MINNEAPOLIS -- Adam Eaton's first interview as a new father was delayed a bit Monday morning because the White Sox leadoff man was face-timing with his wife, Katie, and his newborn son, Brayden.
Once Eaton started talking, though, he couldn't contain the excitement concerning Saturday's blessed event.
"It's a feeling like I've never had before. Something special, for sure," Eaton said with a broad smile affixed to his face. "I don't want to be cliché, but it definitely puts life in perspective.
"I revolve around this game. Everything revolved around baseball. When your wife goes into labor two nights ago, early morning, and is there all day, she works her butt off to have this child, how tough she is, and then the gift that you got out of it is truly special."
The Eatons were prepared for the birth of their child in 16 days, but the only problem was their preparation resided at their home in Brighton, Michigan. Katie was supposed to be in Chicago for the home opener at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday and then drive home Saturday for a baby shower.
Instead, Katie had to Skype into the shower from Rush University Medical Center. She went into labor Saturday morning and delivered Saturday night.
"Everyone at Rush did a heck of a job, and we were really thrilled with the whole process," Eaton said. "To be honest with you, it couldn't have worked out more perfect.
"My mom and dad were there, her mom and dad were there. Her brother, her sister. All our family, except for my brother, who is stationed in Nebraska. He couldn't make it, of course.
"And with the rainout yesterday, me only missing one game was awesome. We are thrilled. But yeah, a little hazy."
Monday's afternoon contest, Tuesday's off-day and Wednesday's night game at Target Field gives Eaton a chance to fly back to Chicago after the Twins' home opener. Although his focus is on baseball, he's going to keep tabs on his family and stay in contact with them as much as possible.
He also plans to rely on his teammates, his baseball family, who already have gone through the process.
"You don't want to miss it and he didn't," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "He only missed one game, which is kind of old-school. He was excited to not only have a child, but to have been there for his wife, but to be here and be part of the team and back at it."
"To be away is definitely tough," Eaton said. "You think you felt every emotion in the book. You think that you loved your life, and I still love my wife very much, but it's definitely a different love. Something you created with a special person and myself. It's emotions I've never felt before."