MLB is known for its sold-out stadiums and multimillion-dollar contracts. For the outside world, it’s a dream life with all those charter flights and all the glitz that follows the players off the field. But behind the scenes, it’s altogether a different story. The days are packed with stress, sacrifice, and solitude.

This is a world where the uniform looks easy—until you realize that the daily dial spins at 160 miles per hour and the calendar says ‘162 games’ with no way to turn it off. It’s a great existence, but it also demands sacrifices. Fans often miss the grit even when they can see the glitter. The deeper you look, the more you realize that time, travel, and the hidden costs of being a pro athlete come to light. The hotel rooms become players’ homes, and they spend more time at airports and ballparks than with their families.

The idea that players just ‘show up and play’ is probably the most common misunderstanding. The Athletic’s annual MLB Player Poll finally addressed an unheard side of MLB players. They talked, and those words carry emotions. One National League pitcher said, “I don’t know if fans realize that when we say we spend more time with our teammates than our families, we’re not exaggerating. It’s not even close. That’s why I say if you want to be a good dad, a good husband, it’s not easy.” The personal cost underlying the shiny surface of MLB.

We have seen a fair number of highly lucrative contracts. But can they buy the time players have lost? That’s precisely what another National League pitcher mentioned. He said, “I haven’t seen my mom on her birthday in 17 years. Little things like that that matter to me. People are like, ‘Yeah, but you’re getting paid, you’re getting treated great.’ . . . I’ve missed so many things for so many years.” Everything can’t be measured in dollars.

There are times when baseball’s never-ending grind stops for something much more important than roster notes and game stats: being a dad. These pictures aren’t simply nice little extras, but strong reminders that family is more important than everything else.

Balancing the big league and baby steps: MLB Fathers steal the spotlight off the field

We saw a tug-of-war in mid-May when Alex Cora took his time off. Remember when he attended his daughter’s graduation? He faced a handful of criticisms, but didn’t think twice when questioned about leaving the game. He said, “We all have families, we all have principles. This is my job, this is not my life. My life is my family.” The classic Cora reply!

On the other hand, Francisco Lindor was running from the field to the baseball field in New York. A game at Citi Field was cut short because of rain in late May, which gave the Mets infielder barely enough time to get to his daughter Kalina’s ballet performance. Lindor snuck into the performance hall just as the curtain was about to rise, still in his uniform. He got there just in time to see his little daughter shine. His wife, Katia, shared the event on Instagram, showing a private, unscripted moment that had nothing to do with hits or defensive plays and everything to do with being a dad.

These two times show how much is at stake for the individual behind the public face. They are the kinds of experiences that no major league inning can match, whether it’s a graduation ceremony or a ballet recital.

These together show a more profound truth: behind every manager’s decision and every player’s swing is a parent trying to combine work and family. A dad picked a cap toss for a bullpen signal in one place. Conversely, a shortstop gave up sprinting the bases for ballerina twirls. Both events fit into the greater story: family moments are what matter, even when there are stadium lights and seasonal marathons.