June 20, 1993|By Jean Marbella | Jean Marbella,Staff Writer
"That was the time of our lives," says Mrs. Buford, herself a law school graduate who now runs a public relations firm. "That was home. We wives would go to the ballpark wearing pantyhose and gloves. We'd play tennis with Alice Hoffberger [the wife of the team owner at the time] at Goucher. We were truly a family. And I think that tradition is still there."
It's certainly alive in her husband and son. Don has no doubt Damon will have a major-league career -- whether that's the father or the manager or both talking is hard to tell. Yet it's obvious he's just as proud of his son, the doctor, and his other son, the lawyer.
"I just really have tried to encourage all three of them, and be in their corners," Don says. "I always told them that whatever they do, they have to dedicate themselves."
THE DON BUFORD FILE
Born: Feb. 2, 1937.
Home: Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Marital status: Married almost 32 years to Alescia Buford, owner of a public relations firm.
Children: Don Jr., 27, a medical resident; Daryl, 26, a law school graduate; Damon, 23, Orioles rookie.
On fatherhood: "I think there are adjustments you have to make. I don't care if you have a 9-to-5 job, you still have to find time to be with your children. When the baseball season was over, I was home. In sports, we called that the 'honeydew' season." (As in, "Honey, do this, honey, do that.") Born: June 12, 1970.
Home: Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Marital status: Single.
Collects: Hats (sports teams) and compact discs (hip-hop music).
On where he is today: "It's all thanks to my Mom and Dad. There are times when you're young, it seems like they're nagging you, but look where it's got us now. They're just great parents."
