If you listen to sports talk shows amid the odd criticisms and weird proposed trades, the biggest takeaway is that fans who care enough to call, learned the love of the game from their fathers.
At the risk of making this too personal, my two brothers and I learned the game from our father, who was not skilled enough to play beyond his youth. My father worked as a bartender, or mixologist when he was trying to impress someone, at night. I can remember a Thursday afternoon, ignoring my parents orders by cutting through the woods between my elementary school and home to make it home in time to watch Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman, Bill Mazeroski hit the famous home run that upended the hated New York Yankees in the 1960 World Series. I can see my father dressed for work that night glued to the black and white box television in our living room.
As an adult I've been able to get an intimate look behind the scenes and see how professional baseball families hand down the game to the next generation. The experience of the baseball loving fan may not be as intense as the professional but the feeling for the game is a carbon copy.
Ryan Weathers was of those tender years as he was a frequent guest in the Reds clubhouse, waiting for his father 19-year veteran David Weathers to finish his work, so he could "pitch" to young Ryan in the outfield or play catch at Great American Ball Park.
Young Weathers was "as respectful and polite a young man as you would ever want to know," according to Joey Votto, his father's teammate.
 |
| http://www.wiedemannbeer.com/ |
Weathers will report to the Arizona facility of the Padres in Peoria, Arizona and will forego a full scholarship to pitch for Vanderbilt University in the SEC.
Thoughts go back to the days not long ago when Ryan spent quality time with his father and was the defacto ward of longtime Reds' clubhouse head, Rick Stowe.
"Ryan and Darren Baker were always in the batting cage," Stowe said recently.
It was a pleasant duty for Stowe, who has formed a bond with Dusty Baker, then the Reds'
manager and Darren's proud father. Darren is the starting second baseman for the University of California, having turned down a chance to sign with the Washington Nationals after the draft last year.
"My memories are of Ryan and I hitting in the cages, his dad would hit fly balls to us in the outfield, we'd go out and shag during BP, play catch,throw etc," Darren Baker said. "We enjoyed hanging out in the clubhouse. It was a fun and a special time to be able to hang out at the ballpark daily, we were very blessed to have the opportunity. All the Reds players were kind and gave us advice on different aspects of the game. We learned a lot over the years by just watching the players go about their prep work before games, how they take care of their bodies. It personally has been amazing to be able to sit in many dugouts over the years during games as well."It was a unique opportunity that stayed with the young men and forged lasting friendships.
"Ryan and I were so young, but the exposure and experience at the ballpark ingrained the foundation for solid work ethic and a deeper love for the game. We both understand the dedication needed to make it to the big leagues one day. My dad stays in touch with Rick Stowe to this day," young Baker said.
Dusty Baker, who managed the Reds from 2008-2013, remembers the duo playing together. David Weathers pitched for the Reds while Baker managed the team in 2008 -2009.
"I do remember Ryan and Darren throwing," Dusty Baker said. "Ryan has always been stronger and bigger than most kids his age. I had heard of his progress over the years with travel ball. I didn't know he had progressed to be drafted high. I'm not surprised because I know David has worked with him and Ryan was always with his dad. I know Ryan is an outstanding, hard working young man because in part to his parents being great people. I'm proud of Ryan and happy for his family."
While Darren Baker took a different path, opting for a college education and a slightly different development path in the baseball world, the thought that he put into it shows the maturity level the envy of many young men his age.
"I was surprised when Washington picked me. I decided on a different path early on, I may have gone higher in the draft, but it was best for me to develop in college," Baker said. "I've loved the whole college experience thus far. It's comforting to know I have a Cal education to fall back on. Cal just fell short of making the tournament but we will work harder to make it next year. I've learned that I must continue to work hard and stay focused. The Pac 12 conference is very competitive."
Baker is proud of his youthful friend.
"I am so happy for Ryan and his family," Baker said. "He has worked very hard and deserves all that is coming his way. I last saw Ryan and his family in 2016 at the Area Code Games. It was there that I heard he was a top pitching prospect. I wish Ryan nothing but the best."
His father, Dusty Baker, made a different choice for his development. He was a relatively low draft choice, (26th round) in 1967.
He appeared in his first Major League game on September 7 against the Houston Astros at the age of 19, the age Ryan Weathers will reach on November 6. Dusty Baker, who got his first hit off Houston pitcher Mike Cuellar on September 17, 1968, played 19 years in the Major Leagues and managed the San Francisco Giants, the Chicago Cubs, the Reds and the Nationals another 22 seasons.
Baker sees his son making his own way in the game and the world even though Darren's experiences have been enhanced by virtue of his father's occupation.
"I don't know if Darren is really following in my footsteps. I'd like to think he is making his own footsteps," Dusty Baker said. "My career and job made it possible for him to learn from the best and emulate being around great players."
Dusty Baker sees how the game has changed and sees how some of his experiences differ in the modern game.
"My perspective about the game has changed, but the way the game should be played hasn't changed. Therefore, I'm unsure about the the way the game is being played now."
The love of baseball is handed down from father to son, whether you are a fan or participant on the professional level. That is one thing that hopefully, never changes.
No comments:
Post a Comment