A family’s love was on full display Wednesday as Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Trevor Williams made his Major League Baseball debut with a triumphant win.
But as this tear-jerking video shows, there was perhaps no one in the crowd more unabashedly proud than his father, Richard.
The pleased pop broke down in tears as he enthusiastically embraced his son moments after watching the Pirates defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3, ending an eight-game losing streak.
Williams delivered the game’s final pitch before hurrying over to the stands to celebrate with his overjoyed family.
After planting a gentle kiss on his wife, Jackie, and their sleeping 11-month-old son, he embraced his father who was seen with tears streaming down his face.
Their back-slapping hug was surely one for the record books.
After wiping away a rush of tears, Williams handed the game ball to his father, who has collected them since high school.
“There’s no one else I would rather share that moment with than my dad. He’s been there since the very beginning,” Williams later told reporters.
Wednesday’s game came one day after he was called to pitch for the Pirates after playing for the minor league’s Indianapolis Indians. Williams said he didn’t think he’d share a moment with his dad better than that phone call.
“But I did. Seeing my wife there as well ― my uncle was here, one of my brothers ― then seeing my sleeping baby not knowing what’s going on, it’s one of those moments that truly I’ll never forget. I’m just glad I could help,” he said.
Williams’ wife expressed the same overwhelming love in her own statement posted to Twitter, where she said she’s “never been more proud of someone.”
“He works harder than anyone I’ve ever met and earned his way here. I can’t wait to watch his future unfold. It’s the greatest privilege to have walked this journey with him for so many years,” she wrote.
Williams later expressed his gratitude in his own Twitter post.
