Baseball rules on Father's Day for Barfield family

This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO -- The White Sox organization holds a special place for Jesse Barfield, even though the accomplished veteran of 12 Major League Baseball seasons never played for the Chicago team.

Barfield’s debut for the Blue Jays came on Sept. 3, 1981, against the White Sox at Comiskey Park, and his first hit also arrived in that same game. Fast forward to the present day, and that connection runs through his son, Josh, who does such an exceptional job as one of the team’s assistant general managers.

“I’m very happy for him. I’m happy he’s here and making an impact,” Jesse Barfield told MLB.com during a recent interview. “It doesn’t surprise me. This kid knows what he’s doing.

“I was telling my wife that I love these young [White Sox] guys, the way they play the game. They play with passion, and they are multi-faceted. They can play almost everywhere on the field. They do the little things well. They have pop too. You can’t go wrong with that.”

Jesse and Josh were pitted against each other on Friday, for the third edition of the East-West Classic, a tribute to the Negro Leagues All-Star Games held from 1933-1962. It took place at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., which is the home city of the White Sox Double-A affiliate.

While Jesse managed Team West, Josh played for Team East. And it’s a good thing Josh did, as he mentioned recently how his two young daughters understand their grandfather played in the big leagues but not their dad.

“My kids don’t believe me that I played,” Josh told MLB.com with a laugh, during that same recent conversation including his dad at Rate Field. “They see the baseball cards of me, and they go, ‘Oh, that’s Papi.’”

“It’s true,” Jesse said. “That is too funny.”

This East-West Classic held a special meaning for the Barfield family. Albert Overton, who was the great uncle of Jesse’s wife and Josh’s mom, Marla, pitched in the Negro Leagues for the Little Rock Grays, the Philadelphia Stars and the Indianapolis/Cincinnati Clowns.

“Once I got to the White Sox, I started to learn about Rickwood,” Josh said. “I had heard about it. Knowing the history, its impact on the game. The Barons play a game there every year, and it’s gotten even more special since I’ve come over here.”

“So, this is great,” Jesse said. “Just to be around these guys and to be a part of this is a thrill for me.”

During his more than decade-long career, Jesse amassed 241 home runs, one Silver Slugger Award, one All-Star appearance and two Gold Gloves, while being on the short list of the all-time-best right field arms. Meanwhile, Josh had the chance to learn about baseball with his dad and watch his heroes in action.

Prince Fielder, John Mayberry Jr., Sean Burroughs and Lance McCullers Jr. are some of the other youngsters who reached the Majors with Josh after growing up at the same time in the game. Josh also got to watch Ken Griffey Jr. and Rickey Henderson, even being there on April 26, 1990, when Griffey’s spectacular catch at Yankee Stadium took a home run away from his dad.

It’s a moment Josh will never forget, along with his dad’s list of accomplishments.

“I wouldn’t be in this situation, whether it’s playing or on this side, if it wasn’t for him,” Josh said. “Not only the coaching and all that help along the way, but also the legacy he left, treating people the right way.

“Not a day goes by where I don’t have somebody in the game talking about how he treated them or what he did for the game. Opened a lot of doors for me.”

White Sox right-hander Tyler Davis worked under Jesse’s tutelage in the Houston area, when Davis was still swinging the bat. He had nothing but high praise for the wisdom imparted by Jesse.

And Jesse feels the same sort of appreciation for what his son has done on the field and in the front office. He shared a story of being with Dave Winfield and watching Josh speak a few years ago, with both of them concluding his son will be a general manager someday.

“He’s right on track,” Jesse said. “He got injured, and unfortunately, he didn’t play as long as he could have. To bring his knowledge and wisdom to the game, and this passion. ... My wife and I said it all the time, he basically raised us. He made parenting easy. He’s cut different. And I love and respect him for that.”

“Yeah, there’s not a day goes by where someone is not telling me how good my dad and my mom are,” Josh said. “I learned from an early age, treat people the right way.”