Pro baseball: Pitcher trying to follow his father

A son following his father's footsteps onto Major League Baseball's playing fields is far from unusual. At last count, more than 180 father-son combinations have played at least one big league game.

Kyle Hurst is attempting to join the list. Hurst's dad Bruce won 145 major league games, mostly for Boston and San Diego. The St. George native is best known for nearly pitching the Red Sox to the 1986 World Series title.

For Kyle Hurst, called up Thursday to the Salt Lake Bees to fill a roster spot in the bullpen, his dad is best known for giving support and guidance.

"When I told him last night, I don't think I ever heard him so excited," Hurst said before Friday's ball game with Fresno.

While father and son use the same arsenal of pitches -- curve, fastball and change-up -- there is one obvious difference between father and son. Kyle Hurst, drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 36th round of the 2008 amateur entry draft, throws right-handed.

Also, he has not had nearly the opportunity to display the tools of his profession. Hurst, 23, pitched in one game for Orem this season, allowing two runs and striking out three in two innings. Last season, Hurst went 3-2 with a 3.92 ERA overall in three games for the Owlz and 13 games for the Tempe Angels.

"I felt good in my one outing," Hurst said. "I felt it was a good platform to build from."

Hurst's relationship with his father mirrors that of Salt Lake pitching coach

Erik Bennett, himself the son of a former big leaguer. In fact, Bennett, whose uncle also pitched major league baseball, appreciates the benefits of having a father who understands the pressures of pitching professionally.

"You can always call home," he said. "There's always a pitching coach at home."

Bennett, like Hurst, never felt any pressure from dad to follow in his footsteps.

"It was just the old guys at home, sitting around the coffee shop," Bennett said. "He said, 'Do whatever you want to do.' "

Hurst's experiences echo that of Bennett.

"We have a great relationship," Hurst said. "He said, 'If you want to play, you have to do it for you.' He's very proud of me. He's got my back."

Hurst was only a year old when Bruce Hurst was toiling away for the Red Sox in 1986. In fact, the younger Hurst harbors more memories of hanging around the Padres' clubhouse.

"It still seems weird going into a clubhouse and seeing my name," Hurst said.

Three years ago, Hurst watched Game 7 of the 1986 series with his dad, who was seeing the game for the first time since pitching into the sixth inning and leaving with the score at 3-3 against the New York Mets.

"It brought back some emotion," Hurst said, adding that his dad doesn't talk much about the infamous Game 6, lost by the Sox after leading by three runs in extra innings.

However, the future belongs to Kyle Hurst. "I'm excited," Kyle says. "I feel confident."

martyr@sltrib.com