(Massena) KSOM/KS95 Sports kicks off a week long Father’s Day series. Over the next five days we’ll be hearing from fathers and sons who strengthened their bond through sports.
CAM graduate Marcus Daugherty admits playing baseball for his father Dan was all it was cracked up to be. “I think so. Me and my dad for the most part we saw eye-to-eye. I think that always helped. He always believed in me. I think he respected my opinions and I respected his opinions. Every once in a while we bumped heads, but for the most part I think we made the most out of it and had a lot of fun.”
He played baseball for his dad for at least a dozen summers. From t-ball all the way to the high school state tournament. After winning a substate final in Harlan against St. Albert on July 18th, 2017, came an embrace they won’t soon forget. “I’d say that’s probably the best moment me and him have ever had.” Marcus says, “Just talking about it gets emotional. That was such a happy day.”
There’s no doubt their time on the diamond brought them closer together. “Over those years baseball became my passion and it was always his. That’s something I’ve been forever grateful for with him and the bond that we have for life. That’s something that even today we bond over.”
Marcus also got the opportunity to be an assistant coach under his dad and says he learned from one of the best around.
Coach Dan Daugherty recalls that run to the state tourney in 2017. “He was on the mound for the last out of the district final and on the mound for the last out of the substate game. When he got that last out and got up from the dog pile and looked at me and jumped on me, that’s something I’ll never forget.”
Coach Daugherty was asked about the toughest part of coaching your own kid. “Probably knowing when to actually play them. Your son probably has to be better. You can’t play him when he’s just as good as somebody else or you’ll set yourself up for a lot of people being unhappy.”
In speaking with both of them, one thing is clear. Suggestions from Marcus were often presented. They were not always followed. Dan says, “He always had an idea of who should probably be pitching and what the batting order should be. I would listen, but then I’d do what I wanted anyway.”
For the first time in a dozen years neither of them will be in the CAM dugout as a player or coach this summer. Dan admits they were special years spent together and he’ll miss it.
Dan Daugherty:
Marcus Daugherty:
