A Torch At the Shrine of the Hardball

The Santelli torch has been passed from father to son (who shares it with his daughter).

In the moving tribute to Arlington-interred veteran Robert J. Santelli there is notice that he wanted to be "the next Mark Twain" and that he was very much interested in sports as participant and fan, as well as bringing that involvement to his children. Oldest son Robert, an author of travel and New Jerseyiana, has now joined with daughter Jenna in another tribute that also serves to honor his father. The Baseball Fan's Bucket List is a guide to activities during the days of professional baseball as well as the off season for how to honor your (joint) adoration at the shrine of the hardball.

On the Waterfront

It is hard to explain exactly why, but most of the time when dads, daughters and water are part of the story, the ending is unhappy. Typically, fathers and female progeny are part of stories like the current one from Wales featuring the little girl who died in her daddy's arms at the bottom of a waterfall.

As a result, it is truly the rare pleasure to read of happy and wet times, such as when daughter Kass,12, gets "trout whisperer" Karl Seckinger to shut up long enough so she can reel in the first trout of her summer. Dad helps (and even gets a "thank you"), but mostly this is just DNA at work. Similarly, while gondolier pop Dante Boscolo questions daughter Giorgia's biceps, it is pretty clear how proud he is that his daughter has passed the test to become Venice's first female gondolier. (Her own rejoinder is that if he thinks this is so hard he should try child birth.)

We send thoughts of happiness (and a touch of envy) to two fab dads and our condolences to the family of the unfortunate father.