Rod Boxberger had bragging rights in his home for years. Drafted 11th overall by the Houston Astros in 1978, Boxberger always liked to remind his son, Brad, that he was drafted higher than him.
Brad, drafted 43rd overall, finally got to strike back last year when he was promoted to Triple-A, something Dad never accomplished.
Now, the Tucson Padres closer, who has a 3.15 ERA in 20 innings this season, is one step away from the ultimate trump card - making it to the major leagues.
"He's always got me on the draft order, but now I've made it further than him in the game," said Brad before Tucson's 7-4 loss to Las Vegas on Wednesday night at Kino Stadium.
"But it's all in good fun. He's been there to support me every step of the way and hopefully on that next step I'll be taking soon."
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The younger Boxberger is in his first season with the Padres organization after being traded from Cincinnati in the offseason.
He was one of the prized prospects San Diego received from the Reds for starting pitcher Mat Latos.
The closer, who has struggled to get save chances with Tucson, thanks to its 19-34 record, has been a bright spot and has performed at the level the Padres were hoping.
After a rough start to the season, Boxberger is sporting a 1.64 ERA over his last 10 appearances and has 17 strikeouts in 11 innings. More importantly for him, he's stopped walking hitters.
He handed out eight walks in his first nine innings and has responded with just five over his last 11.
He hasn't made any adjustments on the mound and isn't preparing differently. The 24-year-old former USC standout is simply executing after getting comfortable in the Pacific Coast League.
The Reds' Triple-A affiliate in Louisville is in the International League, not known for its hitting like the PCL.
"He's gaining confidence every time he pitches," Tucson pitching coach Steve Webber said.
"He's very polished and has an explosive fastball.
"He's learning to command that pitch and has really turned it on lately. He's an easy-going guy who has been very easy to work with."
Boxberger's early season struggles may be the biggest reason he's still in Tucson. San Diego has used 13 different arms out of its bullpen this season and has given six different Triple-A relievers opportunities in the big leagues.
The early season adversity isn't the first time Boxberger has had to deal with struggles on the mound.
After having a 3.20 ERA as a freshman at USC in 2007, he followed up with a sophomore season that saw him sport a 6.12 ERA and a demotion to the Trojans' bullpen.
Then, in 2010, his first season with the Reds organization, he struggled again. After a successful start, Boxberger was promoted to Double-A and put up an 8.49 ERA in less than 30 innings.
"I think if everything in the minors was easy, it would make things a lot harder when you struggle in the big leagues," Boxberger said.
"It's a reality check to not have everything go your way.
"I think it helped me a lot as far as growing up and maturing within the game of baseball."
That's how it would appear.
"He had a seven-pitch save the other night," manager Terry Kennedy said.
"He's focused in and making his pitches.
"He's dangerous right now."
On StarNet: Catch up on the latest from Tucson's AAA team at: azstarnet.com/padresbaseball
Today
• What: Las Vegas at Padres
• Where: Kino Stadium
• When: 7:05 p.m.
• Radio: 1600-AM