How to Market your Brand

Four sons of retired Major League Baseball (MLB) professionals are taking to one development baseball league in the North Country as an opportunity to follow in their fathers footsteps. One of those four features Pedro Martinez Jr, who is the son of hall-of-fame pitcher and three-time MLB Cy Young Award Winner Pedro Martinez. Martinez Jr. is doing it a bit differently from his dad, who is being used as a utility player in the infield and outfield for the Malone Borderhounds in the Empire Baseball League (EBL). Im a utility guy, I take pride multiple positions, Martinez Jr. said. He (Martinez Sr.) never pushed me to do anything and I got recruited as a hitter. While Martinez Sr. didnt try to influence his son to throw over 100 mph on the mound, he did encourage him to be mentally tough on the field, teaching him how to be confident on the field. The things that he taught me the most are the mental aspects of the game, Martinez Jr. said. Give your best in everything you do and just try to be the best in what you do. Martinez Jr. already had a bit of confidence built into the start of his stint with the Borderhounds, thanks to a chemistry boost reuniting with his college teammate Daniel Alfonzo from Lynn University. Playing with Pedro again, its great, Alfonzo said. He makes the team fun, we always be vibing together on and off the field, and its real great to play with him again. Alfonzo, who plays third baseman for the Borderhounds, is also the son of a retired 12-year pro Edgardo Alfonzo, who was an all-star for the New York Mets in 2000. Daniel says his father has always been his biggest supporter throughout his sons baseball journey. My dad has been there ever since the jump, Daniel Alfonzo said. Hes always been there for me, always giving advice here and there hes always been my role model, always looked up to him and Im playing baseball because I want to continue what he brought to the table. Two other players from the Tupper Lake Riverpigs are also trying to make their retired fathers proud through the Empire League. Garrett Sheffield, the son of nine-time all-star Gary Sheffield, is looking to take the same work ethic from his junior college days with Shelton State Community College in hopes that will help him reach the pros. Im used to that just go get it type of mindset, Sheffield said. Dealing with that and dealing with the ups and downs of baseball having success and having failures prepares you for moments like playing in this league. At the same time, Garrett is making sure to keep his fathers wisdom on offense in mind, especially since Gary was the MLB league leader in batting average (.330) back in 1992. Hes probably one of the best hitting coaches you can have, Garrett Sheffield said. He tells me to just be myself, dont try to hit home runs and do all this stuff just try to spread the ball around and be myself. Jake Ford, the son of six-year MLB pro Lew Ford, is the only one of the four to make a return to the EBL trying to build on a stronger performance from his first season after dealing with a foot injury last season. I feel like Im putting a better year together this year with this team, Jake Ford said. A lot of pt (physical therapy, a lot of long days with my trainers a lot of isolation training just trying to get that ankle right back. That determination to come back to the game as quickly as he could from injury stems from a passion he gained from watching baseball at a young age, getting access to watch his dad during batting practice with the Minnesota Twins. Growing up I always traveled when he played on the Twins, and I got to go to Sunday bp (batting practice) on the field with all the other kids, Jake Ford said. I think growing up in that environment it gave me a love for baseball that I wanted to pursue. That love is motivating all the players competing in the Empire League to prove they are ready for a potential call-up to the MLB minor league system. They will have around two weeks left in the EBL regular season to showcase their skills in hopes they get recognized.