On this Father's Day, as we celebrate the love and dedication of fathers everywhere, the baseball world also pays tribute to fatherhood and what it has meant in the lives of big league ballplayers and their families.
Whether it's the fond memories of a father who sparked a love for the game that led to a Major League career, or a ballplayer who has recently become a father himself, the many stories of these cherished relationships remind us of how special this day is.
Here are some touching and heartwarming Father's Day stories from around baseball:
'He's the reason why I play'
Jac Caglianone, the No. 10 prospect in the game per MLB Pipeline, made his highly-anticipated MLB debut on June 3, less than a year after he was chosen sixth overall in the 2024 Draft by the Royals. His inspiration and motivation for reaching such heights? His dad.
Through all that craziness, Caglianone has relied on his family’s support, and no one more than his dad, Jeff Caglianone, whom Jac says is the reason he ever picked up a baseball in the first place.
"He’s the reason why I play," Caglianone said. "He taught me the game. We’d wake up every morning before school and watch 'Quick Pitch' on TV." More >
'I think we might have the most kids in the big leagues'
Kids playing in the clubhouse isn't an uncommon sight in the Major Leagues. But when it comes to the Phillies, the scene looks more like a daycare center. The Phightin' Phils know a thing or two about Phatherhood.
"I think we might have the most kids in the big leagues," joked Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, who will fittingly get the start on Father's Day after recently returning from the paternity list.
Wheeler and his wife, Dominique, helped add to that potential league-leading total when they welcomed their fourth child, Goldie, on June 2.
If you're keeping track so far, that's four Wheeler children, soon-to-be four Harpers and soon-to-be two Stotts. Now, toss in four for J.T. Realmuto; three apiece for Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos; two each for Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suárez, Johan Rojas and Taijuan Walker; and one for Aaron Nola, Matt Strahm, Cristopher Sánchez, Edmundo Sosa and Weston Wilson. More >
A generational superstar on the field, but at home? He's just Dad, and he loves it
Mike Trout is among the most decorated baseball players in history. Over the past several years, he's been hampered by various injuries that have kept him off the field. But his struggles to stay in the lineup and even a bad day at work melt away when he gets home to his two boys.
“This game can drive you crazy sometimes," Trout said. "But it doesn’t matter if you have a good road trip, bad road trip, or good game, bad game. You get home and you're wrestling on the bed or playing football or doing a puzzle. [Beckham] is into drawing and coloring now. There's nothing compared to that. And I think it's good for me too, as well, because it kind of brings me back to my younger days and things that I was interested in. It’s been fun.” More >
'He's been my coach through it all'
Marcelo Mayer, the No. 2 prospect in the Red Sox system (and No. 8 overall, according to MLB Pipeline), made his Major League debut on May 24, and upon being informed he had been called up to the Majors, his first phone call was to the only coach he's ever known -- his dad.
"He just knows the game so well," Marcelo Mayer said of his dad. "And he knows me so well. I think the best coach is someone that knows you the best and someone who has been around you the most. The trust that I have with him is unmatched.” More >
A piece of freedom
J.P. Crawford has experienced personal growth in his leadership on the field for the Mariners. And he can draw a connection between that and becoming a father, an experience that has given him a new perspective.
"[My daughter] is always on my mind," J.P. said, as he prepares to celebrate his first Father’s Day as a dad. "And I think that's given me a piece out here -- a piece of freedom. Just go out and play. You're a dad now. And that's really, in a sense, all that matters.” More >
Why Falter won't falter: Dad
Bailey Falter's dad was the one who encouraged his love of baseball and pushed him toward his dream of reaching the big leagues. Now that that's happened, Bailey still leans on his father for advice.
“He always saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself," Falter said. "I didn’t really realize it until I was a junior in high school when I was like, 'I might be able to play this game as my first ever job.' So far, so good. It’s been going well and it’s all hats off to him.” More >
A different kind of love
Matt Chapman is celebrating his first Father's Day this year after the birth of his daughter, Gia, last September. While he won't be on the field on Sunday, it will nonetheless be a very special day.
The most surprising part of being a parent so far?
“I guess just how much you can just love another person," Chapman said. "It’s a different kind of love. Everybody tells you, but every day that goes by, you just love them more. She makes me very happy, and I just love to watch her enjoy life. That’s probably the best part.” More >
Mendoza's inspiration? His boys
Carlos Mendoza is in his second season as manager of the Mets. And where he goes, so go his two boys, Adrian and Andres. They not only learn from him, but he also draws his inspiration from them.
Since Mendoza became manager two offseasons ago, his children have been his shadow. They hang around the complex during Spring Training, fielding fungoes from their father after team workouts. They attend almost every home game during the regular season and sometimes show up on the road, shagging fly balls in the outfield and hanging around the clubhouse.
In a job that demands constant time, stress and attention, Mendoza has kept his sons close enough to maintain his duties as a father.
Asked what having them around means to him, Mendoza replied: "Everything." More >