In last month’s MLB Draft, the sons of Glenn Hoffman, Jason LaRue, Dave Roberts, Jose Cruz Jr., Rusty Greer, Jerry Dipoto, Roy Halladay, Paul Byrd, Randy Ready, Travis Fryman, Al Leiter, Joe Randa, Shane Reynolds, Jay Bell, Rodney McCray, Glenallen Hill and Bobby Witt were among the players chosen. In our last visit, we talked about current major leaguers with obscure family lineage and also touched on some family ties of players from the 50’s & 60’s.
On this visit, we’ll move up the timetable to the 70’s & 80’s and while you’ll probably recall most of the players from that era, remembering their Dads might be a little more difficult.
> Buddy Bell, Indians & Rangers 3B (1972-89) – Gus Bell was a very productive OF in the 50’s & 60’s with over 200 HR’s & 1,800 Hits.
> Bob Boone, Phillies & Angels C (1972-90) – Ray Boone was an AL 3B from 1948-60, made two All-Star teams and led the league with 116 RBI’s in 1955.
> Jim Campanis, Dodger C (1966-70) – Al Campanis only had 20 AB’s for the Dodgers in 1943, but was the Scouting Director for the team from 1960-68 and the GM from 1969-87.
> Joe Coleman, Tigers P (1965-79) – The Dad, also named Joe, pitched in the AL as a rookie in 1942, then again after World War II from 1946-55…made the All-Star team in ’48.
> Terry Francona, Expos OF (1981-90) – Tito Francona was a major league OF from 1956-70 and made the All-Star team as a member of the Indians in ’61.
> Jerry Hairston Sr., White Sox OF (1973-89) – Sam Hairston was a Catcher in the Negro Leagues from 1945-48 and played four (4) games for the White Sox in 1951…lifetime BA was .400 (2-for-5).
> Terry Kennedy, Padres C (1978-91) – Bob Kennedy was another big-leaguer who missed three years during the War…a 3B/OF, he played from 1939-1957.
> Matt Keough, A’s P (1977-86) – Marty Keough was a major league OF from 1956-66 and is still around the game at age 85.
> Hal Lanier, Giants IF (1964-73) – Max Lanier pitched in the big leagues from 1938-53, mostly with the Cardinals.
> Vance Law, Expos IF (1980-89) – Vern Law pitched exclusively for the Pirates from 1950-67 and missed two seasons while in the military during the Korean War…won the Cy Young award in 1960 when the Bucs won the World Series.
> Mel Queen, Reds & Angels P (1966-72) – The older Mel Queen pitched in the “show” from 1942-52…the Dad’s lifetime ERA was 5.09, the Son’s was 3.14.
> Dick Schofield, Angels SS (1983-96) – The Father, also named Dick, was a major league IF from 1953-71 and long before NCIS, his nickname was “Ducky”.
> Joel Skinner, AL C (1983-91) – Bob Skinner roamed NL outfields from 1954-66 and had his best season for the champion Pirates in ’60.
> Steve Trout, White Sox & Cubs P (1978-89) – Paul “Dizzy” Trout was a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher for the Tigers and his career spanned 1939-52…won 27 games in 1944.
> Mike Hegan, AL 1B & OF (1964-77) – Jim Hegan was a major league Catcher for 17 seasons starting in 1941 and missed three full years during World War II…he made five (5) All-Star teams in the late 40’s and early 50’s.
Die-hard fans also know that a few of the father-son combinations on our list also represented three generations of major leaguers. Buddy Bell’s sons David & Mike appeared in the major leagues…Bob Boone’s sons Bret & Aaron had productive careers…the third Coleman Pitcher was Casey, who pitched for the Cubs and Royals…Jerry Hairston had Jerry Jr. & Scott become big league players. There may be more in the near future as Grae Kessinger (son of Keith and grandson of Don) was taken by the Astros and Trae Cruz (son of Jose Jr. and grandson of Jose) was scooped up by the Nationals.
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