About five weeks ago, the Voice from the Bullpen paid tribute to all the mothers on their special day with hits from the musical world, listing numerous songs that included some kind of derivative of the word Mother.

Being that I have been an Interscholastic Coach for many years, and have served on a sub-committee of the JTA Negotiating Team, doing research on Coaching Salaries, I know a lot about Title IX and the mission of making sure that athletics offers opportunities to female athletes and male athletes fairly and comparably wherever possible. I believe in Title IX, especially having coached both young men and young men in interscholastic sports, and I have carried my belief over to other arenas in which I participate. Because of this, I think all the Fathers, be they Biological, Adoptive, Step, Foster, and God fathers, deserve to be lauded in the same manner as I exalted the mothers of our lives.

So to all of you dads of any of the subcategories, here a list of songs honoring you on this Fathers’ Day 2018 …

1.) Papa Was a Rolling Stone (The Temptations)

2.) Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag (James Brown)

3.) Daddy’s Little Girl (The Mills Brothers)

4.) Oh My Papa (Eddie Fisher)

5.) Daddy’s Home (Shep and the Limelighters)

6.) Don’t Cry Daddy (Elvia Presley)

7.) Daddy Sings Bass (Johnny Cash)

8.) My Father’s Eyes (Eric Clapton)

9.) Papa Loves Mambo (Perry Como)

10.) Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow (The Rivingtons)

11.) My Dad (Paul Peterson)

12.) Color Him Father (The Winstons)

13.) Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (Allan Sherman)

14.) Daddy Don’t Walk So Fast (Wayne Newton)

15.) Mother, Father (Journey)

16.) Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man (Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton)

17.) Father and Daughter (Paul Simon)

18.) Down at Papa Joe’s (The Dixiebelles)

19.) I’m a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas (Louis Armstrong)

20.) Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar (Will Bradley)

21.) My Father’s House (Bruce Springsteen)

22.) Oh, Father (Madonna)

23.) Father and Son (Cat Stevens)

24.) Dance with My Father (Luther Vandross)

25.) Like Father, Like Son (Lenny Kravitz)

26.) Daddy’s Gone (Glasvegas)

27.) That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine (Gene Autry)

28.) Song for My Father (Horace Silver)

29.) Daddy’s Song (The Monkees)

30.) Father to Son (Phil Collins)

31.) Daddy (Beyonce)

32.) Daddy’s Little Girl (Nae & Lo)

33.) Song for Dad (Keith Urban)

34.) Song for My Father (Leon Thomas)

35.) Father of Mine (Everclear)

36.) Father to Son (Queen)

37.) Father to Son (Bob Carlisle)

38.) A Father’s Love (Bucky Covington)

39.) My Old Man (*Zac Brown Band)

40.) Thank You for Being My Dad (Jon Barker)

There are your forty, Dads, equal to the forty of the Moms. Some of the titles are the same, some of the songs are the same but by different artists, but all honoring each one of those who have stepped forward to be the patriarchs of your families or have answered the call to help the at-home parents. Your dedication to, and protection of, your families is immeasurable and appreciated by all of us.

This piece goes out to all of those fathers, again, be they Biological, Adoptive, Step, Foster, and/or God fathers. Special shout outs to my Father, Joe X., and Father-in-Law, Earl, (hoping they are both resting in peace), my son-in-law Jeff, my grandson Joshua, and Elliot Sledz, father of my future daughter-in-law, Erica. It’s to my brothers Lou and Tom, my brothers-in-law, Dick, Mark, Duane, Steve, David, Fred, my nephews, Matt, T.J., Marc, Tim, Bob F., Bob H., the Godfathers of all of my children, Tom, David, and Greg (for lighting the candle of their spiritual life at their baptisms), and all my cousins, uncles and friends, either here or in heaven, who serve in any of the “dad” roles, be you still with us or not.

It goes out to all those fathers who have appreciated Sally’s TLC, allowing her to care for their children, trusting her with their most precious little ones.

It is a tribute and testimony to everyone who has made the commitment to be a Father, a Dad, a Pop, a Papa, a Pa and feed, shelter, provide for, protect, nurture, teach, and love their children. At times it seems like a thankless job, but most often the rewards are more numerous than the stars in the night sky.

So kick back today, mute the sound on the ball game you are watching, or put the chaise lounge on the deck, and lay back with Siri or Alexa and have either of them play some, or all, of the songs listed above and be proud of the person you are today. Enjoy a tall, cool, lemonade or iced tea, look at pictures of your children, and know how much you mean to them.

I wish God’s blessings on all of you and wish a Happy Father’s Day to all of you who are!