The hidden side of politics

Manny, Pedro and Papi’s kids are on the same team?! Meet ‘The Sons’ of the Brockton Rox

Reported by ESPN:

BROCKTON, Mass. — As outfielder Pedro Martinez Jr., first baseman Manny Ramirez Jr., third baseman D’Angelo Ortiz, outfielder Jaden Sheffield and pitcher Kade Foulke chat in the batting cages, general manager Tom Tracey shoos away fans loitering outside Campanelli Stadium, hoping to get a glimpse of the players known collectively as “The Sons.”

“Brockton High School is next door,” Tracey says. “There are always people hanging around trying to see what’s happening here.”

Indeed, word has been spreading around New England. About an hour’s drive from Fenway Park, baseball fans can watch the sons of MLB royalty play — on the Brockton Rox of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. Once there, they might see Hall of Famer David Ortiz helping players fine-tune their swings, Manny Ramirez demonstrating how to lay off the curveball, Keith Foulke — the former Red Sox closer who threw the last pitch of the 2004 World Series — raking the infield dirt, or Pedro Martinez and Gary Sheffield watching from one of the suite boxes.

The sons recognize the novelty of the situation. Martinez Jr., Ortiz, Ramirez Jr. and Foulke are attempting to follow in the footsteps of four members of a legendary 2004 Boston Red Sox team — the one that broke the Curse of the Bambino. Sheffield’s dad was on the other side of the rivalry, as a member of the New York Yankees.

“Our dads are inseparable in baseball history,” Martinez Jr. says. “For so many people, this is nostalgic. We all used to see each other at Fenway at reunions. To be able to play with each other and not watching our dads playing, we are trying to make a name for ourselves.”

All five sons joined the Rox this summer in an attempt to improve their games. The Futures Collegiate Baseball League, which ranks a few notches below the prestigious Cape Cod League, provides players entering college and those playing at the Division I, II or III levels an opportunity to get consistent playing time from the end of May through the second week of August in a league of eight teams.

Martinez played on the Rox last summer and is the oldest at 21 years old, an incoming senior at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. Sheffield, 19, is an incoming sophomore at Georgetown. Ortiz, 17, Ramirez, 19, and Foulke, 18, are all incoming freshmen — they will play at Miami Dade College, Tallahassee Community College and Galveston College, respectively.

Those names on the roster are making Rox games a hot ticket this summer. The team says attendance reaches about 1,500 on an average weekend in a stadium that seats 4,750 — it averaged less than half that before this season.

“It’s definitely drawn a lot of hype,” says Tracey, who says he did not plan to bring the sons together. “Fans hear the names and they’re like, they want to go see these kids, if they’re like their dads and everything. Fans are there before games, after games, and kids will mail letters to the stadium asking for autographs.”

But the sons shrug their shoulders at this attention. They’re used to it — they’ve been targets of opposing teams and fans since they were kids. The younger Martinez recalls hearing jeers of “Who’s Your Daddy” for as long as he has been on a baseball field.

“Everybody has been told that you’re never gonna be your dad or this and that,” Ortiz says. “We’re not trying to be our dads. When people put you on a pedestal, they look up to you and they try to see what they can take from you. We’re all individually so proud to come from who we come from, and we’re just trying to keep that going.”

And far more than from the pressure from the prying public, the sons say their harshest critics reside within.

“You just want to wear the last name well,” Sheffield says. “That’s really what I want to do. It’s a pride thing. I don’t try to be my dad. You can’t. My dad did great things in baseball, and if I can just wear that last name well, keep that legacy going, it’s a pride thing.”

“I really didn’t understand how big [my father] was until he got into the Hall of Fame. … Like, that’s Mookie Betts talking to him like he’s someone cool, treating him like he’s royalty. Why is this guy talking to my weird, dork dad? He spends his time at home taking care of his flowers.”

Pedro Martinez Jr.

Their fathers expect a lot from their sons, too, and hold them to high standards — and under tough scrutiny.

“The thing that I don’t like is that if you hit a home run and you watch it, [our parents] get mad,” Ramirez says. “If any of us hits a home run and watches it, they’re going, ‘Hey, what are you doing? Run the bases.’ I’m just like, ‘I’m trying to do what you guys used to do to the pitchers. I learned this from you. You used to pimp home runs.'”

Jokes Martinez: “My dad would just hit you.”

“I think his dad hit my dad at one point,” Sheffield responds, pointing at Martinez Jr. and laughing.

But at the same time, they all know there are benefits of having famous fathers.

“Any problem I have in baseball, my dad has experienced it,” Foulke says. “If I tell him my problem, he tells me … how I can fix it.”

The Rox coaching staff says summer ball is a chance to grow instead of focusing on numbers, but the stats show there is room for improvement. It’s too early to say whether any of “The Sons” will make it to the majors. So far this summer, Ortiz is performing the best at the plate, hitting .271 with 14 RBIs and 19 walks through his first 22 games. Martinez is hitting .250/.372/.278, Ramirez .145/.213/.275 and Sheffield .159/.268/.232. Foulke has allowed six runs in 6⅔ innings with 13 strikeouts and five walks.

