Brian Fuentes, 31, is a closer for the Colorado Rockies baseball team. His son, Giovanni Paolo, was born May 4, 2006.
How did fatherhood change your perspective?
I think the biggest thing is that it puts your priorities in perspective. You kind of realize how selfish a person you really are. I never really considered myself selfish, but when you have a child that comes into your life all of your attention goes that way. It makes you go, “Wow.” That makes you happy, fulfilling the needs of your child.
What’s the coolest part of being a dad?
Seeing his smile in the morning. He wakes up in his crib and has a big smile. Then he jumps into your lap and it warms your heart. He’s 15 months, and he’s all over the place, a go-getter.
How does it influence your life as a ballplayer?
I have always been a hard worker. I work hard for teammates and now my family. I am a provider. I do this because I enjoy it and it’s how I make a living. I want to be able to provide for him, anything he wants.
What’s the impact of fatherhood on your relationship with your wife?
I think it’s made it better. We were married for three years before he came into our lives and we dated for three years before we got married so we had plenty of time just the two of us. We were ready to expand our family. Once he’s come along, when we have quiet time, we ask ourselves, “What are we supposed to do?”
What’s the meaning of Father’s Day to you?
It’s a day to appreciate being a father and my father. I had a positive role model in my life. I strive to do that. I was telling my dad the other day that I kind of took it for granted. He did a great job, and you expect it. And once you become an adult, you realize there are a lot of kids who didn’t have that positive impact in their lives and they have problems and issues because of it. I was fortunate.
– Troy E. Renck, Denver Post national baseball writer
