GaryMrMets
06-16-2002, 01:25 PM
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/sea/news/sea_news.jsp?ymd=20020611&content_id=50465&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp
06/11/2002 8:06 pm ET
Father's Day: Cirillo's new focus
Third baseman talks about his biggest responsibility
By Jim Street / MLB.com
Now that he is playing for the Mariners, third baseman Jeff Cirillo can spend the entire season near his family, which includes three sons -- Cole, 4, Carson, 2½, and Connor, 1.
As might be expected, Father's Day is special at the Cirillo household. The nine-year big-league veteran sat down with MLB.com earlier in the week to discuss some of his experiences as a dad and what it means to be a father.
MLB.com: What changed the most when you became a father?
Jeff Cirillo: I went from being selfish to selfless. I realized it was not an "all about you" thing anymore, but learned real quickly that you have unconditional love for your kids. Their pain is your pain, their joy is your joy.
MLB.com: How has baseball played a role?
Cirillo: I think just playing baseball, you kind of appreciate your family a little bit more than you did before you became a father. Being away from them so much makes you appreciate your kids even more when you're home. When you are with them, you cherish the time a little bit more and don't take the game quite as seriously. And it doesn't really matter that much to them.
MLB.com: As a professional ballplayer, but also as a parent, what motivates you?
Cirillo: Setting a good example for my kids and the kids in the stands; trying to take the high road at all times and trying to live a morally sound life. You won't see me snapping a lot or throwing things around on the field a lot because I know they will be watching. I had mentioned the importance of not taking the game home with me. Before I had kids, I would go home after a poor game and be on the computer until 2 or 3 in the morning playing hearts or something, just thinking about it. I had my first child in the winter of '97 and things changed. I knew he would be getting up early so I didn't stay up so late.
MLB.com: Compare your childhood and upbringing to that of your children's.
Cirillo: My mom and stepdad gave us everything we really needed as kids. Sports in general and baseball in particular were major factors in our lives. I am a big believer in giving the kids everything they want as far as their interests are. I would want for them to dive into those interests, whether that might be sports-related, the computer or piano lessons. My [biological father] left when I was 7, and it was difficult. There are still some major issues there that I still carry with me. I think it has made me a better father. At times I feel that sense of abandonment and I know that I would never leave my kids, just for that one feeling.
MLB.com: Do your kids play baseball or any other sports?
Cirillo: My kids are 4, 2½ and 1 year old. My two youngest might play baseball, but my oldest has other interests. He is a math wiz and loves the computer. He loves the globe, loves geography. He knows all the continents, all the states and most of the state capitals. He wants to go to Africa.
MLB.com: Would you want any of your sons to be a professional athlete?
Cirillo: Heck no! Just kidding. Like I said before, the avenues they choose, I will support them wholeheartedly unless I don't think they are correct choices. If any of them want to go play soccer, or go take piano lessons, I am going to support them. I might steer them, but I won't push. If they want to play baseball, it is something I will teach them. I think it is inevitable that they will play because they see dad playing all the time. But as far as their own interests are concerned, I think it's important for them to be their own person. If they enjoy doing something other that what I'm doing, I will support them all the way.
Jim Street covers the Mariners for MLB.com and can be reached at mlbjstreet@aol.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2002/06/11/Fvp5tLSL.jpg
Jeff Cirillo is glad to be playing in Seattle near his family and three sons. (Elaine Thompson/AP)
06/11/2002 8:06 pm ET
Father's Day: Cirillo's new focus
Third baseman talks about his biggest responsibility
By Jim Street / MLB.com
Now that he is playing for the Mariners, third baseman Jeff Cirillo can spend the entire season near his family, which includes three sons -- Cole, 4, Carson, 2½, and Connor, 1.
As might be expected, Father's Day is special at the Cirillo household. The nine-year big-league veteran sat down with MLB.com earlier in the week to discuss some of his experiences as a dad and what it means to be a father.
MLB.com: What changed the most when you became a father?
Jeff Cirillo: I went from being selfish to selfless. I realized it was not an "all about you" thing anymore, but learned real quickly that you have unconditional love for your kids. Their pain is your pain, their joy is your joy.
MLB.com: How has baseball played a role?
Cirillo: I think just playing baseball, you kind of appreciate your family a little bit more than you did before you became a father. Being away from them so much makes you appreciate your kids even more when you're home. When you are with them, you cherish the time a little bit more and don't take the game quite as seriously. And it doesn't really matter that much to them.
MLB.com: As a professional ballplayer, but also as a parent, what motivates you?
Cirillo: Setting a good example for my kids and the kids in the stands; trying to take the high road at all times and trying to live a morally sound life. You won't see me snapping a lot or throwing things around on the field a lot because I know they will be watching. I had mentioned the importance of not taking the game home with me. Before I had kids, I would go home after a poor game and be on the computer until 2 or 3 in the morning playing hearts or something, just thinking about it. I had my first child in the winter of '97 and things changed. I knew he would be getting up early so I didn't stay up so late.
MLB.com: Compare your childhood and upbringing to that of your children's.
Cirillo: My mom and stepdad gave us everything we really needed as kids. Sports in general and baseball in particular were major factors in our lives. I am a big believer in giving the kids everything they want as far as their interests are. I would want for them to dive into those interests, whether that might be sports-related, the computer or piano lessons. My [biological father] left when I was 7, and it was difficult. There are still some major issues there that I still carry with me. I think it has made me a better father. At times I feel that sense of abandonment and I know that I would never leave my kids, just for that one feeling.
MLB.com: Do your kids play baseball or any other sports?
Cirillo: My kids are 4, 2½ and 1 year old. My two youngest might play baseball, but my oldest has other interests. He is a math wiz and loves the computer. He loves the globe, loves geography. He knows all the continents, all the states and most of the state capitals. He wants to go to Africa.
MLB.com: Would you want any of your sons to be a professional athlete?
Cirillo: Heck no! Just kidding. Like I said before, the avenues they choose, I will support them wholeheartedly unless I don't think they are correct choices. If any of them want to go play soccer, or go take piano lessons, I am going to support them. I might steer them, but I won't push. If they want to play baseball, it is something I will teach them. I think it is inevitable that they will play because they see dad playing all the time. But as far as their own interests are concerned, I think it's important for them to be their own person. If they enjoy doing something other that what I'm doing, I will support them all the way.
Jim Street covers the Mariners for MLB.com and can be reached at mlbjstreet@aol.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2002/06/11/Fvp5tLSL.jpg
Jeff Cirillo is glad to be playing in Seattle near his family and three sons. (Elaine Thompson/AP)