“A Father’s Pitch: Javy Báez Shares Emotional First Pitch Moment with Son on His 7th Birthday”
By [joyce]
July 7, 2025
DETROIT — On a warm summer afternoon at Comerica Park, the roar of the crowd wasn’t just for baseball. It was for something much more personal — and much more heartfelt.
As fans filed into their seats ahead of the Detroit Tigers’ home game, few expected to witness one of the most touching pregame moments of the season. Tigers shortstop Javy Báez stepped onto the field hand-in-hand with his 7-year-old son, Adrian, for a ceremonial first pitch unlike any other.
What followed was not just a father helping his son throw a baseball — it was a memory in the making, a moment suspended in time, and a rare, public window into the private love between a father and son.
A Birthday Unlike Any Other
The occasion? Adrian’s seventh birthday. Rather than a quiet family party or a private celebration, Báez decided to give his son a gift that would last a lifetime: the chance to take the mound at a Major League Baseball stadium, in front of thousands of fans, and throw out the ceremonial first pitch — with his dad catching behind the plate.
Adrian, dressed in a custom-sized Detroit Tigers jersey with “BÁEZ” and the number 28 across the back, gripped the ball with both hands, standing just a few feet in front of the mound. Javy knelt a few yards away, glove open, smiling from ear to ear.
The moment Adrian let go of the ball — which tumbled charmingly through the air before bouncing into his dad’s glove — the stadium erupted in cheers. Javy stood up, ran to his son, and lifted him in a tight hug, both of them grinning, as confetti briefly rained down from the dugout.
“I wanted him to feel what it’s like to be out here,” Báez said afterward. “This game has given me so much, but nothing compares to sharing it with my family.”
A Season Full of Highs and Heart
This emotional first pitch comes during a season that’s been filled with ups and downs for Báez. After struggling with injuries and inconsistency last year, the 31-year-old shortstop has shown flashes of his vintage self in 2025 — quick on defense, explosive at the plate, and once again a clubhouse leader.
But beyond the stats and standings, Báez has been vocal this season about balance — balancing family and fame, the game and fatherhood.
“I’m just trying to be present,” he told reporters in May. “You know, baseball’s great. But when I go home, I’m dad. That’s my number one job.”
A Moment That Resonated
On social media, clips of the father-son pitch quickly went viral. Fans and players alike shared the video with heart emojis, birthday wishes for Adrian, and tributes to Báez’s authenticity as both a player and a parent.
ESPN analyst Eduardo Pérez called it “the kind of moment that reminds you baseball is more than a game.” Former teammates weighed in, too — with Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman commenting, “That’s what it’s all about, bro. Respect.”
Even Tigers manager A.J. Hinch couldn’t hide his emotion. “I’ve seen a lot of first pitches,” he said with a smile, “but this one… this one hit different.”
Family at the Forefront
Báez’s wife, Irmarie, and their youngest son were also in attendance, seated behind home plate. After the game, she posted a photo of Javy and Adrian hugging with the caption: “Mi corazón en una imagen. Feliz cumpleaños, mi campeón.” (My heart in one picture. Happy birthday, my champion.)
It’s no secret that Báez’s family has been central to his identity. From tattoos honoring his parents to interviews where he’s talked about being a role model for his children, Báez has always been open about the emotional core that drives him.
“He plays with fire, with flair, with flash,” said Tigers teammate Riley Greene. “But at the end of the day, he’s just a good dad who loves his kids. And that’s something we all look up to.”
A Lasting Impact
As Adrian’s pitch sailed across Comerica Park, it didn’t just land in a glove — it landed in the hearts of fans. In a season filled with trades, drama, and daily headlines, this simple act reminded everyone of baseball’s deeper truths: legacy, connection, love.
“This wasn’t about stats or standings,” a fan commented under the Tigers’ Instagram post. “It was about a dad showing his son what it means to share joy with the people you love — on the biggest stage.”
As for Adrian? When asked what his favorite part of the day was, he didn’t hesitate:
“Throwing the ball to my papi,” he said with a shy grin. “And hearing everyone cheer.”
Closing Thoughts
Javy Báez may have won a World Series ring and earned All-Star honors, but for a few minutes on Sunday afternoon, he wasn’t the star. His son was. And in helping create that moment, Báez reminded all of us — players, fans, and families alike — why baseball still matters.
Not just because of the game. But because of moments like this.