Kris Bryant is the one playing in the Major Leagues and experiencing stardom, but that doesn't mean he's the only one reaping the benefits.
While Bryant is savoring life as a Major Leaguer, his father, Mike, is enjoying life as a proud parent.
"I like to say when he made it, I made it," Mike told CSN Chicago. "Now I'm going through everything that he's going through and that I didn't get to experience as a minor-leaguer and I never got there.
"So I'm going through it with him and I'm too old for this. This roller coaster, I can't handle it. Kris handles it. He's right there, he stays right in the middle.
"I've been blessed and lucky to have a kid like that and coach him like that."
Mike played a few years in the Minor Leagues, but never made it to the Majors.
However, on Monday night, he was on one of the brightest Major Leagues stages – pitching to his son in the Home Run Derby. For Mike, it was a dream come true.
"That's bucket list stuff right there," Mike said. "We talked about this when he signed, like, 'Kris, I know it's a little premature, but if you ever make the big leagues and you become an All-Star and you get invited to the Home Run Derby, I want to pitch to you.'
"He said, 'Of course, Dad. You've been throwing to me all my life.' I did OK out there and he did the best he could with the way I was pitching him. It was OK, but there's better BP pitchers than me."
As much as Mike enjoyed the experience, so did Kris.
"I didn't care if I won or lost or how many homers I hit," Kris said. "It was more of the experience and enjoying [it with my dad]. ... It was great. I wouldn't trade that for anything. Just getting to experience that with him.”
(h/t CSN Chicago)
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
