Family Business

wbdzgn · 05-15-2005, 11:20 PM

Found it interesting tonight to learn that Lance Niekro, son of Joe Niekro, nephew of Phil, has hit 5 homeruns in just 57 ab's for the Giants this year. With all these father/son combos in the league over the years (Boone's, Griffey's, Bonds'), does anyone think that some people are just born with the ability to play a sport/talent? I understand most players who come through make it with lots of practice, but is it possible to be born with the ability to swing a bat with consistency? I wonder what things will be like when people can start altering the genes of their babies, to make them anything they want.

sebastian0622 · 05-15-2005, 11:27 PM

Most studies say that athletes are (physically) at least 75% born and at most 25% made. So these athletes have the genes to be athletes physically, then add in that they often have the mental make-up as well from being raised by an athlete, and that explains a lot of the high success rates of athletic families.

wbdzgn · 05-15-2005, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebastian0622

Most studies say that athletes are (physically) at least 75% born and at most 25% made. So these athletes have the genes to be athletes physically, then add in that they often have the mental make-up as well from being raised by an athlete, and that explains a lot of the high success rates of athletic families.

Yeah, I can definitely see that. Now the question is, how would it translate into baseball? Do you think it is a mental ability that helps you play baseball, or a physical ability? Or maybe some rare abilities like hand/eye coordination?

Johnny Slick · 05-16-2005, 12:13 AM

It's really, really hard to separate nature from nurture. I saw a bio on Bret Boone that talked about how he literally played catch with his dad and granddad as soon as he was able to walk. For the Boones (or, for that matter, the Bells, the Hairstons, even probably the Fielders to some extent), that kind of thing is how they relate to each other. How many non-baseball families are like that?

UngratefulDead · 05-16-2005, 01:04 AM

Lance even throws a knuckleball, I hope Felipe throws him into a blowout sometime this year.

Skipaway · 05-16-2005, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Slick

It's really, really hard to separate nature from nurture. I saw a bio on Bret Boone that talked about how he literally played catch with his dad and granddad as soon as he was able to walk. For the Boones (or, for that matter, the Bells, the Hairstons, even probably the Fielders to some extent), that kind of thing is how they relate to each other. How many non-baseball families are like that?

Yeah, with a dad playing and coaching baseball, I'm sure Lance Niekro spent much more time practicing it than most kids, all with higher quality instructions.

Long_Long_Name · 05-16-2005, 10:59 PM

The Alous in baseball are a good example. The three brothers (the James anecdote in his Historical Abstract.... pure gold), Moises and Mel Rojas.

However... in North American pro sports, the Sutter brothers will always be special.

UngratefulDead · 05-16-2005, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipaway

Yeah, with a dad playing and coaching baseball, I'm sure Lance Niekro spent much more time practicing it than most kids, all with higher quality instructions.

And yet he still never learned how to take a walk.

05-15-2005, 11:20 PM	#1
wbdzgn Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 31	Family Business Found it interesting tonight to learn that Lance Niekro, son of Joe Niekro, nephew of Phil, has hit 5 homeruns in just 57 ab's for the Giants this year. With all these father/son combos in the league over the years (Boone's, Griffey's, Bonds'), does anyone think that some people are just born with the ability to play a sport/talent? I understand most players who come through make it with lots of practice, but is it possible to be born with the ability to swing a bat with consistency? I wonder what things will be like when people can start altering the genes of their babies, to make them anything they want.

05-16-2005, 10:59 PM	#7
Long_Long_Name Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montréal Posts: 7,065	The Alous in baseball are a good example. The three brothers (the James anecdote in his Historical Abstract.... pure gold), Moises and Mel Rojas. However... in North American pro sports, the Sutter brothers will always be special. __________________ Beta Baseball. Join it!

05-15-2005, 11:27 PM	#2
sebastian0622 Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 3,465	Most studies say that athletes are (physically) at least 75% born and at most 25% made. So these athletes have the genes to be athletes physically, then add in that they often have the mental make-up as well from being raised by an athlete, and that explains a lot of the high success rates of athletic families.

05-16-2005, 12:13 AM	#4
Johnny Slick Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,012	It's really, really hard to separate nature from nurture. I saw a bio on Bret Boone that talked about how he literally played catch with his dad and granddad as soon as he was able to walk. For the Boones (or, for that matter, the Bells, the Hairstons, even probably the Fielders to some extent), that kind of thing is how they relate to each other. How many non-baseball families are like that?

05-16-2005, 01:04 AM	#5
UngratefulDead Banned Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 3,415	Lance even throws a knuckleball, I hope Felipe throws him into a blowout sometime this year.