When I saw my mother’s number come up on my phone last Monday shortly after 8 a.m., I knew why she was calling. I had been expecting the call for a few weeks.
My father, Bill Costello, had died.
It is funny what you think about when you lose someone. For me, among many thoughts, I started to think about the U.S. Open being in New York this week and how for most of my life I would either have watched the weekend golf with him or at least discussed it.
Sports were our bond.
My father was not one to say “I love you” all the time. Instead, our love was expressed in games of catch, shooting hoops, going to games or debating sports.
I tweeted something this week after he passed about our shared love of sports. It resonated with people more than I expected. But I guess it should not surprise me. For so many of us, sports bring us together and are the way many of us communicate with our dads.
My father would have been 85 on Thursday. He had a tough childhood, losing his mother when he was 10 then being abandoned by his father. Aunts and uncles in The Bronx raised him. He never spoke about the tough times when he was growing up.
We talked about baseball.
He grew up in the golden age of New York baseball. He would tell me about doubleheaders, paying a quarter to go to games and how he would make trips to all three ballparks at the time — Yankee Stadium, the Polo Ground and Ebbets Field.
I learned about all of the great players of the era and the teams he cherished. He was never really a fan of one team, but he loved the game and he passed that on to me. I was the only kid at Jefferson Township Middle School in 1988 who knew that Carl Furillo was the right fielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers and was nicknamed “The Reading Rifle.”
As a sportswriter, I have interviewed hundreds of athletes. Talking to today’s stars never really fazes me, but talking to Willie Mays or Bobby Thomson or Yogi Berra always gave me pause, because I thought about my dad. I’m not sure he could ever really wrap his head around the fact that I was getting paid to talk to his heroes.
As I got older, he began to take me to games, and not just baseball. My first football game was Jets-Colts in 1984 at Giants Stadium. It has to be one of the worst games ever played. The Colts won, 9-5, in a game that featured four field goals and a safety. The Jets had 143 total yards. It was a miserable game, but we stayed until the end. Years later, I became the Jets beat writer for The Post, something that gave my father so much pride.
In the mid-80s, I fell in love with the Mets. My father would take me to Shea Stadium a few times a year, even though he loathed the trip from Jersey to Queens. Along the way, my vocabulary always expanded by a few four-letter words. I was surprised years later to learn that the proper name was just the Triboro Bridge and the not the God D— Triboro Bridge. But he dealt with traffic, the cost of parking and my desire to always stay through the ninth inning, because that is what dads do.
On Sunday, I will be thinking of my dad as I watch the U.S. Open. He loved to watch golf, and I would always join him for the majors. The U.S. Open always felt special when it fell on Father’s Day, like it does this year.
My father suffered from dementia over the past few years, so it has been a while since we were able to watch sports together or have a conversation about sports. It was one of the most difficult aspects of his illness for me, and it is what I will most about my father now that he is gone.
I will be watching the final round with my own son on Sunday, and I’ll be sure to tell him a few stories about his grandfather. My dad would have liked that.
Errol Spence Jr. keeps title with 11th straight KO Fighting in front of a home crowd at the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility, Errol Spence Jr. stopped Carlos Ocampo in the first round to improve to 24-0 with his 11th straight knockout and 21st overall.
Jose Mourinho says Paul Pogba should not be given France's winner against Australia
Paul Pogba was credited with France's winning goal, his 10th for his country
Jose Mourinho said Paul Pogba should not have been given France's winner against Australia - but praised the midfielder's desire to help seal a winning start for his country.
Pogba's best position for Manchester United was often debated during an inconsistent Premier League season for the 25-year-old, but speaking to Russia Today his club boss Mourinho applauded his role as a "box-to-box" midfielder in the goal, which sealed a 2-1 win for France.
"For me, it's not about the goal. I think it's an own goal, but it's the action," he said. "It's the determination of making it happen.
"The majority of French players were too comfortable or not wanting to risk too much, or not confident enough to make things happen. [Kylian] Mbappe didn't have a great game, nor Ousmane Dembele or Antoine Griezmann.
"The midfield were very positional, Paul didn't interfere a lot in the game, but then - this action is the action of a No 8.
