Prince Fielder Has 50 Home Runs but Still No Love for His Dad

Last night when Prince Fielder hit his 50th homer, I mentioned that with his 50th bomb, he his dad, Cecil, become he only father son tandem in history to each hit 50 in a season. Of course, I wasn't the only person to realize this and someone mentioned it to Prince. With the recent history between the two, that went about as well as you'd expect.

Fielder said he had no intention of keeping the 50th home run ball, but was hoping for No. 52.

"My dad had 51 (as a season high)," Fielder said. "Then, he can't say anything."

Fielder was not happy about comments his father made in a magazine article earlier in the year, claiming his son never would have been a first-round draft pick if he hadn't paved the way. The two haven't spoken for years and that rift apparently has widened.

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"That's why I'm so passionate about playing. I don't mind people comparing me to him but I'm a completely different player. One day I want people to mention my name and not have to mention his."

As for the recent comments from his father, Fielder said, "You've got to look at who's saying it. Let's be honest. He's not really the brightest guy."

What a grudge! Prince is 23, has 50 homers, and may well be the National League MVP this year and all he's worried about is that people think the only reason he ever got a shot was because of his dad. Who cares why? No one ever begrudged Mike Piazza for being a family friend of Tommy Lasorda. Prince needs to realize that the only reason people compare him to his dad is because people liked Cecil and now they like Prince. It's not a bad thing.