As Major League Baseball teams open spring training, we will be rooting for one player in particular.
Trey Benton, son of Rick Benton, has reported to Cleveland Guardians camp in Goodyear, Ariz., looking to impress the reigning American League Central Division champions.
Last year, the 24-year-old Benton pitched for the Lake County (Ohio) Captains, the high-A affiliate of the Guardians. The right-handed reliever finished his season with a 3-3 record and a 2.08 earned run average.
Rick Benton, vice president of sales and marketing for Whiteville, N.C.-based BTS, said his son is "looking good."
Trey Benton played his college baseball at East Carolina University, graduating from the ECU School of Business. The Indians drafted Benton in the 15th round of the 2019 draft.
Hopefully one day Benton will follow former Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, also the son of a tire dealer, into the Major Leagues.
Pedroia, as many MLB fans will remember, played 14 seasons (2006-2019), winning the American League (AL) Rookie of The Year Award in 2007 and AL Most Valuable Player and Silver Slugger Award in 2008. He was named to the All-Star team four times.
And speaking of the tire industry ties to Major League baseball, there are two more on the Guardians.
Josh Naylor and Bo Naylor are the sons of Chris Naylor, who works with Dynamic Tire Corp. in Brampton, Ontario. The Naylor family hails from nearby Mississauga, Ontario. Josh is a powerhitting first baseman and outfielder, while his younger brother, Bo, will compete for a major league roster spot as a catcher.
Be sure to check out our special online only section on the wholesale market.
The package will include several wholesale-related stories as well as our annual list of Major Wholesalers by Region.
Be sure to look for that at tirebusiness.com in late March.