowls, watching me work with the Los Angeles Avengers and most importantly following my dreams as a writer.<\/p>\n
He was the one that talked about the good old days of sports.\u00a0 About how he used to go and watch games at Wrigley Field to see the PCL Los Angeles Angels.<\/p>\n
Told me how great and heartbreaking it was to watch the Los Angeles Chargers and then the Rams.<\/p>\n
And thus, making me embrace the history of every sport.<\/p>\n
So today make Father’s Day a great day.\u00a0 I know my dad is watching down on me and giving me a “that’s my boy!”.<\/p>\n
Andy’s Rants can be read at www.midvalleynewsonline.com on Mondays.<\/p>\n
On the Couch can be read at www.midvalleysports.com from Wednesday to Sunday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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