But their time together has been a learning experience off the field, too. Ramirez says as a kid he didn’t realize his dad was a baseball star, and not just a celebrity people recognized on the streets. Until he arrived in Brockton, Foulke, who grew up in Texas and Florida, had no idea his dad was a Boston legend. Martinez used to be confused about why so many people revered his dad.

“I really didn’t understand how big he was until he got into the Hall of Fame,” Martinez says. “I remember doing strength training with him and I see my favorite players and they’re treating him like royalty. Like, that’s Mookie Betts talking to him like he’s someone cool, treating him like he’s royalty. Why is this guy talking to my weird, dork dad? He spends his time at home taking care of his flowers.”

Being teammates on the Rox has made the sons feel less lonely. They all say they have never been around so many people with similar life experiences.

“The respect I have for his dad, for his dad, for his dad, for his dad,” Martinez says, pointing to his teammates. “We all just kind of like know, you don’t need to say it. I know, he knows. We all relate to each other in some way. We’re all tied together. There’s an automatic connection because we’re all tied together in history. You can’t break that.”

Source:ESPN

Share

153 Comments

  1. Script Executor

    Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog! We are
    a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.

    Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a
    outstanding job!

  2. leci123.org

    I’m not sure exactly why but this web site is loading incredibly slow for me.

    Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end?

    I’ll check back later and see if the problem still
    exists.

  3. tntdrama.com/activate

    Hey there! I’ve been following your weblog for some time now and finally got the
    bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Kingwood Tx!
    Just wanted to mention keep up the great job!

  4. Diningroom Design

    Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon on a daily basis.
    It’s always helpful to read through articles from other writers and practice a little something from other websites.

  5. Diningroom Design

    I’m not sure why but this web site is loading incredibly slow
    for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it
    a problem on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.

  6. Bathroom Ideas

    Hey are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to
    the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up
    my own. Do you require any html coding knowledge to make your own blog?
    Any help would be really appreciated!

  7. Home Ideas

    Heya i am for the first time here. I found
    this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much.

    I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.

  8. Cottage Ideas

    Hi to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of this website; this webpage includes awesome and really excellent material in support
    of visitors.

  9. appartment Decor

    I like the helpful info you provide for your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and take a look at once more right here regularly.
    I am somewhat certain I’ll be informed lots of new stuff proper right here!

    Best of luck for the following!

  10. Home Decor

    You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking
    forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of
    it!

  11. Home Decor

    Hi there, all the time i used to check weblog posts here early in the daylight,
    for the reason that i love to find out more and more.

  12. Bathtub Design

    Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am
    going to revisit once again since i have bookmarked it.
    Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and
    continue to help others.

  13. Home Decoration

    A person necessarily help to make severely posts I would state.

    That is the very first time I frequented your web page and to this point?
    I surprised with the research you made to create this actual post incredible.
    Great task!

  14. Backyard

    I’ve been browsing on-line more than 3 hours as of late, yet I never discovered any
    interesting article like yours. It’s beautiful value sufficient for me.
    In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made just right content material as you probably did, the net can be much more useful than ever before.

  15. Bathtub Design

    When someone writes an piece of writing he/she maintains the plan of a user in his/her brain that how a user can know it.
    Thus that’s why this article is outstdanding.
    Thanks!

  16. Home Decor

    It is actually a nice and useful piece of info. I am happy that
    you just shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this.
    Thanks for sharing.

  17. Home Ideas

    I always used to study paragraph in news papers but now
    as I am a user of web thus from now I am
    using net for articles, thanks to web.

  18. Appartment Decor

    I do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps
    everybody else experiencing issues with your blog.
    It looks like some of the text on your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if
    this is happening to them too? This could be a
    issue with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.

    Kudos

  19. Home Decoration

    Great blog here! Additionally your site quite a bit up very fast!
    What host are you using? Can I am getting your affiliate hyperlink on your host?
    I want my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  20. Diningroom Design

    You’ve made some really good points there. I checked on the internet
    for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your
    views on this website.

  21. Backyard

    Hello this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
    I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise so I
    wanted to get guidance from someone with experience.
    Any help would be enormously appreciated!

  22. Home Ideas

    Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed
    reading it, you’re a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back very soon. I want to encourage
    you continue your great work, have a nice holiday
    weekend!

  23. Diningroom Design

    When someone writes an paragraph he/she retains the plan of a user in his/her brain that how a
    user can understand it. Thus that’s why this post is perfect.
    Thanks!

  24. important site

    Greate peças . Manter escrevendo tal tipo de informação em
    seu local. Estou realmente impressionado por blog .
    Oi, Você tem feito um fantástico emprego. Eu vou definitivamente digg- e pessoalmente sugerir aos
    meus amigos. Eu sou confiante eles pensarão ser beneficiado com este local .