Mourinho signed Pogba for Manchester United in August 2016
"That's what people used to call the box-to-box midfielders. And in this case, that was the action of an attacking part of box-to-box. It's a pity it wasn't a clean shot to make it a brilliant goal, but it got them the three points."
Mourinho had no issue with Didier Deschamps' team selection, but added it had failed to realise its potential as they stuttered to victory over a side who had been taken to extra-time by Syria in qualifying.
"I liked the way France approached the game - I like three attacking players with freedom, Mbappe, Griezmann and Dembele, without a clear No 9 but it didn't work very well.
"Australia were comfortable without the ball, but they had time to play and try to come to the final third in possession. The France midfield were not strong enough in terms of pressing.
"I think the main idea of every team in the three days so far has been not to press. Every team has been defensively compact, defensively organised, but we haven't see a pressing team."
World Cup day three in a nutshell: Penalties, Maradona and VAR on a bumper day of games
Hannes Halldorsson saves Lionel Messi's penalty as Iceland draw with Argentina
From VAR controversy to an Argentina legend bending the rules and more penalties than you can shake a stick at, we round up the talking points from day three at the World Cup.
Each day during the tournament, we will be pulling together all the big stories and best reaction right here in a nutshell, so you do not miss a thing.
Here are the highlights from day three at the World Cup...
The reports
France 2-1 Australia
Among the tournament favourites, France stuttered to victory against an Australia side who did more than just stifle their opponents, and could have taken the lead before half-time.
They eventually fell behind to an Antoine Griezmann penalty, awarded thanks to VAR, before equalising from the spot through Mile Jedinak after Samuel Umtiti handled in a moment of madness.
But his blushes would be spared late on when Paul Pogba's shot struck defender Aziz Behich and looped over Matt Ryan to seal three points.
Argentina 1-1 Iceland
Argentina were not so lucky as to avoid a disappointing opening result, as Lionel Messi's missed penalty cost them victory against debutants Iceland.
Sergio Aguero's shot on the turn put his country ahead early on, but within four minutes they were pegged back when Alfred Finnbogason tapped in after a save from Willy Caballero.
Messi stepped up from the spot when Maximiliano Meza was fouled by Hordur Magnusson, but Hannes Halldorsson guessed the right way to keep out his penalty kick.
Peru 0-1 Denmark
Another tale of a missed spot-kick would cost Peru, in their first finals since 1982 and vastly outnumbering their opposite numbers in the stands in Mordovia.
The South Americans were handed the second spot-kick from a VAR review of the tournament, but Christian Cueva blasted over from 12 yards, and later left the pitch in tears at half-time.
His misery was compounded when Yussuf Poulsen, who had given away the penalty, finished off Christian Eriksen's slide-rule pass at the near post for the only goal of the game, despite long spells of Peru pressure.
Croatia 2-0 Nigeria
A surprisingly insipid Nigeria performance was punished by Croatia as an own goal and a Luka Modric penalty took the eastern Europeans top of Group D.
Having taken the lead after 32 minutes when Oghenekaro Etebo, who has just signed for Stoke, was struck by the ball from a corner and diverted it into his own goal, Croatia cruised to victory with little fight from their opposition.
When Mario Mandzukic was bundled over in the area after the break, Modric's penalty sealed victory.
Moment of the day
Messi had a lot to live up to less than 24 hours after Cristiano Ronaldo single-handedly led Portugal to a 3-3 draw with Spain - but he could not do it.
The Barcelona forward, and five-time Ballon d'Or winner, fluffed his lines from 12 yards when a goal would probably have given Argentina victory.
Messi has now missed 17 of the 88 penalties he has taken in his career, but few will be more frustrating than Saturday's saved effort.
There was similar, if not worse disappointment for Peru's Cueva, who had to be consoled by his team-mates at half-time when the emotion of his missed penalty against Denmark became all too much.
On a brighter note, Finnbogason's goal was Iceland's first at the World Cup, in their first match, with their first shot on target. For a nation with a population less than that of Argentina capital Buenos Aires, it was a joy to behold and one their fans will never forget.
