FIELDER BECOMES YOUNGEST TO HIT 50....HATES HIS FATHER

by Jack Cobra, Cobra Brigade

Last night, Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder became the youngest man (23 years, 159 days) to ever hit 50 home runs in a baseball season. In the process he was able to take some more swipes at his Dad, Cecil Fielder.

Fielder said he wants to hit 52 homers in a season and win the MVP because his father never accomplished either. Doing that, Prince Fielder said, would "shut him up."

"That's why I'm so passionate about playing," Fielder said. "I don't mind them comparing me, but I'm totally a different player. Hopefully one day, whenever they mention my name, they won't have to mention his."

The rumor is that Cecil made some bad business decisions and actually, it's not so much a rumor as is it fact as Cecil followed up bad business decisions with gambling debt. This put the Fielder Family in trouble when it came to their finances and personal relationships and it is something that young Prince has not forgiven his Father for. You can't really blame the guy too much though because it's not Cecil is giving him much reason to forgive and forget.

Cecil has been more outspoken. At a Toronto Blue Jays alumni event in June, Cecil said his son should show him more respect.

"I just don't think my son knows how to let it go," Cecil Fielder said.
"I don't think he's grown up yet. Until he can move on and talk to me like he's my son, we don't need to talk."

Fielder said he wasn't offended by any one particular comment from his father -- but then made it clear that he has been paying attention to his father's public comments.

"You've got to look at who's saying it," Fielder said. "Let's be honest, he's not really the brightest guy."

I remember when Cecil used to play and they would show highlights of Prince taking batting practice at Tiger Stadium with Cecil behind the cage smiling like a proud father. It looks like those days are long gone now.