Dream Come True
(Note: Some of the information below appeared previously in a 2023 Baseball Bench Coach post.)
Last Sunday Darren Baker made his MLB debut for the Nationals in the ninth inning of a game against the Cubs. The Washington pinch hitter stroked a sharp single to centerfield. His famous father, Dusty Baker, who played in the MLB for 19 seasons and managed five different teams, clapped with joy from the stands. The last time we saw these two together was in the 2002 World Series when Darren served as batboy for Dusty’s Giants. Darren almost got run over at home while retrieving a bat. It was a long road for Darren to get to the Nationals last Sunday. He was originally drafted by the Nationals in the 27th round of the 2017 MLB draft. After hitting .285 with 38 stolen bases in AAA this year, he received the September call up. Dusty said: “This is a dream come true for him because it’s what he always wanted to do since he was little.”
That same weekend a second dream came true for another MLB father-son combo. Brandon Leibrandt pitched 2 and 1/3 scoreless innings for the Reds against Oakland. He is the son of Charlie Leibrandt, pitcher for 14 MLB seasons and a member of the Royals’ 1985 world championship team. Brandon’s pathway to the big leagues has been incredibly difficult. Selected in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB draft, Brandon during two separate seasons (2020 and 2022) found himself pitching in the Atlantic League, an independent league a step below minor league baseball. Talk about an endless pursuit of one’s dream.
It's difficult to follow in the baseball footsteps of a father who has achieved much MLB success. Yet, in some instances, the son achieves even greater success. Let’s explore some of the more memorable baseball families:
The Griffeys. Ken Sr. and Jr. are my personal favorites. Ken Griffey Sr. was the table-setter for the greatest lineup that ever played the game. Although he was a three-time NL All-star, a defensive standout, a fleet baserunner, and maintained a lifetime batting average of .296, he is one of the lesser known Reds during that era. Let’s just say that his son more than made up for it in terms of notoriety. Jr. came out of Cincinnati Moeller in 1987 as the U.S. high school player of the year. Drafted first overall by the Seattle Mariners, Ken Griffey Jr. hit the MLB stage in a big way – 22 seasons (played in four different decades); 630 HRs (7th most in history); ten Gold Gloves; 13-time All-Star; and a Hall of Fame first ballot (99.32% of vote). Ken Sr. joined Jr. in Seattle for the 1990 and 1991 seasons, becoming the first father-son to be in the same batting lineup and even hit back-to-back HRs (September 14, 1990). After playing his first 11 years in Seattle, Jr. joined the Reds in 2000 for nine seasons.
Bonds. This is another father-son duo where the son outdid the dad. But boy was Bobby Bonds talented. He was a star outfielder for 14 seasons, mostly with the Giants, and set records for his combination of power hitting and speed. He was the first player in MLB history to have more than two seasons of 30 HRs and 30 stolen bases, doing it five times. Bobby also was the second player in history to achieve 300 HRs and 300 SBs, joining the great Willie Mays. The Pirates drafted his son, Barry, as the sixth overall pick, in 1985. Barry Bonds spent the first seven seasons in Pittsburgh, but made his fame in San Francisco for the next 15 years. Here are just some of the numbers: seven NL MVP awards; most career HRs (762); most HRs in a single season (73 in 2000); 8 Gold Gloves; and a career 514 stolen bases (yes, that same combination of power and speed).
The Alomars. Defense runs in this family. Sandy Alomar Sr. played in 14 MLB seasons (1964-1978) as a defensive wizard. In 1975 he led all major league second basemen in fielding percentage. He also excelled in a dying art – the skill of bunting, one of the best ever in the game. Sr. excelled as an MLB coach for another 24 seasons. He coached the Padres in 1988 when both of his sons landed on the MLB scene. Sandy Alomar Jr. starred in the MLB as a catcher for 20 seasons on 7 different teams (1988-2007), most notably as a Cleveland Indian where he was a 6-time All-Star and a member of two AL pennant winners. Both Sandys though need to step aside for the youngest Alomar, Robbie. Roberto Alomar, in sixteen MLB seasons, is regarded as one of the greatest second basemen ever – 12 time Gold Glover! He ranks near the top in most offensive and defensive categories for all-time second basemen. Robbie was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Bell. One of my Dad’s favorite players was Gus Bell, whose MLB career spanned 15 seasons and four teams (1950-1964), mostly with the Reds. Gus was a versatile outfielder, playing all three positions and wielding a lifetime fielding percentage of .985. A four-time NL All-Star, the left-handed hitter batted .281 lifetime. He also left Cincinnati with a wonderful family lineage. His son, Buddy Bell, starred as a six-time Gold Glove third baseman with the Indians, Rangers, and Reds, for 17 seasons. He compiled a lifetime batting average of .279, very similar to his Dad. Buddy went onto manage three teams, the Tigers, Rockies, and Royals, for 12 seasons. The baseball family tree doen’t stop there. Buddy’s two sons, Mike and David Bell, played in the MLB as well. It’s one of just five families who have had three generations of players in professional baseball. David Bell has served as the Reds’ manager for the past six seasons.
Boone. And here’s another last name filled with generations of players. Ray Boone, who played for 12 seasons with the Cleveland Indians, started the MLB family tree as he debuted in 1948. He was a two-time All-Star and led the AL in RBIs with 116 in 1955. His son, Bob Boone, an All-Star catcher for four seasons, played for the Phillies and Royals (1972-1990). He is also noted for his managerial expertise as he led the Royals and Reds for six seasons. The third generation of Boone’s, Bret and Aaron, also starred on MLB diamonds. Aaron Boone will always go down in Yankees vs. Red Sox history as hitting the walk-off HR in the 11th inning of the 7th game in 2003 for New York. Most recently, Aaron has successfully managed the Pinstripers for seven seasons.
Alou x 3. One of my favorite baseball cards growing up had 3 panels with each of the Alou brothers – Felipe; Matty; Jesus. Felipe Alou is the oldest and most famous of the three. He played in 17 MLB seasons (1958-1974), leading the NL twice in hits and once in runs scored. Felipe was the consummate leadoff batter. In fact, he led off with an HR in 20 games. After his playing career, Alou managed the Expos and Giants for fifteen seasons. He is one of three persons to have 2,000 hits, 200 HRs, and 1,000 managerial wins. Felipe’s son, Moises Alou, starred for several NL teams in a 19-year career. Moises was certainly his own person. He refrained from using batting gloves at the plate, a practice not shared by many modern players. While Moises compiled a .303 lifetime batting average, he is most noted for his involvement in the Bartman incident during Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS.
Iron Men. The Ripkens were “iron men” in different ways. Cal Ripken, Sr. spent 36 years in the Baltimore Orioles system as a minor league player, coach, and manager. His two sons, one in particular, were really good baseball players. Sr. took great pride in that Cal Jr. and Billy played for the Orioles when Sr. coached and for one year managed the team. Cal Ripken, Jr. set all kinds of records in his 21 MLB seasons, all with the Orioles. The first ballot Hall of Famer produced 3,184 hits, was a 19-time All-Star, captured two Gold Gloves, and won the AL MVP award two years (1983, 1991). Of course, he set one record that may never be broken, appearing in 2,632 consecutive MLB games.
There are so many other great family combos in baseball history – the Guerrero’s: Yaz and his grandson Mike; Bobby Witt and today’s superstar, Bobby Witt Jr.; and Cecil and Prince Fielder; to name a few others. I’m sure that each one of them will forever think of their MLB time as a dream come true.
Until next Monday,
your Baseball Bench Coach