Last Thursday, Oakland A’s outfielder Daz Cameron had a moment he will never forget before facing the Seattle Mariners. Prior to the first pitch, the 27-year-old, who was selected by the Houston Astros in 2015 Major League Baseball Draft, was informed that he would deliver the lineup card to the umpires before the game.
But unbeknown to Cameron, the man presenting the Mariners lineup card would be his father, Mike Cameron, who played 17 seasons (1995-2011) in Major League Baseball with eight teams, was a three-time Gold Glove outfielder and 2001 All-Star. The elder Cameron is currently the special assignment coach for Mariners, the franchise for which he played from 2000 to 2003.
So when the younger Cameron went to home plate and saw his father standing on the other side, it was a proud surprise.
“That’s how I found out,” said Daz. To see him at home plate in a big league stadium, it was inspiring. It’s something that I won’t forget. It was special for me…
“Nothing beats an actual regular-season big league game,” he continued. “To see him on the field, shake his hand and talk to him for a little bit before the game and exchange cards, that was cool to do.”
Daz and Mike shared a lighthearted moment.
“It was a casual talk,” Daz said. “After we exchanged cards, we said good luck to each other. The umpires were standing around just laughing.”
Cameron made his season debut with the A’s on May 23 and in his first big league game since 2022. He went 2-for-5 at the plate against the Colorado Rockies with a home run and two runs scored in a 10-9 A’s win in 11 innings.
Cameron can provide value to the team both at the plate and in the field. He can solidly play any position in the outfield and has shown the ability to hit for average and power. He made his MLB debut for the Detroit Tigers in 2020 and in three seasons with the organization played in 70 games.
Before joining the A’s this season, he put up some impressive numbers in the minors, appearing in 41 games and batting .307 with six home runs and 27 RBI for the Las Vegas Aviators, the A’s Triple-A affiliate.
In 11 games with Oakland this season with 35 at-bats before they went up against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, Cameron hadn’t yet found his groove, hitting .214 with a home run and four RBI. He is looking to establish himself on a team which last made the playoffs in 2020.