Daily Dad News

Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher Heeds Father’s Advice To Play in Majors

March 6, 2012

With spring training in Major League Baseball well underway, players are trying to find out what they’re made of. Some vets are attempting to relive past glories while others are coasting on last year’s success. For other, just making it to the “big show” is another journey altogether. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kyle Drabek is now relearning his former winning ways after a good start to his season last year ended in a fizzle. Thanks to his father, he may be getting back to form soon.

Doug Drabek was a star pitcher in the MLB, winning the coveted Cy Young Award while throwing from the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was his experience that helped his son shake off his self-doubt after a minor league demotion.

“I’m fortunate to have a dad who played,” said Drabek to the Globe and Mail. “Dad just told me, ‘Forget about it, but learn.’ Yeah, his approach was to look at it as a lesson. And that enabled me to learn more about the game. I’ve learned that when you fail, there is always the next day.”

Kyle was a star high school pitcher and minor leaguer, but the rigors of the major game proved to be daunting. Doug, however, offered advice to his son from a place of both experience and concern.

“I was frustrated every inning, every game. And it did not help me; it hurt me. My dad said, ‘On the mound, don’t show the other team that you are down or frustrated. That will lift them up, and they’ll take advantage of it.’ ” Drabek said.

Kyle earned praise from his coaching staff for his efforts in his Grapefruit League debut, pitching just one inning over the weekend. His father struggled mightily too in the early start of his career like many of the greats, going on to achieve great wins with his arm.

Kyle Drabek is undoubtedly hoping history repeats itself.

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