June 18, 200620 yr Growing up in Tennessee, Dan Uggla was always an athletic kid who tried to play as many sports as he could. No matter what it was that Uggla was interested in at the time, though, his father was always there to back him up, no matter what. "He's a great father," Uggla said of his dad, John. "He always supported me whatever I wanted to do." While Uggla played many sports growing up, baseball was where he showed the most ability, and he was constantly encouraged to build on that talent. With the support of his parents, Uggla found success in high school baseball, as well as in college at Memphis before being drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2001. Uggla said that while there aren't any specific baseball memories of his father that stand out, he recalls that his father was a constant presence at all of his events. "He always came to all my games and was always there for me," Uggla said. The dedication and support has paid off, as Uggla has emerged as one of the breakout players on a young Marlins team. Even now, with his busy schedule playing for the Marlins, Uggla is still in contact with his dad, who still lives in Uggla's hometown of Columbia, Tenn., several times a week just to chat or get some advice. "I still talk to him probably three or four times a week," Uggla said. When asked if he had any message he'd like to send out to his dad on Father's Day, Uggla kept it simple. "I'd just tell him, 'Thanks for everything, and I love you.'" ................................................................... What a great story this guy is....2-2, RBI today so far also. Here's to an all star bid and ROY!
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