‘My biggest role model’: Royals reflect on family and the joys of fatherhood
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The Kansas City Royals will honor fathers with custom gear and a blue ribbon decal Sunday.
- Several Royals are new or expectant fathers, including Vinnie Pasquantino and Cole Ragans.
- MLB and the Prostate Cancer Foundation will raise awareness with in‑stadium activations.
It’s often said that becoming a father is the best feeling in the entire world.
From first steps to high school graduation, the memories are endless. It’s a dream job without a dull moment. Each day presents a chance to love, educate and guide children through lifelong adventures.
For some, Father’s Day is the ultimate recognition. It’s a time to honor and celebrate those who paved the way.
The Kansas City Royals will celebrate all dads on Sunday during their afternoon series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. The players will wear custom gear and a special blue ribbon on their jerseys.
Father’s Day coincides with Major League Baseball’s campaign, in partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), against prostate disease. MLB will have stations set up at The K, encouraging early detection.
“I think it’s one of the most special things in my life, being a father,” Royals starter Michael Wacha said.
Several Royals are experiencing fatherhood for the first time this year. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is currently out injured but is expecting his first child. Pitcher Cole Ragans, also on the injured list, is another new-dad-in-waiting.
Royals reliever Lucas Erceg welcomed a newborn in December, while Nick Loftin and Kyle Isbel are among a host of Kansas City players with young children.
Every situation is different. But these Royals and others share a bond that connects baseball and family life.
The Royals honor this tradition in quiet ways. For example, they allow kids in the clubhouse to celebrate with their dads after home wins.
“I think that’s one of the coolest things,” Wacha said. “My dad wasn’t a big leaguer, so I didn’t get to be able to do that type of stuff. But I think it will be something cool. I think it’s cool being in a big-league clubhouse, for sure.
“And hopefully, whenever they are older, we get a lot of pics of them in here. You know, something they can look back on and they’ll think is pretty cool, as well.”
Fatherhood as a baseball player also comes with its challenges, of course. Baseball is a continuous grind that requires players to be away from their families for long stretches of time. The ups and downs of the big leagues can be felt from spring training through, for the best teams, October.
That helps explain why the Royals lean on each other in the clubhouse. And when they need it, they lean on advice their fathers shared about moving forward.
“My dad is probably the most ignorantly confident guy that I know, no matter what or how dumb he looks,” outfielder Lane Thomas said. “Even when I was doubting myself, he was always super confident in me. I think that (when) you hear it long enough, it kind of rubs off on you.”
Teammate Jac Caglianone no doubt agrees. He calls his dad regularly and they discuss his performance on the field. It’s always a reassuring phone call as Caglianone navigates his first full year in the big leagues.
“He’s definitely my biggest role model when it comes to baseball,” Caglianone said. “So he taught me the game and it’s just super special.”
As for the best advice he has received from his father? Caglianone said his dad helped him simplify the game with a central message.
“Just have fun with it, plain and simple,” he recalled. “Don’t try to do too much and don’t get caught up in the results. Just enjoy it.”
Father’s Day is also filled with remembrance. This is certainly the case for outfielder John Rave, who lost his dad a few years ago.
Rave carries his father’s legacy with him. On Sunday, he will get to honor his memory by playing in a big-league game.
“My dad meant a lot to me,” Rave said. “He was my biggest fan. So yeah, I’ll definitely be thinking of him on that day. It’s always special, you know, playing a baseball game and kind of remembering him for all the good that he was.”
Rave clings to memories of his dad and life lessons his father taught him. One of the biggest things he imparted was to live with integrity and play the game the right way.
This has helped Rave maintain the perspective that he isn’t defined by his individual performance. Instead, his character is defined by who he is as a person.
“You’re defined by a lot more,” he said. “So just kind of keeping those little things in mind. And yeah, Father’s Day will be a good reminder of that.”
After Sunday’s game at The K, a special road trip begins. The Royals will bring family along for stops in Tampa Bay and Chicago.
The Royals have a four-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field, then face the White Sox in a series at Rate Field next weekend.
Royals captain Salvador Perez is excited to share Father’s Day and the upcoming road trip with his family.
“You know, try to teach them the right way,” Perez said about how he is raising his kids. “Be honest to people and not lying to people. Be honest and encourage (others). Follow God. You know, I think that’s one of the biggest things in our house.”
Such core values are common among the dads dotting the Royals’ roster. Father’s Day is a special opportunity to share and pass down the game they love.
“I think being a dad is way more important than anything else you’ll do in life,” Thomas said. “So I think it’s important you do that as right as you can. And hopefully it plays out well. That’s all I think about, just my kids. Obviously, that’s going to be an important day.”
