As father – son baseball moments go, we have one that may stand the test of time, ranking right up there with Kevin Costner as the fictional Ray Kinsella, playing catch with his ghostly father with a backdrop of an Iowa cornfield in the final scene of Field of Dreams.
For me, a Dad who has played ball with both of my kids, son and daughter, it was one of those “goose pimple” events. Yankee star second baseman Robinson Cano, winning the All Star Home Run Derby, with his father and mentor Jose as his pitcher.
It was compelling television. Jose was stoic and unsmiling as he threw the batting practice tosses to his son, and didn’t even crack a smile until he knew that Cano would grab the title of “home run king” for the night.
The outcome never seemed to be in doubt. In the final round, Cano hit a home run with most of the pitches his Dad threw to him. In retrospect, it looked like they had been doing it forever. And they probably have.
Once victory was secure, the only thing left was a bear hug between a father and his boy.
In a night full of baseballs launched out of the park, majestic moonshots landing in second and third decks, Robinson had the most majestic of all, a couple of balls measured beyond 470 feet.
In an interview after the competition, the younger Cano did not reference his upper body strength, sense of balance, or his perfectly Ruthian swing as the factors for his stratospheric display. Instead, he gave credit where he thought it was due.
“It was my dad.”
Cano said he wished the trophy could be cut in half — half for him, half for his dad.
“These are the things you share with your family, when you retire you can look back and say, ‘Wow, I was good in the day’,” Cano said. “This is something I’m always going to have in my mind and my heart.”
A committed father rarely understands the importance of his role. The statistics bear out that having a father at home shuts down that greater risk of having major challenges in life while growing up.
On the flip side, I think having a Dad like Jose Cano can not only keep a kid out of trouble, but also accelerate any success that child might experience. And once you get momentum…
Jose was a professional athlete himself, who took the time to teach his son the finer points of the game, and obviously, the skills required to live a life of success within the sport he loves.
An old school guy, who puts family first and his needs and wants on the back burner if necessary.
Thanks to Jose and Robinson for showing us real must see TV for families. In a time where most television is reality garbage, this baseball event was one for the ages.
Joe DeGiorgio 
I found this post and really enjoyed it. I love baseball and have a 3 year old son that loves the game as well. There aren’t many better ways to spend time together than at a game.
Hi Joe, Great read – I like that …”Half for him, half for his dad and this – Once victory was secure, the only thing left was a bear hug between a father and his boy”. As a father, I Think that’s Beautiful
Thanks Joe
Thanks, Lloyd. It was a great moment. This is when baseball transcends sport, and becomes plain ol’ life
My son is 10.5 and has refused to play baseball. It has killed me but I have made a point not to push. If he decides that he wants to play later on he will. But I admit that I still dream of having moments like those two guys did…simply awesome.
I’m lucky I guess, Jack. My son loves the game, and always wants to play. We’ve had some dramatic games in Little League already, so when I see events like what Cano and his father did, it raises my appreciation for baseball. And sports in general..
I’m not a Yankee’s fan (anything but), however everyone can enjoy the moment between a father and his son. I can’t tell you what it would mean to me to have my dad back to have a ‘catch’ let alone have him pitch to me in the Home Run Derby and win it. Way to capture the emotion of the moment and not from the homeruns.
Great comment. That’s one reason I play catch with my son as often as I can. The opportunities pass by very quickly. And no need to be a Yankee fan to appreciate what the Cano father and son team did. Just being a baseball fan will do…
I didn’t catch this on T, Joe, so thanks for the recap. Can you imagine the emotions running through them especially when they connected with that huge bear hug.
We might not all get to share the exact same experience with our kids…but we still get to celebrate with them for other wins in life..and just out of love in general.
Thanks for sharing!
Great way to look at it, Jk. An event like this reinforces that we have to celebrate the victories we have with our kids, no matter what form they take. Thanks for the comment!
Great post Joe. Couldn’t agree more. What a great father/son moment in sports. I am a sports nut too and it was really something watching that last night. I found myself pulling for Cano to win and I hate the Yankees ! Ha ! Thanks again.
You are right on about all the “Reality tv” GARBAGE. It is mind blowing, that people actually watch that BS. Take care.
Al
Sorry you hate the Yankees, Al. I’m hoping with the rapid changing medical technology that someday there’s a cure for that…
Thank you for the comment!