Kids like to know their dad will sit down and talk with them about their day. Their worries about the day or just about some kid who said something rotten or nice.
You are dead on, OldFriend. This is a very sad story. I can not even imagine getting a big hit in a game, rushing home to tell my father, and discovering he is too busy CUTTING THE LAWN to express interest in my achievement. Pathetic! This guy had a lousy dad and it is no surprise this story sticks with him.
Sadly, the writer is probably pulling the same crap on his own kid. Which is why he now writes the story trying to justify the actions of his father.