Kris Bryant, father enjoy success together

Kris Bryant is the one playing in the Major Leagues and experiencing stardom, but that doesn't mean he's the only one reaping the benefits.

While Bryant is savoring life as a Major Leaguer, his father, Mike, is enjoying life as a proud parent.

"I like to say when he made it, I made it," Mike told CSN Chicago. "Now I'm going through everything that he's going through and that I didn't get to experience as a minor-leaguer and I never got there.

"So I'm going through it with him and I'm too old for this. This roller coaster, I can't handle it. Kris handles it. He's right there, he stays right in the middle.

"I've been blessed and lucky to have a kid like that and coach him like that."

Mike played a few years in the Minor Leagues, but never made it to the Majors.

However, on Monday night, he was on one of the brightest Major Leagues stages – pitching to his son in the Home Run Derby. For Mike, it was a dream come true.

"That's bucket list stuff right there," Mike said. "We talked about this when he signed, like, 'Kris, I know it's a little premature, but if you ever make the big leagues and you become an All-Star and you get invited to the Home Run Derby, I want to pitch to you.'

"He said, 'Of course, Dad. You've been throwing to me all my life.' I did OK out there and he did the best he could with the way I was pitching him. It was OK, but there's better BP pitchers than me."

As much as Mike enjoyed the experience, so did Kris.

"I didn't care if I won or lost or how many homers I hit," Kris said. "It was more of the experience and enjoying [it with my dad]. ... It was great. I wouldn't trade that for anything. Just getting to experience that with him.”

(h/t CSN Chicago)
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports