Danny is a long way from parenthood in any way that would get him breakfast in bed, a weekend free of household chores, and a small gift for Father's Day; the mode of celebration he and his siblings have traditionally held for their parents on their respective days. Some people might count Rudy as Danny's kid, but the day Rudy does the dishes and gives him a new tie is not very likely to come.

Danny's first thought was to invite his Dad up to St. Louis for the final few home games before the Playoffs. He would take some time off of practice to do some sight-seeing and hang out between games. That was what he had done with his Mom for Mother's Day and she had loved the Arch and the museums. After thinking about it, he instead flew home for the weekend to surprise his family. Mowing the lawn and making pancakes isn't as much fun as taking your Dad out to Kaufman Park to play catch or a tour of the Anheuser-Busch brewery, but it was worth it if for nothing else than the look of surprise when the pancakes weren't burned and Danny was sitting at the dining room table.