Ron Cey has undergone a metamorphis of sorts. After a career at third base, the "Penguin" is now backing a guy at second.
"I used to be Ron Cey and all of that," said the former major leaguer. "Now, I'm Dan Cey's father. And that's just fine with me."Twelve years after his playing career came to an end, the slugger's only son is just one step away from following in his footsteps. Dan Cey is the starting second baseman for the Triple-A Salt Lake Buzz, the top minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
"I think he's worked his way past my name. He's established himself as a player," said the proud papa, whose 17-year career included stints with the Dodgers, Cubs and Athletics. "Now all he has to do really is just go do his stuff."
That, however, may be easier said than done.
"I think every son of a major leaguer knows that they're going to live their career -- at least in the minor leagues -- as the son of a major leaguer," said Dan Cey, who has moved up a level in each of his seasons as a professional. "You're going to have that right after your name all the time. Only until you get to the big leagues and establish yourself will it ever go away. That's the only way for it to happen."
The younger Cey points out that few think of Ken Griffey Sr. while discussing Ken Griffey Jr. The same could be said of Bobby and Barry Bonds.
"It doesn't really matter," he continued. "I'm not playing this game to do better than he did. I don't really care. It's just a matter of getting up there and making it myself. I'm not trying to compete with him or anything else."
Buzz manager Phil Roof, though, thinks comparisons are inevitable -- even if Ron Cey was a stocky third baseman and Dan Cey is a slender second baseman.
"I don't think he can deny that because once they see the name there's automatically an attachment. Is that Ron Cey's son? He has to live with that, but at the same time I think he knows his ability," said Roof.
"He's a college graduate (Cal-Berkeley). He's no dummy. He knows what's expected of him. He knows the reality of the baseball world -- that some make it and some don't. Some live up to be better than their dads, and some don't live up to being as good as their dads."
In the case of Ron Cey, the standard is pretty high. While hitting 316 career homers, he made appearances in six all-star games and four World Series.
"That would be hard to top," said Roof. "Dan's in an organization that doesn't have the money nor the talent or players that the Dodgers had when Ron was with them."
Even so, Roof continued, Dan Cey has an opportunity to make his own mark in baseball. Unlike his father's power-oriented game, Cey is more of a line-drive, all-field hitter. His attributes include speed, which makes him a threat on the basepaths.
"I guess it's a matter of about 25 pounds. I grew up in a totally different gene pattern than my dad did. I don't have his genetics. I passed him in height when I was like 14, and I've always been a skinnier-type person," said Dan Cey. "We're just two totally different types of players."
Family ties, however, aren't the only bond linking the Ceys together. Each has a great love for baseball. When Dan was just a youngster, he'd follow his dad to the ballpark and even on an occasional road trip.
"(Dan) always took to the game, and he always liked being around. He enjoyed being in the clubhouse and traveling on the road. He had a good time with us," said Ron Cey, whose son regularly inquired about going to the park, taking batting practice and playing catch. "It came from within. That was good and I'm glad it happened that way."
Though he has some memories of his father's storied career with the Dodgers, the 23-year-old Cey's fondest recollections came during his tenure with the Chicago Cubs.
"Even to this day, the best experiences I've had with baseball weren't even playing it. It was just hanging out in the clubhouse at Wrigley Field and other big league stadiums shagging balls," said Dan Cey. "Those were the best moments I have in baseball."
Roof said it's obvious father and son have a great relationship. Ron, who now works in the Dodgers front office, makes regular trips to see Dan play. He saw the Buzz play in Tacoma, Wash., earlier this season and has been to Franklin Covey Field for a pair of series. Whether its Class A Fort Wayne or Class AA New Britain, Ron Cey has found his way to the ballpark to see his son play.
"I've always been able to go and support him wherever he's been," said Cey, who admits having Dan just a two-hour flight away has been nice. "I want him to enjoy himself to the fullest, and wherever it is that he plays, I'll be there to support him."
Watching his son play, though, isn't easy. Cey said like any parent, it's hard not to put yourself in your child's shoes.
"You can't help but feel like you're right there with them," said Cey. "It's nothing more than a show of support really."