Big League Dads.

Two of my favorite things are baseball and being a father (not necessarily in that order).

So when I heard about a campaign between Major League Baseball and my friends at Dove Men+Care, I wanted to help spread the word.

As a kid, I idolized guys like Mike Schmidt, Wally Joyner, Mark McGwire and Frank Thomas.  My room was plastered with player posters and torn-off front covers of Beckett’s baseball card price guides.  I think it’s important to have role models to look up to.  My dad was one.  He taught me how to throw, hit and field and we spent many summer nights watching the Philadelphia Phillies together.

Years later, I’m still watching baseball every night, now with my own kids…

…and extremely happy to see an emphasis on fatherhood.  Not only are there some exemplary athletes playing today, a lot of them are also dads.

The campaign between MLB and Dove Men+Care is called #BigLeagueDads (MLB.com/DoveMenCare) and each week a new group of baseball’s most popular players will be shown in a whole new light – opening up about fatherhood and how they care for what matters most – via a 10-week behind-the-scenes, custom video series on MLB.com.

This recent video features Ben Zobrist of the Tampa Bay Rays (father of 2), Torii Hunter of the Detroit Tigers (father of 4) and Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox (father of 1).

Apart from seeing a different side to your favorite players, they’re also running a contest until October 30th on Instagram.  Simply follow @MLB and @Dovemencare on IG and tag them with your latest picture of you and your kids from your favorite park around the country.  By doing so, you enter yourself to win tickets to 2014 Opening Day!

With only a few games left, I’m headed to Philly this weekend to watch our final homestand against the New York Mets – hope you guys enjoy this first video and keep checking back for more.