CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jose Valentin was in Mexico last week waiting for a phone call. His son - Phillies infielder Jesmuel Valentin - had been finished playing for a half hour. The father’s cell, as it always does, would soon ring.
Jesmuel Valentin grew up in major-league clubhouses, following his father across the country during his 16-year major-league career. Valentin is now working to follow his father’s path and carve out his own place in the majors. With each step, there is a dad waiting for a call.
“I really enjoy those calls,” Jose Valentin said during a break from coaching with Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.