Former Phillie of the Day - Ozzie Virgil Jr.

Children often enter the same line of work as one of their parents. It's natural. They've seen mom or dad be successful and have grown up around the vocation, so it makes sense. Both of my parents were in education, and I considered changing my major in college so I could become a teacher.  But my dad convinced me to stick with journalism, convincing me I'd have a much more lucrative and stable career. Yeah. Thanks, dad.

There have been many sons who have followed their dads into the family business of major league baseball. Ken Griffey Jr. even got to play on the same team with his father, Ken Sr. Barry Bonds was the more famous son of Giants outfielder Bobby Bonds.

The Phillies have connections to the father-son phenomenon. Former manager Terry Francona's dad was a successful outfielder. The father of Bob Boone, starting catcher for the 1980 World Champion Phillies, Ray, was a two-time All-Star. Bob's sons Aaron and Bret, also played, and Bret was the first third-generation MLBer in history. Former Phils outfielder and broadcaster Gary Matthews' son, also named Gary, played for 12 seasons. Hall of Famer George Sisler's son, Dick, was an outfielder for the Whiz Kids of 1950. David Bell and his father Gus were also big leaguers.

Ozzie Virgil Sr. was the first-Dominican born athlete in the majors. His son, Ozzie Jr., is today's Former Phillie of the Day.

Young Ozzie was a sixth-round draft pick out of high school in Arizona in 1976 and was a catcher
. The younger Virgil could hit for for power, mashing 29 home runs in 1979 in the Carolina League (where he was league MVP that year) and 28 homers in 1980 for Reading of the Eastern League.

Virgil shared catching duties with Bo Diaz in 1982 and 1983 and became the everyday catcher in 1984. Virgil responded with 18 homers and 68 RBI in 141 games. In 1985, he made the All-Star tream and hit 19 HR.

He was traded to Atlanta in December 1985 in a deal that worked out well for both teams. The Phils got outfielder Milt Thompson, was a key part of the 1993 pennant-winning team, and reliever Steve Bedrosian, who won the Cy Young Award in 1987 with 40 saves. Virgil made another the All-Star team as a member of the Braves in 1987.