Sarasota Official Caught In Tears On Camera Watching Son’s MLB Debut

SARASOTA, FL — Sarasota’s Emergency Manager Todd Kerkering recently had a “proud dad moment,” the Sarasota Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.

He was caught on camera in tears while cheering on his son, Otto Kerkering, who made his Major League Baseball debut for the Phillies. SPD shared the video from Philadelphia’s televised 5-2 win over the Mets. (Watch the video here.)

The 22-year-old relief pitcher took the mound during the eighth inning, striking out two of three batters.

“When your son, Orion Kerkering, makes his MLB debut and gets two strikeouts, there IS crying in baseball,” MLB wrote in a Facebook post.

Otto, a standout at Venice High School, pitched for the University of South Florida from 2020 to 2022. He was drafted by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB draft.

“Kerkering spent his first two seasons at USF in the bullpen before splitting time in 2022 between the starting rotation and closer role. His wipe-out slider and power arm paid huge dividends for the Bulls in 2021 as the team won the American Athletic Conference Tournament, the Gainesville Regional and advanced to the program's first-ever NCAA Super Regional,” according to a USF news release.

He started the 2023 season with the Phillies playing for Low-A Clearwater and moved through the ranks to High-A Jersey Shore, Double-A Reading and, most recently, Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sept. 18, USF said. Otto was called up to Triple-A on Sept. 18, earning a win in his first appearance two days later.

He was awarded Thursday the 2023 Paul Owens Award, given each year to the Phillies' top minor league pitcher. By Friday, he was called up by the big league club to Philadelphia.

"Orion's performance speaks for itself, but this award was won in the offseason with hard work," Preston Mattingly, Phillies director of player development, said. "Orion committed to improving all aspects of his game and it led to success and stops at all four affiliates. We are proud of the leader he has become and look forward to the bright future ahead."