Five best father-son duos in MLB history
On Father’s Day, let’s look back at some of the greatest father-son duos ever to play in MLB history.
Over the course of MLB history, there have been 240 father-son duos to appear on the diamond. In the case of the Griffey’s and the Raines’, those fathers and sons even got to play together on the same team, with the Griffey’s hitting back to back homers being one of the greatest highlights in the past 30 years.
It would make sense that so many sons would follow in their father’s footsteps in baseball – it is a game rich in history that has bridged generations, something that can get everyone back together. From the paintings of Norman Rockwell to the image of fathers and sons playing catch, baseball is a part of our tradition.
That is particularly the case with Father’s Day. In a typical year, this would be a time for the family to head to the ballpark, a bonding moment where everyone can enjoy a game together. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and the continued stalemate between the league and Player’s Union, we do not have that luxury this year.
As we enjoy Father’s Day, let us take a look back at the five best father-son duos in MLB history.
5. The Bell’s
Technically, the Bell Family spans three generations, but each generation had their own level of excellence.
The Bell Family lineage in MLB history begins with Gus Bell, a 15 year major league veteran who spent most of his career with the Reds. He was a four time All Star with solid pop, hitting over 25 homers three times in his career. Overall, he produced a .281/.330/.445 batting line, hitting 206 homers and 311 doubles.
He was followed by Buddy Bell, one of the greatest defensive third basemen in MLB history. A six time Gold Glove winner, he ranks third all time with 167 runs saved at third, and his 174 runs saved are the 11th best mark in MLB history. A five time All Star, Bell was also solid with the bat, producing a .279/.341/.406 batting line, with 201 homers and 425 doubles in his 18 year career.
Then came the third generation. David Bell had a solid 12 year career of his own, twice reaching the 20 home run plateau en route to a respectable .257/.320/.396 batting line with 123 homers and 267 doubles.
Mike Bell did not have nearly as long of a major league career, receiving 31 plate appearances for the Reds in 2000, but he did belt two homers, and spent 14 years in the minors. Currently, he serves as the bench coach for the Minnesota Twins, assuming that the season ever gets underway.
4. The Fielder’s
In one of the more interesting statistical quirks, the Fielder’s each hit the exact same number of home runs in their careers.
Cecil Fielder was a solid power hitter early in his career, but he did not come into his own until he spent a season in Japan. There, he developed into more of a complete hitter, while becoming an even more dangerous power bat. The elder Fielder took the game by storm in 1990, when he became the first player in 13 years to reach that plateau.
While he did not hit 50 homers again, he was a solid overall player. A three time All Star and two time Silver Slugger winner, he led the league in homers twice and RBI three times. Overall, he produced a .255/.345/.482 batting line, hitting 319 homers and driving in 1008 runs.
Prince Fielder may have surpassed those marks had his career not been cut short due to back surgery. After surgery for a herniated disk, he needed a second spinal fusion procedure, leaving him medically unable to play at just 32 years old. A six time All Star, and three time Silver Slugger, he ended his career with a .283/.382/.506 batting line, hitting 319 homers and 321 doubles.
Unlike the other father-son duos on this list, the Fielder’s relationship has been rocky at best over the past decade. Perhaps that will change in the future, but for now, all they have in common are their history in the game.
3. The Alou’s
The Alou’s made MLB history before, and not just as a father-son duo. Back on September 15, 1963, the three Alou brothers played in the outfield at the same time.
Felipe Alou was the most accomplished of the Alou brothers. He was an excellent hitter, a three time All Star that led the National League in hits twice while showing some pop. Over the course of his 17 years in the majors, he produced a .286/.328/.433 batting line, hitting 206 homers, 359 doubles, and stealing 107 bases.
His son, Moises Alou, suffered a severe ankle injury in his second season, putting his career in question. However, he worked his way back to become a stellar player in his own right. While he missed two full seasons due to injury, he was a six time All Star and two time Silver Slugger, producing a .303/.369/.516 batting line over his 17 year career, hitting 332 homers and 421 doubles.
The baseball legacy did not stop there. Three other sons played in the minors, and a several cousins reached the majors. Luis Rojas, another son, will make the family the fifth father-son duo to manage in the majors when he takes the helm for the Mets. And, Felipe did manage Moises for seven years between the Expos and the Giants.
Baseball is more than a father-son tradition in the Alou family – it is a family business.
2. The Griffey’s
One of the greatest moments in MLB history came in 1990, when the Griffey’s became the first father-son duo to play together on the same team. Then on September 14, the Griffey’s hit back to back home runs, a special moment for the pair.
Although he would be overshadowed by his son, Ken Griffey had a solid career in his own right. He was a three time All Star, taking home the MVP honors in the 1980 Midsummer Classic. Over the course of his 19 year career, he produced a .296/.359/.431 batting line, hitting 152 homers and 364 doubles while stealing exactly 200 bases.
As solid a career as that was, his son would easily surpass those numbers. Nicknamed The Natural, Ken Griffey Jr. had a phenomenal career, reaching the majors as a teenager and eventually going on to become the first player taken with the first overall pick in the MLB Draft to reach the Hall of Fame.
A 13 time All Star and the 1997 AL MVP, he produced a .284/.370/.538 batting line, hitting 630 homers and 524 doubles. Injuries robbed him of his chance to reach the 700 homer and 3000 hit plateaus, but he was still a clear Hall of Fame player. He also won ten Gold Glove awards, sweeping the award in the 1990s.
For now, it appears that the lineage will stop here. Craig Griffey never reached the majors, and Trey Griffey, Junior’s son, gave up baseball in high school to focus on the gridiron. However, he has bounced from practice squad to practice squad, and the Mariners did draft him in the 24th round of the 2016 MLB Draft…
1. The Bonds’
There are eight members of the 300-300 club. The Bonds’ Family accounts for two of the members.
Bobby Bonds may have been the prototype for the Three True Outcome hitter, but he was far more than that. A three time All Star and three time Gold Glove winner, he was the second player in MLB history to hit 300 homers and steal 300 bases in his career. Overall, he produced a .268/.353/.471 batting line, hitting 302 homers and stealing 461 bases.
Then there is Barry Bonds. One of the more controversial figures in the game, he has been dogged by PED rumors despite never failing a test. His surly demeanor certainly did not help his case, especially with the media. He was essentially the villain through the latter part of his career, a part he was perfectly suited for.
And yet, there was no questioning his talent and the fear he struck into the opposition. He produced a .298/.444/.607 batting line, belting 762 homers and 601 doubles while stealing 514 bases. He has the most walks, intentional walks, and homers in MLB history, along with the single season home run record. The younger Bonds is also the only member of the 400-400 and 500-500 clubs, showing his dominance. A 14 time All Star, seven time MVP, and eight time Gold Glove winner, there was nothing he couldn’t do on the diamond.
Next. Baseball history in seven degrees of separation. dark
As steeped in controversy as it may be, the Bonds’ were the best father-son duo in MLB history.