Many fathers dream of their kids getting into the family business after they graduate and this years 2008 crop of seniors does indeed include the sons and nephews of some former Major Leaguers ready to make their own mark in dad's old career. Here's a list of the names we recognized. Be free to add any others in our comment section that we may have missed.
Jason Brunansky-University of Kansas- OF
Jason is the son of former long time Twin and Cardinal slugger Tom Brunansky. Here's a tidbit of trivia about Tom. After a brief holdout while he considered attending Stanford University, Brunansky signed with the Angels after Richard Nixon, a close friend of team owner Gene Autry, helped negotiate a then-unheard-of $125,000 contract. One of seven players with 20 or more homers each season from 1982 to 1987 and one of six to play 150 or more games each of those six years, he was also Minnesota's active home run leader, fourth overall, when traded to St. Louis for Tommy Herr in April, 1988.
Of Jason, KU Head Coach Ritch Price said "He's an excellent outfielder, and a good base-runner with a plus arm. He will contend for a starting spot in center field early in his career at KU." Good Luck Jason!
Cutter Dykstra- UCLA- SS
Cutter is the son of Lenny Dykstra who was Nicknamed "Nails" for his scrappy style of play, Lenny Dykstra did everything all out -- he worked hard and played hard. An integral member of the brash Mets of the mid-1980s and the blue-collar Phillies of the early 1990s, Dykstra epitomized the gritty leadoff hitter, blossoming to use power as well as speed in his repertoire.
UCLA Head Coach John Savage says of Cutter: "Cutter is one of the best athletes in the country. He can run and hit as well as any high school player. Cutter has a tremendous future at UCLA and is one of those players that really knows the game. He brings energy to the field every day." Sounds familiar...Go Get em Cutter!
Beau Brett- USC- 1B
Yeah, that Brett. Although this is the son of Bobby, George and the late Ken Bretts brother. Bobby played a little professional ball and is now the managing partner for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League and also involved with the High Desert Mavericks (California League) and the Tri-City Dust Devils (Northwest League). We've seen Beau play and he throws right and has that legendary left handed swing just like uncle George.
USC Head Coach Kreuter on Brett: "Beau is a three-sport star in Washington. He is a lean, dangerous left-handed hitter with better than average power. He comes from a rich baseball lineage, ready to come out and make a name for himself. Beau's athleticism will allow him to battle for immediate playing time at several positions. Look for Beau to carve out some history of his own at USC."
Tyler Bream-Liberty University- 3B/1B/RHP Son of Sid Bream. The lanky, lefthanded first baseman came to Pittsburgh in the 1985 Bill Madlock deal. A career .329 hitter in the minors, Bream set a NL record with 166 assists at first base in 1986, his first full season, and finished third in the league in doubles.
Liberty Head Coach Jim Toman on Bream: “Tyler Bream is a very good player. His commitment is special to us because he obviously has Liberty roots and he was the first commitment of the new staff.
Kevin Eichorn-Santa Clara University P/SS
Son of Mark Eichorn, who spent 13 years in the bigs, mostly with the Blue Jays and Angels as a middle reliever. In 1986, Mark posted a 14-6 record with a 1.72 ERA with Toronto. In 1993, he got a ring for being a part of the bullpen for the World Champion, Joe Carter and the Blue Jays dramatic series win.
Santa Clara Coach O'Brien on Eichhorn: "Kevin is one of the best two way players in the nation. He is talented on the mound and in the infield, and he will do both here. We expect him to make a major impact in this program."
Michael Aldrete- UC Davis-SS
Son of catcher Mike Aldrete of the Giants, Expos, Indians and Angels. Mike was traded by the Angels to the Yankees for Rich Monteleone and played 32 games with the World Champion Yankees in 1996.
UC Davis Head Coach Rex Peters on Aldrete: "Michael can really flash the leather and knows the game. He may be one of the best defensive players we've ever signed at UC Davis."
Cameron Seitzer-University Of Oklahoma-IF
Son of Kevin Seitzer who made his big-league debut as a September call-up in 1986 with the Royals. He made it to the majors to stay in 1987, where he started the season as the Royals' regular first baseman. He traded positions with Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett later in the season, in hopes of reducing Brett's chances of injury. Seitzer hit .323 with 15 home runs and 207 hits in his rookie 1987 season and, though overshadowed by fellow rookie teammate Bo Jackson, he was selected to the American League All-Star team. One of Seitzer's highlights of the season was a 6-for-6 performance on August 2 in a 13-5 victory over the Boston Red Sox; he became only the second Royal (after Bob Oliver in 1969, the franchise's inaugural season) to collect six hits in a nine-inning game.
No info on the Sooner website...Shame on you Sooner coaches! However, a rivals web site had this to say...In verbally committing to the Sooners, Cameron passed on offers from Dartmouth, Columbia, the University of St. Louis, and several junior colleges in the area. He was also being recruited by Arizona State.
"I wasn't really influenced by anyone to go to Oklahoma, except maybe my dad." Cameron said. "He absolutely loved the place. He also thought the coaches had a really good idea about the game which meant a lot to me."
RT Staff
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