Red Sox, Rays fans can’t believe Carl Crawford’s son just got drafted
Fans of the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox had to grapple with the fact that Carl Crawford’s son, Justin, was just drafted by the Phillies.
There are several stages of aging as a sports fan.
It starts with looking up at the larger-than-life figures of your childhood. Then realizing you’re the same age as the pros. Then accepting that you’re quite a bit older than the “kids” you now see playing the game.
One of the hardest developments to come to grips with is seeing the children of your favorite sports stars take the stage.
Carl Crawford’s son just got drafted and fans are shook
On Sunday, Justin Crawford heard his name called by the Phillies in the first round of the MLB Draft. The 18-year-old outfielder is the son of former Rays and Red Sox star Carl Crawford.
His selection, along with a few other sons of ex-MLB stars, had fans of both teams looking around and wondering when they got so old.
If you want to feel old, Phillies just used their first-round pick on Justin Crawford, son of former Rays star Carl Crawford ...
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 18, 2022
Now, many of us can feel extremely old that Carl Crawford's son has been drafted by the Phillies https://t.co/j8BHNhxK7D
— The Good Phight (@TheGoodPhight) July 18, 2022
Watching Andrew Jones and Carl Crawford’s sons get drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft. pic.twitter.com/qJH356javR
— Tony Garcia (@RealTonyGarcia) July 18, 2022
*realizes Justin Crawford was 4 years old and probably doesn’t remember watching his dad in the 2008 World Series*
— Dan Wilson (@dan_wilson4) July 18, 2022
Me: pic.twitter.com/fzl6AneyQk
Carl Crawford was on the Red Sox 10 years ago, and his son was just drafted in the first round.
— Jon Wallach (@KenGriffeyRules) July 18, 2022
I am OLD.
You’re telling me Carl Crawford isn’t playing for the rays right now?
— Henny (@ArgeniFS) July 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/bj__smoove/status/1548838016277520384
Matt Holliday’s son Jackson was taken first overall by the Orioles. Andruw Jones’ son Druw went No. 2 to the Diamondbacks.
Holliday, Jones and Crawford weren’t even the only second-generation players to get picked in the draft. Pirates and Brewers utility man Lou Collier’s son Cam went No. 18.
At least Collier has been out of the league since 2004. Jones last played in the MLB in 2012 for the Yankees. Holiday’s final MLB appearance was in 2018. Crawford finished his career with the Dodgers in 2016.
It’s been a few years for each of them but it’s still wild to think they have sons old enough to get picked in the MLB Draft in 2022.
It would have been even wilder if Crawford had landed with one of his dad’s old teams. Carl was a four-time All-Star with the Rays. He was the first two-time All-Star in Tampa Bay history.
Ahead of the 2011 season, Crawford left the Rays to sign a $142-million contract with the Red Sox. His days in Boston were less-than-stellar, ending in a trade to the Dodgers. He made waves by criticizing the “toxic” environment in the city.
Had the Rays drafted Justin, he would have had the chance to renew the Crawford lore in Tampa Bay. If the Red Sox had picked him up, he’d have to deal with a whole lot of baggage from his dad’s time there.
Those are all hypotheticals as he gets to make his own way with the Phillies.
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