Like father, like son.
And on Father’s Day 2025, Torey Lovullo wouldn’t have it any other way.
The D-backs’ skipper got a call from his son Nick a bit earlier than expected Sunday. He had already gotten a “Happy Father’s Day” text in the morning, but a full-blown call seemed odd, considering he was supposed to be managing the High-A South Bend Cubs during their matinee game in Fort Wayne, Ind.
"He said, 'Dad, happy Father's Day, I have a great Father's Day present for you,’” Torey Lovullo said of his conversation with Nick. “I'm like, ‘What do you got, man?’ … He's like, 'I got thrown out of the game for you.'”
Well, that’s a unique gift. If nothing else, the younger Lovullo paid homage to the elder’s tirade from May 14 when he pantomimed ejecting an entire umpiring crew during Arizona’s game that day in San Francisco. Nick, for his part, “threw out” just one ump before being told to hit the showers.
Lest umpires fear that there is a particular play that happens between the white lines that draws the ire of the Lovullo clan, the two incidents were distinct enough. Torey’s came on an obstruction play, where he was incredulous that a judgment call went against his club, while Nick’s came after South Bend’s second baseman, Rafael Morel, dove headlong to try and make a catch, only for it to be ruled to have hit the ground. Fort Wayne wound up tying the score later that frame and went on to win, 5-4.
Managers of baseball clubs, they’re just like us. Even if they bond in unique -- and sometimes demonstrative -- ways.