Some of my fondest memories from childhood aren’t about vacations or gifts — they’re about sitting next to my dad, watching our beloved Detroit Tigers. In those moments, whether in-person with a glove in one hand and a transistor radio in the other, or while watching on a black and white TV, we weren’t just fans. We were father and son, building a bond that would last a lifetime.
My Father’s Life and Passion
My dad, also named Fred Sievert, was a hard-working man of modest means. By day, he worked as an insurance investigator. By night, he pursued his true passion — playing the trumpet with local jazz bands in Detroit nightclubs and even on the famous Bob-lo boat. With two jobs, he didn’t have much free time. But when he did, he spent it with me — often in the backyard playing catch or watching the Tigers or Lions together.
Those simple acts, done with love and consistency, became the foundation of our bond.
Games That Shaped Our Memories
Between 1955 and 1968, Detroit sports gave us plenty to cheer about — and a few heartbreaks too. Here are a couple of games that stand out from those years:
- July 20, 1958: Detroit Tigers vs. Boston Red Sox
I was just 10 years old, watching on our black-and-white TV in Detroit with Dad when Jim Bunning pitched the game of his life at Fenway Park. The Tigers won 3–0, and Bunning threw a masterful no-hitter against the Red Sox. He struck out 12 batters, silencing a Boston lineup that included Ted Williams, Jackie Jensen, and Pete Runnels. Dad leaned over as the innings went by, explaining to me just how rare a no-hitter was. His words heightened my excitement with each out, and when the final batter was retired, we both erupted in joy. Even at 44 years old, my dad was seeing his very first no-hitter. For me, it wasn’t just history being made — it was an unforgettable father-son moment that still lives vividly in my memory. - 1962 Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers
On Thanksgiving Day, the Lions stunned Vince Lombardi’s undefeated Packers with a 26–14 victory. Alex Karras and Roger Brown led a ferocious defense that sacked Bart Starr 11 times. I can still remember my dad shouting with joy — it felt like Detroit had taken down Goliath.
Even when Detroit lost, those moments together felt like victories. The names of Bunning, Williams, Kaline, Karras, and Brown weren’t just heroes on the field — they were the soundtrack of my youth with my father.
Carrying It Forward with My Own Son
Years later, I found myself repeating that same pattern with my son Corey. Like my dad, I worked long hours, but sports gave us a way to connect deeply. I became a season ticket holder over the years for all four Detroit teams — Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, and Pistons. Some of our best father-son conversations happened after games either watched on television or attended in person.
Now Corey is 37, and I see how what my father started with me has become a three-generation tradition of bonding through Detroit sports.
Why It Matters Today
In today’s world, kids face constant pressures — social media, academics, and cultural stresses that didn’t exist in the 1960s. Yet the formula for connection is timeless: find something you both love and make it “your thing.” For me and Dad, it was sports. For Corey and me, it still is.
Fathers and sons: whether it’s tossing a ball in the backyard, watching a game on TV, or attending in person — those small, shared moments can create an unshakable bond.
Tell Us What You Think!
- What’s your favorite sports memory with your dad or your kids?
- If you’re a father today, what traditions are you building and memories are you creating with your children?
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