The key quotes
"I hoped that maybe one time there would be a very honest referee, and in that moment, that he wouldn't go to the video screen."I saw him standing there. The body language was that he didn't know, from my position." Australia coach Bert van Marwijk after their loss to France
"I looked at a lot of penalties from Messi and I also looked at how I've been behaving during the last couple of penalties."I tried to get in their minds, so they'd be thinking about me. I had a good feeling he'd go this way today." Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson on his save
"He kept looking and he wanted Argentina to win, whatever the analysis of any performance says. I am happy because I know that Leo's commitment to getting us into the next round is still there." Jorge Sampaoli defends Lionel Messi after his penalty miss
Stat of the day
5 - There have now been five penalties taken in the World Cup today (June 16th 2018); the last single day to see more in the competition was June 24th 1998. Spot.#CRONGA #NGA #CRO #WorldCup — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 16, 2018
Tweet of the day
This tweet about referee Bakary Gassama got a few on Twitter chuckling on the back of his strong performance refereeing Denmark's win over Peru...
Timely reminder that absolutely nobody tells referee Bakary Gassama what to do. pic.twitter.com/AL3gETJG52 — Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) June 16, 2018
What were England up to?
Fabian Delph cast aside any suggestion England might be getting too cosy and friendly ahead of their first game with Tunisia on Monday.
Delph revealed the starting line-up for the Group G opener has already been revealed by manager Gareth Southgate to his players, but denied there was any chance of complacency among him or his team-mates.
Much has been spoken about the unity among the England squad - although Delph said he and his team-mates had no issue "digging each other out" if needed.
He said: "Nothing's ever personal, that's what I've found with this squad. As long as it's constructive criticism, people take it on the chin.
Hannes Halldorsson saves Lionel Messi's penalty as Iceland draw with Argentina Hannes Halldorsson saves Lionel Messi's penalty as Iceland draw with Argentina
"We've worked on various different systems with various personnel.
"The team's not guaranteed, there could be changes. But from the set-up that we've done, it's pretty clear who's going to be starting."
On Sunday, Gareth Southgate and his squad will head to Volgograd, the location of their game with Tunisia, and could be met with temperatures eclipsing 30°C if the early weeks of June are anything to go by.
In the news
Germany boss Joachim Low said he has no concerns over the fitness of Manuel Neuer or Mesut Ozil in the build-up to the World Cup holders' opening game with Mexico on Sunday.
Neuer has missed most of the season with a foot injury, but is in line to begin the World Cup as Germany's No 1, having already started their final warm-up game with Saudi Arabia last week.
Maradona was pictured in the stands during Argentina's draw with Iceland
Mohamed Salah was handed a birthday cake by the hotel the Egypt squad stayed in after their 1-0 defeat to Uruguay on Friday.
Having endured a miserable birthday, missing that game as he continues his recovery from injury and watching his side fall to a last-gasp defeat, Salah enjoyed a better day on Saturday, with Egypt boss Ihab Leheta confirming he would be ready to play in Tuesday's do-or-die second game with Russia.
He said: "Salah participated in training with his team-mates for the entire session and he is ready to play against Russia according to technical staff."
Eight people were injured when a taxi drove into pedestrians not far from the famous Red Square area in Moscow.
Amid heightened security across Russia for the World Cup, the driver of the taxi was detained but claimed the incident was unintentional, after he lost control of the vehicle.
Moscow next plays host to Germany v Mexico, at 4pm UK time on Sunday.
And finally...
Never one to play by the rules, Argentina legend Diego Maradona was all smiles when he appeared in the stands for the draw with Iceland.
Fabian Delph provides an insight into the competitive nature of England training
The 57-year-old, who coached his country at the World Cup eight years ago, soon made himself comfortable, lighting up a cigar in full view of the crowd.
Whether or not Maradona was forced to put it out is unconfirmed, but there's no smoke without fire...
Who plays on Sunday?
Costa Rica v Serbia (Group E) - Samara, 1pm
Germany v Mexico (Group F) - Moscow (Luzhniki), 4pm
Brazil v Switzerland (Group E) - Rostov-on-Don, 7pm
