GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Coming into Spring Training as a non-roster invitee is nothing new for Indians reliever Tyler Clippard, who went through the process last spring with the Blue Jays. But his motivation this season stems from something completely new.

While many free agents can start to feel eager once the calendar creeps into February and they wait to be signed, Clippard’s mind was focused elsewhere. The 34-year-old was about to become a father.

“Just thinking about when it was coming to [his wife Brittany's] due date, ‘We’re going to have a kid at this time next week,’” Clippard said. “It just doesn’t seem real until it’s really real, right? So, it’s like, yeah you know, it’s coming, she’s pregnant, but it’s not real until you see him, and then it’s like, ‘Oh my God.’”

The baby’s due date had already passed. With each day that went by, the couple got closer to Valentine’s Day, which is also Clippard’s birthday, with no signs of the baby.

“I wanted [the baby’s birthday] to be separate just because I wanted him to have his own day,” Clippard said. “But it would’ve been great either way.” 

It was the evening of Clippard’s birthday that it was decided to induce Brittany into labor. Although it looked like he was going to share his son’s special day, Brittany stayed in labor for 26 hours. It was on Feb. 15 that Clippard’s life changed when his son, Maddox, was born. 

Suddenly, Clippard was no longer just a Major League pitcher. He was a father. 

“I can’t believe it. I feel the same, but like completely different, right?” Clippard said. “I feel like the same guy, but no, I’m dad and I’ve got this awesome kid, and it’s like a totally different world now. It’s amazing.”

The new family of three stayed in the hospital for a few more days before taking their new son back to their home in Tampa, Fla. In his first days as a father, Clippard did his best to soak up every second with his newborn, knowing he’d likely be leaving for Spring Training any day. He was up with Maddox at night and he spent every second with his newborn during the day. But just six days after his son’s birth, Clippard had to leave for Goodyear, Ariz., to sign with the Indians.

“It was really tough,” Clippard said. “When they’re that young, they change so rapidly. I knew I was going to miss out on some of that stuff, but that’s what Facetime is for. Thank God for that. I mean it’s hard on my wife, hard on me, but I’m not the first one to have to do it. I’ve talked to a couple guys here who have told me similar stories, which actually helps a lot to know other people have gone through it.”

When Clippard isn’t on the field, he’s Facetiming his wife and son, since newborns are unable to fly commercially until they receive their vaccinations at six weeks old.

“I’m just curious about the noises that he’s making, how he’s eating, all the stuff,” Clippard said. “I want to know all the stuff. I ask a lot of questions and she’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, I forgot to tell you about this,’ and I’m like, ‘Come on, man. I want to know it all.’”

Although Clippard thought his 3.67 ERA and average of 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings last season was enough to warrant a big league contract, the birth of his son has changed his perspective of the game.

“I think it takes pressure off,” Clippard said. “For me, it just gives you a sense of this is nothing. This is fun. ... It does motivate you a little bit, too, because you’re thinking about, especially now, with my wife not getting any sleep at home and like I’m here, so it’s like, ‘I better bust my butt while I’m here. Otherwise this ain’t worth it.’”