  25. agen slot777

    It is truly a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you just
    shared this useful information with us. Please stay
    us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  26. RUAY

    I have been browsing online more than three
    hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers
    made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.

    Feel free to visit my web page; RUAY

  27. Yabancı Takipçi Satın Al

    Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest authoring on other sites?
    I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers
    would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested,
    feel free to shoot me an e mail.

  28. pixel gun 3d hack

    Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you really know what you’re speaking approximately!
    Bookmarked. Kindly also discuss with my site =).
    We can have a hyperlink trade arrangement among us

  29. Drug Rehab Vallejo

    They are amazing. Very understanding and easy to talk to.
    I like one of the nurses personally. She is the first provider I have had that cares.
    The staff is friendly, the office is clean and organized.
    Best provider I have ever had, hands down.

  30. https://justpaste.it/643xx

    I do consider all the concepts you have offered to your post.
    They are really convincing and can definitely work.
    Still, the posts are too brief for beginners. Could you
    please lengthen them a little from subsequent time?

    Thanks for the post.

  31. https://linktr.ee/maxwinbola

    Hello there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a
    quick shout out and tell you I really enjoy reading through your posts.
    Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same topics?
    Thanks for your time!

  32. strap on harness

    Greate pieces. Keep writing such kind of info on your site.
    Im really impressed by your blog.
    Hello there, You’ve performed an excellent job.
    I’ll definitely digg it and individually suggest to my friends.
    I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this website.

  33. Advanced Plumbing Drains Heating

    Woah! I’m enjoying the template/theme of this website.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appeal.

    I must say you’ve done a very good job with this.

  34. ceri 138

    I do not know if it’s just me or if perhaps
    everyone else encountering problems with your site.
    It seems like some of the text on your content are running
    off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too?
    This may be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this happen previously.

    Many thanks

  35. ceri138

    Wow, fantastic blog structure! How lengthy
    have you been blogging for? you make blogging glance easy.
    The whole look of your website is great,
    as neatly as the content material!

  36. exoticmetalinteriors

    Hi would you mind stating which blog platform
    you’re using? I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most
    blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
    P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

  37. Cottage Ideas

    Valuable information. Lucky me I discovered your site by accident, and
    I am surprised why this twist of fate didn’t came about in advance!
    I bookmarked it.

  38. Dallas

    I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether
    this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about
    my problem. You are incredible! Thanks!

  39. 광주출장마사지

    We are a group of volunteers and starting a
    new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with
    valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole
    community will be thankful to you.

  40. togel online

    Hello there I am so delighted I found your blog page, I really found you
    by mistake, while I was researching on Aol
    for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would
    just like to say many thanks for a tremendous
    post and a all round exciting blog (I also love
    the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through
    it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read
    much more, Please do keep up the excellent work.

  41. ceri138.com

    Having read this I thought it was very informative.
    I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this informative article together.

    I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both
    reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  42. website

    Hello there I am so happy I found your webpage, I really found you by
    mistake, while I was browsing on Askjeve for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to
    say thank you for a marvelous post aand a all round exciting blog (I also love
    the theme/design), I don’t haave time to browse iit all at the minute but I have ookmarked it and
    also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back
    to read mucxh more, Please do keep up the
    superb b.
    website

  43. homepage

    Good day! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering
    which blog platform are you using for tgis website?
    I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues
    with hackers aand I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.

    I wokuld bee fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    homepage

  44. situs toto macau

    It is perfect time to make a few plans for the future and it’s time to be happy.

    I have read this publish and if I could I wish
    to counsel you few attention-grabbing issues or suggestions.
    Maybe you can write subsequent articles relating to this article.

    I want to read even more issues about it!

  45. 안전터z

    Right now, I was just searching alongside and arrived on your website. Just desired to say good web site and this information aided me a whole lot, as a result of which I have discovered accurately I used to be searching. UBANK789

  46. 안전터

    I’m able to see that you’re a professional at your discipline! I am launching a web site before long, plus your data is going to be extremely practical for me.. Many thanks for all your enable and wishing you each of the success in your organization. สล็อตแตกง่าย

  47. Health Insurance Brokers Knightdale

    At this time, it seems like WordPress is the preferred blogging platform available right now.
    (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re
    using on your blog? Great post, however, I was wondering if you could write a little more on this
    subject?

  48. Kira

    Thank you a llot forr sharing this with alll oof us you actually realize what you’re talking about!
    Bookmarked. Kindly also discuss with my web site =).

    We may have a hyperlink alternate agreement between us!

    Also visit my site cisco ccie [Kira]

  49. Kent

    It’s actually very complex in this busy life to listen news on Television,
    therefore I simply use web for that purpose, and ttake tthe neewest news.

    Review my website … projesct management – Kent

  50. SEO

    What’s up Dear, are you in fact visiting this web
    page regularly, if so afterward you will absolutely take nice knowledge.

FOLLOW @ NATIONAL HILL