It's Father's Day once again, time to give back to dad. As the LSU Tigers await their appearance in the College World Series Championship game, could one former Tiger be helping from a higher place?
It is a Hollywood script in the making. Another post-Katrina team overcoming adversity to win a National Championship, but its the back story that will make it an Academy Award winner. The name: "My Brother's Keeper: Always '31."
For anyone who has followed Tiger baseball, this is not a surprise. The last time the Tigers won it all in baseball was in 2000, and Wally Pontiff, Jr., as a freshman, had a huge impact on that win. Now can his little brother Nicholas, a senior this year, do it again?
Wally Jr.'s quest for another CWS championship was never achieved, but his hard work was always admired. Not surprising for the All-American student athlete.
For those who aren't familiar, Wally Pontiff, Jr. passed away in his sleep on July 24, 2002, due to a heart defect. He had attended a baseball game earlier that week with his dad, Wally Pontiff, Sr., a former Tulane University pitcher. Junior had been drafted by the Oakland A's. Now a gut wrenching decision needed to be made, and Wally Jr. was weighing his options.
Nicholas is not the most talented on this year's team, but his heart is a driving force. He reminisced during the Wally Pontiff, Jr. playground dedication on one of his brother's games.
"I was five years old, eating a hamburger behind the right field fence," said Pontiff. "Next thing I knew I was in the emergency room having an X-ray on my back. My brother, at 10 years old, had hit a home run."
Of all the places for the ball to land, his brother's back, I am sure, was not where he had planned.
Nick, also an award-winning student athlete, was quoted as saying, "My older brother was a huge part of my life. He was my idol. But we're actually very different as baseball players, so my goals are to be a credit to my dad and compared to my brother as a person."
On Father's Day, how wonderful a gift: the gift of time. Time to enjoy a game with dad, the man who shares your passion for baseball.
The excitement the fans of LSU are putting off reminds me of the vibes we felt leading up to the Superdome re-opening. The fans support the team while the team supports its fans.
As an LSU fan I can't wait for tomorrow. As a fan of the Pontiff family, my fingers are crossed and I have nothing but happy thoughts!
My father went to school with the Pontiff family. Mr. Wally was my brother's pitching coach, and his brother was in my mom and dad's wedding.
My father passed in 2005, or we would be watching the game together tomorrow. I do know that both he and Wally Jr. will be tuned in, probably watching together.
Geaux Tigers!
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