GaryMrMets
06-16-2002, 02:29 PM
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tor/news/tor_news.jsp?ymd=20020611&content_id=50510&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp
06/11/2002 9:25 pm ET
Father's Day: Very special for Tosca
By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
Carlos Tosca, a proud father of three, recently took some time out to chat about Father's Day with MLB.com. He also spoke a little bit about his childhood. When he was 8, Tosca came to the United States from Cuba, but his father had to stay behind. He didn't get to see his dad for nine years. Reflecting on that part of his life and looking toward the future, Tosca shared his perspective and left an open message for his family.
MLB.com: What does this day mean to you?
Tosca: First of all, I've got a very special father, so it means a lot to me in that regard. Although I spent some time away from him, we're very close now. He's a mentor to me. I have a strong relationship with all three of my children. It's always fun to see the types of gifts that they give me. Whether it's creative or emotional, I'm always taken aback by the presents they give.
MLB.com: How do you think the time away from your father affected you, as a person?
Tosca: Obviously, there are the emotional scars, and not having a dad to watch you play Little League and all that stuff, which goes without saying. I don't want to diminish that. But I have a 12-year-old son -- from the time he's been 8 until this time, up until the time he's 17, I've got no resource to go on. I don't know how my dad would've handled some of the situations that come up, so I just shoot from the hip on those things. I think that's probably the biggest drawback. There wasn't anybody there, where I can say, 'I remember my dad doing this.'
MLB.com: Was this a tough day for you as a kid? Did you feel that absence more acutely?
Tosca: We felt that every day. Obviously, it was brought to light more on that particular day, but we felt the same thing around Christmas time and Thanksgiving.
MLB.com: Since you've become a dad, what do you enjoy most about this day?
Tosca: All the things I mentioned before. Just to see the way my kids react to the holiday, their creativity and the things they bring forth. It gives them an opportunity, not that they don't already, to show their affection towards me.
MLB.com: If you were at home, what would a typical Father's Day be like for you and your family?
Tosca: We would probably wake up at the same time. Somebody, whether it be my wife, one of my daughters or myself, would probably make a nice big omelette. We'd sit around the pool, read the paper, go swimming. Later on in the afternoon, we'd probably have a barbecue. And then we'd probably watch a baseball game that night.
MLB.com: And when was the last time you got to spend a day like that?
Tosca: It had to be back when I was in Rookie ball, where we had Sundays off. Honestly, I can't remember.
MLB.com: Is that the hardest thing part being involved with baseball?
Tosca: It's one of them. The constant, day-to-day not seeing them, is hard. That's always difficult for me. On special occasions like that, it's especially difficult. Usually, they'll all be at my dad's house. My brother's there with his family and my sister's there with her family. That hurts sometimes.
MLB.com: For Father's Day, if you could leave an open message to your family, what would it be?
Tosca: That I love them, and that I'm fortunate to have three beautiful children who are going to be productive members of society.
Spencer Fordin covers the Blue Jays for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2002/06/11/Ji2KZ6cx.jpg
Carlos Tosca appreciates Father's Day and his children, although he won't get to spend it with them this year. (Aaron Harris/AP)
06/11/2002 9:25 pm ET
Father's Day: Very special for Tosca
By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
Carlos Tosca, a proud father of three, recently took some time out to chat about Father's Day with MLB.com. He also spoke a little bit about his childhood. When he was 8, Tosca came to the United States from Cuba, but his father had to stay behind. He didn't get to see his dad for nine years. Reflecting on that part of his life and looking toward the future, Tosca shared his perspective and left an open message for his family.
MLB.com: What does this day mean to you?
Tosca: First of all, I've got a very special father, so it means a lot to me in that regard. Although I spent some time away from him, we're very close now. He's a mentor to me. I have a strong relationship with all three of my children. It's always fun to see the types of gifts that they give me. Whether it's creative or emotional, I'm always taken aback by the presents they give.
MLB.com: How do you think the time away from your father affected you, as a person?
Tosca: Obviously, there are the emotional scars, and not having a dad to watch you play Little League and all that stuff, which goes without saying. I don't want to diminish that. But I have a 12-year-old son -- from the time he's been 8 until this time, up until the time he's 17, I've got no resource to go on. I don't know how my dad would've handled some of the situations that come up, so I just shoot from the hip on those things. I think that's probably the biggest drawback. There wasn't anybody there, where I can say, 'I remember my dad doing this.'
MLB.com: Was this a tough day for you as a kid? Did you feel that absence more acutely?
Tosca: We felt that every day. Obviously, it was brought to light more on that particular day, but we felt the same thing around Christmas time and Thanksgiving.
MLB.com: Since you've become a dad, what do you enjoy most about this day?
Tosca: All the things I mentioned before. Just to see the way my kids react to the holiday, their creativity and the things they bring forth. It gives them an opportunity, not that they don't already, to show their affection towards me.
MLB.com: If you were at home, what would a typical Father's Day be like for you and your family?
Tosca: We would probably wake up at the same time. Somebody, whether it be my wife, one of my daughters or myself, would probably make a nice big omelette. We'd sit around the pool, read the paper, go swimming. Later on in the afternoon, we'd probably have a barbecue. And then we'd probably watch a baseball game that night.
MLB.com: And when was the last time you got to spend a day like that?
Tosca: It had to be back when I was in Rookie ball, where we had Sundays off. Honestly, I can't remember.
MLB.com: Is that the hardest thing part being involved with baseball?
Tosca: It's one of them. The constant, day-to-day not seeing them, is hard. That's always difficult for me. On special occasions like that, it's especially difficult. Usually, they'll all be at my dad's house. My brother's there with his family and my sister's there with her family. That hurts sometimes.
MLB.com: For Father's Day, if you could leave an open message to your family, what would it be?
Tosca: That I love them, and that I'm fortunate to have three beautiful children who are going to be productive members of society.
Spencer Fordin covers the Blue Jays for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2002/06/11/Ji2KZ6cx.jpg
Carlos Tosca appreciates Father's Day and his children, although he won't get to spend it with them this year. (Aaron Harris/AP)