The 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star game, which was won by the American League, featured several oddities. Most obvious was the fact that Los Angeles outfielder Mike Trout became the only player to be named All-Star Game MVP for two consecutive seasons.
The other first time it happened concerned the second baseman chosen to start in each league. In the Junior Circuit the honor went to Robinson Cano of Seattle, and in the National League Dee Gordon of Miami received the most votes.
Both Cano and Gordon are the sons of major leaguers, but their heritage is different than most descendants who follow their parents into baseball. Both of these second basemen had parents (José Cano and Tom Gordon) who were pitchers, a fact that makes the tandem the first All-Stars chosen at the same position in the same year whose parents spent their careers on the mound.
To further illustrate the significance of the situation, consider how few second-generation Major Leaguers had parents who were pitchers. Active players, aside from the aforementioned All-Star second basemen, include Adam and Andy Laroche, corner infielders whose father, Dave, pitched for the Detroit Tigers.
Also active are Pittsburgh’s Neal Walker, son of pitcher Tom Walker, and Oakland’s Ike Davis, son of reliever Ron Davis. Boston first baseman Travis Shaw is the son of Cincinnati Reds All-Star closer Jeff Shaw.
In some cases, the father and son form not only a bond, but also a battery. Pablo Torrealba was a catcher and his father Steve was a pitcher. Darren Daulton, whose father Tom was a pitcher, was an All-Star backup and won a pennant with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Here are ten of the best-known position players whose parents made it to the big leagues as a pitcher.
neikro spear
The outfielder and first baseman, who played five years in the majors, was the son of All-Star pitcher Joe Neikro and the nephew of Hall of Fame Cy Young winner Gaylord Perry.
david followed
A first baseman who had a long career with the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles, David was the son of reliever Diego Segui of the Seattle Pilots and several other clubs.
Charlie Beamon Jr.
This former Seattle and Toronto first baseman is the son of the namesake pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.
david howard
This once-utility man, whose father Bruce had been a major league pitcher, played for both Missouri teams.
Tom Heitzelman
This infielder from St. Louis and San Francisco had a much shorter career than his father Ken, who spent thirteen years as a major league pitcher.
jeff kunkell
This 1980s Texas Rangers infielder is the son of Bill, who pitched in the majors in the 1950s.
Vance’s Law
Primarily a third baseman for the Cubs, Vance is the son of veteran Pittsburgh pitcher Vernon Law.
jerry martin
Barney Martin was a pitcher, so it’s a little surprising that his son grew up to be among the league leaders in home runs as a Cub in 1980.
justin sellers
This Pittsburgh infielder’s father, Jeff, was a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.
Ed Sprague Jr.
The Toronto third baseman shares his name with his father, a pitcher for the Reds, Cardinals, A’s and Brewers.
