Happy Father's Day.

My favorite baseball team battles. Competes. Is never out of a game.

Never.

Works its tails off, and plays with a passion for the game.

Plays hurt from time to time, but when necessary, the next man up steps in and contributes.

Really, it’s different contributors all the time. No one player carrying the team on his back, and not just two or three.

It’s a team.

Chemistry matters. Great teammates make a difference.

Those things go hand in hand with the battle, the collective resilience and toughness that feeds that never-out-of-the-game identity.

My favorite baseball wins a lot. Wins far more than it loses.

Losses happen. That’s OK. Can always learn from those. Adjust. Get better.

Good baseball players can always get better.

Very good baseball players are driven to get better.

Match players like that with great coaches — coaches who believe in their players and who teach and motivate and challenge and do what they do for the right reasons — and you’re on your way.

My second favorite team has a chance to sweep St. Louis today.

Happy Father’s Day.

Photo: Elaine Payne