Thursday

Hey all! Well, I was at home for about 20 hours and as of Wednesday evening, I am heading back down to the Twin Cities for the weekend. It is Father's Day weekend, and I am really excited to bring you four special Father's Day postings. They will be posted over the next two days so be sure to check back from time to time.

The first entry comes from Rick Tintor, the Twins 5th round pick in 1973, and the father of Ft. Myers Miracle outfielder Eli Tintor. Here are his thoughts as Father's Day approaches.

My son is Eli Tintor, who now is playing for the Ft. Myers Miracle. As a young child, he was a kid who always played baseball with the older kids in the block. Growing up, we played lots of catch in the front yard and many times I remember "stretching it out" by throwing it across many yards in the neighborhood. That is one of the memories I have during this Fathers Day as I couldn't wait to play catch with my Dad. He had played the game himself and had one nasty knuckleball. I lost my Dad over 10 yrs. now, but I think of him and wish he could see Eli play now. My Dad was a man of few words but very well respected. We did not do all the hugging and talking like I do now but I know he was proud of not only myself, but my brothers as well, as they were very acclaimed athletes.

I have been coaching high school and Legion baseball for over 20 years and Eli, being a December baby, was in the dugout growing up most of those years. The one time that I remember was when Eli was about 10 years old, sitting next to me, watching this opposing pitcher just manhandle our team with strikeout after strikeout. About the 6th inning, Eli says to me, "Hey Dad, can I go hit, I can hit him." I said yeah, go ahead, thinking he knew I was kidding. I turned my back for an instance and there was Eli walking up to the plate, oversized helmet and all. I called him back to the dugout and he was quite "pissed off" that I did that. That’s when I said to myself, I might have something here.

My role with Eli and his sister was one of being involved with all kinds of activities. Baseball camps, basketball, everything was done with a very caring, tireless mother/wife as she was in the concession stand, driving the vans. We all played a role in shaping Eli and his sister, Sarah.

Pride is something I tell Eli I will never waiver. I am proud of his last couple years, when he had solid years, and I am just as proud of him now as he is battling getting it going. I have complete confidence he will do this as I know his mental make-up. It's easy to be a fan/critic when things are going well with a player or your son, but I always tell Eli how proud I am when things are not going your way. Battle-Battle Battle.

Being in the Twins organization, I think is the best. The list of class people is a very long one. From Terry Ryan, Jim Rantz, Joel Lepel and Mark Wilson, the scout who signed Eli, and many more made the decision to sign with the Twins an easy one. We have had a few chances to see Eli in person and I see him play, hit the ball, run the bases, throw and the like and I always, always have one major thought come across my mind. "I wish my Dad was here"

Thank-You

Happy Fathers Day

Rick Tintor