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Top Nine Best MLB Father-Son Combos

By Lou DiPietro

Baseball is America's pastime, and it's a sport that parents have shared with their children for many, many years. Dozens of father-son duos have played professional baseball, and there has even been one mother-son combo as well: former MLB utility man Casey Candaele and mom Helen Callaghan, who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

Two current Yankees, Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano, are the sons of former Major Leaguers, and on the verge of Father's Day, we take time out in this week's Niner to salute a selection of the top pops (and their offspring) in the history of Major League Baseball.

MEL & TODD STOTTLEMYRE

The former Yankees hurler and pitching coach teamed with son Todd to win 302 MLB games, becoming the first father-son pitching pair to reach the 300 mark. A second son, Mel Jr., also had a cup of coffee with Kansas City in 1990.
THE ALOMAR FAMILY

Dad Sandy Sr. spent three of his 15 MLB seasons in pinstripes, and later coached with the Mets. His offspring were even better, as Sandy Jr. was a .273 hitter over 20 seasons in the Bigs and little brother Roberto was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
THE ALOU FAMILY

Felipe and Moises Alou are the father and son in this case, but baseball was a full family affair for the Alou clan. Felipe's brothers Matty and Jesus, his cousin Jose Sosa, and nephew Mel Rojas all played in the Majors as well, with Matty and Felipe spending time in pinstripes.
THE BELL FAMILY

Grandpa Gus played from 1950-64, papa Buddy played from 1972-89, and grandsons David (1995-2006) and Mike (2000) ensured that there was a Bell in baseball in six different decades.
THE BOONE FAMILY

Like the Bells, the Boones are a three-generation threat who played over seven decades. Grandpa Ray (1948-60) was an infielder, son Bob (1972-90) was a catcher, and grandsons Bret (1992-2005) and Aaron (1997-2009) took after their grandfather.
BOBBY & BARRY BONDS

The elder Bonds spent 14 years in the Majors (including 1975 with the Yankees), and his son just happens to be the most prolific home run hitter in MLB history. Together, they've hit nearly 1,100 homers, and if you add in the 563 from distant cousin Reggie Jackson, that's a lot of mileage.
CECIL & PRINCE FIELDER

Proving the "like father, like son" mantra, fans first got a taste of Prince as a 12-year-old when he was hitting bombs out of Tiger Stadium in batting practice like his daddy. Cecil does have one thing his heir doesn't, though: a World Series ring, one he won in 1996 with the Yankees.
THE RIPKEN FAMILY

The name Ripken is as synonymous with Baltimore as crab cakes, mostly thanks to the legacy of Cals Senior and Junior. But brother Billy also spent seven of his 12 MLB seasons in Charm City, and a third-generation Ripken, Cal Jr.'s son Ryan, was selected by the O's in the 2012 Draft.
KEN GRIFFEY SR. & JR.

Ken Griffey Sr. won two World Series with the "Big Red Machine" in the 1970s, but likely the coolest moment of his career came in 1990 when he was signed by Seattle and inserted into the lineup in left field ... right next to Junior over in center.