It all started with a bobblehead
By Mike Sear
Editor’s Note: January 7th is National Bobblehead Day. What does that have to do with La Vida Baseball? Read below to find out.
The Calderón familia is La Vida Baseball.
This Puerto Rican clan has been featured several times in La Vida Baseball stories. They’ve never produced a Big Leaguer. Never had a family member enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Never had a “likeness” produced on a bobblehead. But if it wasn’t for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and a very special bobblehead, we would never have met them, and neither would you, and that would have been a shame.
Our story begins in 2017 in Miami, host city for the 2017 All-Star Game. Hall of Fame inductee Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez was honored during the ceremonies, but we took this “Pudge” bobblehead on a special trip around town, and he was a hit!
Two weeks later we replicated that experience for “Pudge” in Cooperstown during induction weekend. He left quite an impression.
While shooting in the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum, we met Jorge Calderón, Jr. and his father, Jorge Sr. who were gracious enough to and stop and pose with “mini-Pudge.”
The more we spoke with the Calderóns the more we became captivated by their story. Jorge Sr. lives in San Juan. His son Jorge Jr. lives in San Antonio, Texas. His two sons, Jorge III and Eduardo, were living in Dallas. But for one weekend in late July they made the pilgrimage to Cooperstown, N.Y. to celebrate their love for béisbol and their fellow Puerto Rican: Pudge Rodríguez.
They reminded us how baseball can be the glue that holds families together. We featured their story in our Fanaticos series.
Two months later Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico.
So many people in the United States saw the devastation, but few could really feel it. That’s when Jorge Jr. stepped up to the plate. He wrote an inspirational and heartbreaking narrative about the state of mind in his homeland.
Cleaning up the aftermath of Maria was a treacherous and agonizing task, but the Calderóns, like so many Puerto families, found baseball as natural pain relief. One year later, during the 2018 playoffs, we checked back in with the Calderóns to see who they were cheering for.
“[My father] wanted Boston to win because the historical achievement for Cora was more important to him as a Puerto Rican, and, frankly, more important to baseball, than an Astros repeat.”
One month later, pictures of Jorge Sr. appeared all over social channels. He has business and friendships in the town of Caguas, and guess who he ran into? If players and managers wonder if they really make an impact on fans, just look at the smile on Jorge Sr.’s face!
“We’re just fans of the game and the players and the stories behind it,” he said. “Whether they get to the Hall of Fame or not. It’s hard to be a player at that level. The journey that takes you there, whether you’re an All-Star or a guy who just makes the roster, we admire the journey and celebrate it and love the game.”
A legendary trip to Cooperstown.
The devastation of Hurricane Maria.
The joy of Álex Cora’s return to Caguas with World Series trophy.
Today is National Bobblehead Day, and we think it’s the perfect time to say thank you to a familia that represents La Vida Baseball.
Featured Image: Courtesy Jorge Calderón, Jr.
Inset Image (statue): @shawtylilyami / Twitter
Inset Images: Courtesy Jorge Calderón, Jr.