HOUSTON — At HCU, the letters MLB are a part of this team's DNA.
On the Houston Christian University baseball team roster for head coach Lance Berkman, a six-time All-Star in the big leagues, is senior Tyler LaRue and sophomore Dylan LaRue.
"I was just at a junior college looking for hopefully a (Division I) program to fill into," said Tyler.
"(The) big thing for me was coming here just to improve my ability," added Dylan.
Their father, Jason LaRue, a Texas native, spent 12 years in the big leagues. He now spends a lot of time here, helping out at practices.
"I think we're on the verge of right now turning this program around and building it into something that it should be," said Jason LaRue.
That's two sons of one ex-big league catcher, if you're keeping score. And there's one more: Sophomore Luke Bard from Colorado. His father Josh played catcher for parts of ten major league seasons.
“I mean, I've been in a clubhouse since I was a kid,” said Bard.
No surprise: Luke, Dylan and Tyler are all catchers, too; though Tyler now primarily plays third or first.
"You have sons of former major league catchers. Do you believe that you need sons of former major league pitchers?” KHOU 11’ Jason Bristol asked Berkman.
“Well, it wouldn't hurt I'll tell you that,” said Berkman. “I'd love to have a few of them for sure. But the good thing about the sons of major leaguers, whatever the position is, they just have a different understanding of the game."
The sons agree.
“Think it's something that our dads have kind of ingrained in us since we were little,” said Dylan LaRue. “Not to, like, look at each specific game that will define your whole season.”
During the recruiting process, Berkman’s greatness as a player certainly appealed to all three players. Their fathers, interestingly enough, were never teammates of Lance’s, however.
"My dad has always had super high praise for him (Berkman) as a hitter," said Bard.
And their experience now? These three would likely describe it in one word: blessed.