Editor’s note: Each year, the Star sports department contributes to thepc28Star Santa Claus FundProudfoot Corner.The drive allows children from financially disadvantaged families across the GTA to enjoy a gift box Christmas morning.Proudfoot Corner is our long-standing tradition of recognizing donors. And while we do, let’supdate a storythat went viral earlier in the year involving one of Canada’s best known sports broadcasters.
Rod Black and his wife Nancy had landed in Cancun on a spring Sunday and planned to be there for a week as the famed Canadian broadcaster hosted a high-profile conference for the Markham-based Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario.
Nancy’s birthday was coming up too, so it worked out nicely to have a few days in sunny Mexico.
But the next day, all those plans went out the window.
“We were at the beach and my wife looks at her phone and she’s got like eight missed calls from our son Tyler,” Black said. “I’m thinking it’s one of three things: he’s got traded, he’s got hurt or he’s got promoted— and I’m hoping it’s the last.”
It turned out he was right. After spending the first part of the season with the Triple A Nashville Sounds, Tyler had indeed gotten the big call at the end of April and was set to make his MLB debut aftergetting drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers three years earlier.
There was no guarantee he would play in any of the three home games against the Tampa Bay Rays, but the proud parents weren’t leaving anything to chance — even if it meant renting out a private jet “which would have broken my bank,” Black says.
After a lengthy scramble (both to find his replacement to run sessions at the conference and to book a flight and car rental) they ended up arriving just in time for the second game of the series on April 30.
No sooner had they settled in their seats when Brewers designated hitter Gary Sánchez pulled a hamstring running on the base paths in the first inning.
“All of a sudden Tyler pops out of the dugout and I’m going ‘holy smokes!’ ” said Black. “It happened so fast I don’t think he got time to be nervous or anxious.”
when a local TV reporter approached Black when his son was in the batter’s box. Tyler had already doubled in his first MLB at-bat. Sophia Minnaert asked Black if he wanted to call the action live. He hesitated for a second but agreed.
It doesn't get better than this!
— FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin (@FanDuelSN_WI)
Tyler Black's dad calls his son's hit in his major league debut. | |
“She timed it perfectly,” he said about the moment Tyler got his second base hit of the night as the proud dad called the play by play.
“I have been in sports my entire life but I don’t think I’ve ever been around a wholesome and pure moment quite like that,” said Black, who admits to watching that clip several times since. “The best moments are the unscripted ones, and that’s what makes sports just so intoxicating.”
Brewers won that game 8-2, Tyler got the post-game interview and the Gatorade dunk. He gave the baseball from his first hit to his mom as a present for her birthday — all great memories but pale in comparison to the TV moment.
“I hosted the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame ceremonies this summer and people were coming to me to express how much they loved that moment, and that’s what baseball is all about. It’s a lifetime sport,” said Black.
Tyler Black with his father Rod Black and mom Nancy after his first MLB game on April 30, 2024. She’s carrying the ball from Tyler’s first MLB hit.
Family photoTyler would go on to hit .204 in 18 games for the Brewers with two RBI and three stolen bases. Black attended at least five games in which his son played, and plans to increase that number next season. He would love to be there when Tyler hits his first major league home run, first triple or any other major milestone.
“The way Tyler’s trajectory has been, I’m very proud of him because he’s the hardest worker I have seen,” Black said. “Depending on what the Brewers have in their plans, I know one thing: wherever he plays, whatever position he plays in, he’s going to play like nobody else. He’s a great team guy, he’s a winner.”
On the Corner:We kick off this week with two donations from Patricia C. Huffman: $50 in memory of Paul O’Flaherty and $100 in memory of John Peanut and Kay O’Flaherty …Yuri Kula has been a friend to Proudfoot Corner for about 20 years and this year’s donation of $1,000 is in honour of the Star’s own Dave Perkins …Jerry Priddle gives $100 in memory of Norris McDonald, the Star’s motorsport columnist … More pc28Star representation from Jim Rankin who helps out with $250 in memory of Roz Paterson of North Bay … The FNHBogey+ chip in $75 as does Andy Cherniak… another $75 comes from A.K. Peters who gives in memory of “3 great friends, Mike Standen ‘95, Gord Cade ‘13 and Jack West ‘24” ... Gordon Little gives $105 in memory of Patricia ...We have $100 fromDeborah Boguskiwho gives in memory of Bette Hitchison.
We had many people giving $105 each including Ayan Sriskandarajah;Bob Nicholls;Lou and Brenda Vanderploeg;Ward Simpson;Maria Bastarachein memory of Leonard Auton;Laurie Nishida in memory of the Matsubayashi Family Boxing Day Tennis tournament;Peter Thomas in memory of his siblings;Bill Bennett in memory of Jim Bennett;James Moroz in memory of Peter J. Smeaton;Deanne Dowling in memory of Ed Dowling, Andrea Mackesy in memory of Annice Simpson and Dr. Jack Taunton; and Walt Snow on behalf of Mackenzie, Kaiden and Wyatt … There’s $125 from Lester Davies and $150 from Bernie and Dawn Rivait…John and Maureen Quinn help out with $560.
Brian McGarry donates $250 “for my grandchildren Yale, Kenzie and Dean” … Dan Bulger gives $1,000 …Frank Donovan gives $50 in memory of Randy …John Wylie donates $100 in memory of “my wife Fran” … Lawrence Joyce remembers Sharon Joyce with a donation of $35 …John Butkovich gives $100 in honour of his niece Ella Grace Butkovich, “who is starting a new year of hockey playing for the mighty North York Storm!” … another $100 comes from Alf Johnston who gives in memory of Curly …Jacqueline and Stan Sokol donate $300 in memory of Susan, Jeffery and Hanna (Gordon) Roche … we get $70 from J. Massarotto…Frances Henderson gives $35 in memory of Merritt Henderson … and finally this week, another $35 comes from Carl Harvey who donates in memory of “my Dear Gwen.”
Thanks to everyone for your continued generosity!
