Happy Father’s Day
This Sunday, as we come together to honor the dads who have shaped us, let’s reminisce about the special moments we’ve shared with them. From those early days of learning how to swing a bat to the countless hours spent glued to the TV, watching a full nine innings, and those cherished trips to the ballpark, fathers have been an integral part of our baseball journey. On this Father’s Day, let’s take a delightful stroll down memory lane and relive some of the MLB’s most unforgettable moments. And there’s no better way to capture the essence of these extraordinary feats than through the iconic Topps trading cards that immortalize the players who made these moments magical.
Mike Trout: Father’s Day 2022
The 2023 Series 2 Value Box is the only place besides the Internet where this Mike Trout card featuring a Father’s Day Commemorative Team Patch lies. We know. Great timing. But for Trout, every game against the Mariners is Father’s Day. Against Seattle on Father’s Day 2022, Trout played the role of Pappy, going yard against his Pacific Northwest foes for the 52nd time, which was the third most career homers against an opponent by any active player. Where’s Pedro? Can somebody cue the “Who’s Your Daddy” chant?
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Hank Aaron: Father’s Day, 1959
“Hammering” Hank Aaron finished his career as the MLB’s leader in homers with 755. Three of his dingers came during the Braves’ 13-3 win over the Giants on Father’s Day, 1959. After going yard in the first inning, the sensational slugger sent two more into the stands in the sixth and seventh, respectively. It marked the first and only three-homer game of his Hall of Fame career.
Ken Griffey Jr: Father’s Day 2004
With his pops, Ken Griffey Sr., sitting in the stands, the namesake made history, belting his 500th homer as Cincinnati defeated St. Louis 6-0 on Father’s Day 2004. “It’s been a great Father’s Day for me. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” said Griffey Sr. “I probably was under more pressure than he was. He’s still playing, and I had to sit and watch. It was a nice Father’s Day present, but it’s an easy way to get out of giving me something. He ain’t getting off that easy.” At age 34, the seasoned Griffey Jr. became the sixth fastest player to reach 500 dingers.
Gary Roenicke: Father’s Day 1984
To some, Roenicke was just a talented baseball player who lasted 12 seasons in the Bigs. To one lucky fan, the Orioles’ slugger is a hero. During the eighth inning of a tied ballgame vs. the Yankees, Roenicke stepped up to the plate and placed a pitch into the bleachers for a grand slam. The slam also won a fan a $1 million prize, courtesy of a promotion advertised on the broadcast before and during Roenicke’s at-bat. Get a cape for this guy!
Don Wilson: Father’s Day, 1967
With 19,199 fans in Houston’s legendary Astrodome for a Father’s Day meeting against the Braves in 1967, Don Wilson entered beast mode. The Astros’ ace struck out 15 batters, including Hank Aaron, to complete his masterpiece and put together the first no-hitter in the history of the Astrodome and the first no-no by an NL rookie since Chicago’s Sam Jones in 1955. Reportedly, Astros owner Roy Hofheinz tore up Wilson’s contract, rewrote it, and added a $1,000 bonus after the performance. When you ball, you get it all!
2021 TOPPS NOW® # 391 NEW YORK YANKEES 3rd Triple Play of the Season: Father’s Day 2021
After a 98.4 mile-per-hour pitch from Aroldis Chapman rolled over to third base, Gio Urshela scooped up the ball and stepped on the bag. He then fired the hardball over to DJ LeMahieu, who logged the second out before relaying to first baseman Chris Gittens for the final out as the Yankees defeated the Athletics. The moment marked the Yankees’ third triple play of the season, tying an MLB record, and stood as the first game-ending triple play since the Phillies turned one in 2009.
