Bierman's Six Pack: Issue #22

Welcome to this week’s Six Pack! Each week, I’ll share a mix of thoughts (some sports-related, some not) and I’d love for you to jump in with your reactions, ideas, or recommendations in the comments. Here’s what’s on my mind this week.

To The Dads Doing Their Best

One of my least favorite songs of all time is “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin. Not because of the music, but because of the dreary lyrics. It’s a gut punch of a song about a dad who never makes time for his son, and then the son grows up and does the same thing to him. It’s bleak and sad and way too real.

I’ve thought about that song a lot since my daughter made me a first-time dad back in 2001. And I’ve thought about it at random times, such as when I didn’t feel like playing catch, or taking a walk, or watching a Disney movie for the hundredth time. I’d start to say no, and then that song would pop into my head. And most of the time, I’d say yes.

Not always. We can’t be everything, all the time. But I try. And for me, it comes down to something I once heard on Modern Family of all places. One of the characters said, “90% of being a dad is just showing up.” And I think that’s a great way to think about it.

I’m far from perfect. I can get impatient sometimes. I may occasionally say the wrong thing, and I certainly don’t always have the answers. But I try to show up. I try to be present. And I love being around my kids. I’ve learned that some of the best moments aren’t the big ones. Quite often, they’re the small ones. Taking a walk. Getting some ice cream. Having a random late-night conversation about nothing.

So to all the other dads out there doing their best, even when it’s messy, exhausting, or imperfect, just know it counts. Your presence matters more than you realize.

Happy Father’s Day.

A Sign Of The Times

Speaking of Father’s Day, I had a great one. I got to spend time with all three of my kids, I watched the U.S. Open, and we went to some friends’ house for a great dinner. But the highlight of the day was a present from my daughter.

She knows I’m a total museum and hall-of-fame geek. I love learning about and soaking in anything tied to history. A few years ago, I found out that right here in Cincinnati, we have….wait for it….the American Sign Museum. Yep, that’s a real thing. And ever since I learned about it, I’ve wanted to go. Unfortunately, my wife doesn’t exactly share my enthusiasm for that type of place, so it’s been on the back burner. But this year, my daughter made it happen.

And I’ve got to say, it was actually pretty cool.

First of all, there were way more people there than I expected. The entire parking lot was packed, and inside it actually felt a little crowded at times. But once we got going, I was in my element. Tons of old signs from all kinds of eras and industries. I ended up learning way more than I thought possible about how signs are made and the many different types that exist. On top of that, I saw some really cool vintage stuff, including signs from Ford, Sunoco, Howard Johnson’s, Big Boy, McDonald’s, Holiday Inn, and plenty more.

The whole place was well done and well organized, and there was a lot more to see than I anticipated. And I loved all the information shared about the majority of the signs, such as where they came from and how old they are. Ticket prices were very reasonable, and while it takes only an hour or so to walk through it, it was well worth the trip. If you’re into learning new things and feeling a little nostalgic, and you ever find yourself in Cincinnati, I’d recommend it.

Not sure I’ll need to go back anytime soon, but I’m really grateful I got to go. So thanks, Mac, for an awesome present. It was a perfect sign that you know your dad well.

Banana Ball Is Kinda Cool

When I was a kid, my parents took me to see the Harlem Globetrotters. It wasn’t “real” basketball, but it didn’t matter. It was fun, entertaining, and different. And I loved it.

That same feeling is exactly what the Savannah Bananas are bringing to baseball right now.

The rules are wild, the energy is nonstop, and the game is full of backflips, stilt-walking pitchers, choreographed dances, and even fan participation. But it’s not scripted, it’s not fake, and it’s definitely not boring.

They came to Cincinnati this weekend and sold out Great American Ball Park two straight nights. I didn’t get to go, but a few friends did and said it was worth every penny. The players are legit athletes, the show is nonstop, and the vibe is something you don’t get anywhere else. It’s not about the score. It’s about joy, fun, and the kind of experience that sticks with you.

As a sports fan and a dad, I love seeing something that brings families together and reminds us what makes sports fun in the first place. So hats off to the Savannah Bananas. What you’re doing is special and I hope it keeps growing. I’ll be there next time.

Omaha Always Delivers

For someone whose least favorite sport is baseball, and the sport I was easily the worst at growing up, I’ve always loved the College World Series.

That probably started in the late 80s when my 9th grade buddy’s dad took a few of us from Dallas up to Omaha two years in a row. Back then it was at old Rosenblatt Stadium, the format was a little different, and I didn’t have a team to root for. But it was electric. It felt like one of the most underrated sporting events in the country, and I still think that holds true.

The second year we went, Wichita State, a small underdog program, shocked everyone and won it all. This year I was hoping for another Cinderella run from Murray State, but after dropping game one, their hopes are fading fast.

Still, there are plenty of storylines to love in Omaha this year. One that stands out is that for the first time since 1957, there are no repeat teams in the field. All fresh faces. All new blood. And while I understand the appeal of dynasties, I have always leaned toward variety. I like when new programs get a shot and when we see something unexpected. It makes things more fun and more unpredictable.

So even though I don’t have a team in the fight, I’ll still be watching all week. It’s just a great event. And who knows, maybe Murray State isn’t done yet.

Anyone Want My Bobbleheads?

I’ve never understood the obsession with bobbleheads.

I get that they’ve been around a long time and they’re sort of part of the ballpark experience at this point. But every time I see a team promoting “Bobblehead Night,” I wonder the same thing. Who is still that excited about bobbleheads?

They’re not that detailed. They don’t do anything. They just sit there and… bobble. Yet people will line up hours early to get one. I’ve seen grown adults sprint through stadium gates just to get one of those plastic keepsakes.

I know some folks truly love them, and that’s fine. Maybe it’s nostalgia. Maybe it’s the thrill of the limited edition thing. But for me, it has just never clicked. I’ve been handed a few over the years and they’ve always ended up in the back of a drawer.

There are a lot of great giveaways at games. Hats, shirts, food vouchers, special experiences. And then there is the bobblehead. Somehow it is still the king of the promo calendar. I am not mad about it. I just don’t get it.

Let’s Build The World Golf Course

The U.S. Open delivered again with another brutal, high-stakes week of golf. JJ Spaun delivered a putt for the ages and won this year’s event as the only player in the entire field to finish under par.

Bryson DeChambeau made a comment earlier in the week that stuck with me. He said an 18-handicap might not break 200 at Oakmont. That’s not far from my game, and as I watched Sunday unfold, I honestly thought he might be right. Just a brutal course.

And while I love watching the pros grind through a course like that, I don’t want to play one. Not even close. I want a course that challenges me a little but still lets me have fun. Give me something manageable, not something that has me throwing clubs and walking off the green frustrated.

It also got me thinking again about an idea I’ve had for years. If I ever designed my own course, what would it look like? What kind of experience would I want people to have?

One idea I’ve always liked is what I call the “World Course.” Eighteen holes, each one located in a different part of the world. Hole 1 might be in California, Hole 2 in Cancun, Hole 3 in Australia. Each site would include a full local course for visitors to enjoy, but the World Course hole would be completely separate. A standalone, signature hole for the global collection. People would travel, play the official hole, and check it off their list.

It would be for the serious golf crowd. The ones with money, passion, and a little ego. The kind of people who want to say they’ve played all 18. It probably never happens. But if it does, I hope the holes are tough, just not Oakmont tough.

Thanks for checking out this week’s Six Pack, Sandman Nation! I’d love to hear your thoughts: what resonated with you, what you disagree with, or your own takes on these topics. Drop your comments and let’s keep the conversation going.