Cirillo Treasures His Wake-Up Calls at 2 in Morning

Here’s the ultimate question for third baseman Jeff Cirillo of the Milwaukee Brewers: What is tougher, trying to hit a Randy Johnson fastball or changing the diapers of his 8-month-old son, Cole?

“Hitting a Johnson fastball,” Cirillo said. “The thing is, [changing diapers] is almost like a habit. It’s like brushing your teeth. You do it every day and you get in good form.”

Cirillo, a 28-year-old who played at Providence High and USC, has become one of the National League’s most consistent hitters. He’s batting .314 with 39 multiple-hit games.

Most importantly, he’s still full of energy. Late in the season is usually when Cirillo starts to struggle after mentally beating himself up for months worrying about his hitting.

Fatherhood, however, has changed the way he approaches not only his job but life.

“It’s made me a better person, a happy person,” he said. “You don’t know the greatness of having a kid. You don’t know what a great gift it is. Sometimes when people have kids, it gets stressful, but I think it’s been opposite for me. It’s made me relax.”

Never has Cirillo enjoyed life more than since the birth of his first child on Dec. 23, 1997. For seven weeks, before leaving for spring training, he was in charge of Cole’s early morning feedings.

“That was our bonding time, 2 a.m. in the morning,” Cirillo said. “I loved it.”

The toughest part now is going on 10-day trips. While his wife, Nancy, takes care of Cole, Cirillo brings a photo of his son to keep next to his hotel bed.

“Just looking at his picture puts a smile on my face,” he said.

Sometimes Nancy will bring Cole to the phone when Cirillo calls, but that can be hazardous to the phone.

“He’s already broken the cordless phone by sucking on the end of it,” Cirillo said.

For home games, Cirillo will take care of Cole in the morning, leave for the ballpark in the afternoon, then return after 11 p.m. and quietly creep along a wooden floor into Cole’s bedroom, trying not to disturb him.

“If you make a noise, he’ll get [upset],” Cirillo said. “He’s like his old man--he doesn’t like to get waken up.”

To prepare for fatherhood, Cirillo has read books by parenting experts. He also reads to Cole, “How many trucks can a tow truck tow?”

“It’s different than anything you’ll ever experience,” he said. “For me, it’s really put this game into perspective. Before, I used to take it home and live or die with how I did or how our team did.

“Now I’ve been able to channel my energies both ways. When I get home, I’m disappointed if we lose, but at the same time, I see my boy sleeping, I know his whole life is based around my wife and myself comforting him and taking care of him. It’s the best feeling seeing him sleep and knowing I’m there to protect him.”

Reaching the major leagues was not easy for Cirillo. He attended a small Catholic high school in Burbank and spent countless hours trying to convince skeptics he could play at a big-time university. Then, after excelling at USC, he had to show he possessed the skills to play in the majors.

Proving people wrong has served as powerful motivation throughout his athletic life.

“It’s kind of given me a driving force, an ‘I’ll-show-you’ attitude,” he said.

Last season, his fourth in the majors, Cirillo was selected to the American League All-Star team.

He signed a four-year, $12.65 million contract extension.

“Baseball is what I am,” he said.

But becoming a father has made him realize there are other important responsibilities.

“Instead of being selfish, you become selfless,” he said.

Cirillo’s wife says he’s not only a good diaper changer.

“He’s a great dad,” she said.

Nancy, however, is enjoying a little more influence over Cole during the baseball season.

“He’s already saying, ‘Mama,’ ” she said. “That’s one of the advantages of being home. I got to teach him that first.”