Sons of Baseball: Growing Up with a Major League Dad

A rare glimpse of professional ballplayers, not as pitchers, hitters, managers, and coaches, but as dads and grandads.

Sons of major league baseball players grow up in a unique environment, not only because they are raised in part by professional athletes, but also because they are raised by the game itself. They come of age immersed in the distinct sounds and aromas of baseball. The locker rooms, the cinderblock-lined corridors beneath the stands, the dugouts, and the fields are the playgrounds of their youth.

In Sons of Baseball, Mark Braff interviews 18 men who share their exclusive stories, ballpark memories, and the challenges and rewards of having fathers whose talents enabled them to reach the pinnacle of their profession. Each chapter is devoted to one son talking about his experiences, from the poignancy of one son's disclosure that his dad has not been able to acknowledge his son's sexuality as a gay man, to the humor of another son absconding with the groundskeepers' cart in Cleveland.

With a foreword by Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and interviews with the sons of beloved players such as Yogi Berra, Mariano Rivera, Roger Maris, Gil Hodges, and Larry Doby, Sons of Baseball provides a unique, well-rounded perspective on the lives of professional ballplayers and their families.

ISBN-13: 9781538176887

Media Type: Hardcover

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers - Inc.

Publication Date: 05-10-2023

Pages: 240

Product Dimensions: 8.60(w) x 5.70(h) x 1.00(d)

Mark Braff worked for 40+ years as a highly regarded public relations professional, the last 27 as a consultant working under the banner of Braff Communications LLC. Braff began his career as a reporter for the Ridgewood Newspapers in New Jersey. He later joined Madison Square Garden Sports Network as the first member of its in-house public relations team. At USA Network, Braff directed all sports and affiliate public relations initiatives, including support for the network’s live broadcasts of games from Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, college basketball and football, boxing, and a variety of other sports. He resides in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Table of Contents

Contents Acknowledgments Foreword, by Cal Ripken Jr. Introduction Chapter 1. Jerry Hairston & Jerry Hairston Jr. — Following grandpa and dad into the family business Chapter 2. Roger Maris & Kevin Maris — Still teaching lessons from dad Chapter 3. Larry Doby & Larry Doby Jr. — From baseball to Billy Joel Chapter 4. John Wathan & Dusty Wathan — Cup ball and stories from Buck O’Neil Chapter 5. Henry Rodriguez & David Rodriguez — Seeking dad’s acceptance: “All I wanted was a Barbie” Chapter 6. Mariano Rivera & Jafet Rivera — “Come on, Rivera, throw the cutter” Chapter 7. Vada Pinson & Vada Pinson III — Yearning for a father’s love Chapter 8. Yogi Berra & Larry Berra — Fielding fungoes from Mickey Mantle Chapter 9. Dave McNally & Jeff McNally —A national television debut at age seven Chapter 10. Jack Aker & Matt Aker — If it’s Tuesday, this must be Lynchburg Chapter 11. Boog Powell & John W. Powell Jr. — Stealing (and abandoning) the groundskeepers’ cart Chapter 12. Gil Hodges & Gil Hodges Jr. — Embracing the legacy Chapter 13. Tony Pena & Tony Pena Jr. — Poking sleeping players with toothpicks Chapter 14. Jim Bouton & Michael Bouton — Riding upside down to Yankee Stadium Chapter 15. Leo Cardenas & Leo Cardenas Jr. — “I should have made it” Chapter 16. Bobby Richardson & Robby Richardson — Getting past Frank Crosetti, baseball cop Chapter 17. Mike Hargrove & Andy Hargrove — Fishing off Bo Jackson’s lap Chapter 18. Ron Guidry & Brandon Guidry — Handfuls of Bazooka and other stadium fun A Note on Sources About the Author Show More