It’s great when children follow in their parents’ footsteps. It’s even better when they share common positive traits. As is often the case with broadcasters, most fans seem to favor the older generation for whatever reason.

Whether by design or by listening for years, the kids often sound like their Dads or granddads. The Brennaman’s have a similar twang, the Kallas’ a notable tonal quality and the first three generations of the Caray clan had similar cadence, although Skip (the middle guy) didn’t sound like he was smiling.

The highest compliment I can pay to Tony Gwynn Jr, is that he sounds so much like his dad, Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn. He’s not trying to imitate his dad, but like his dad, his first inclination is to laugh. His voice and laugh aren’t quite as high-pitched, but the tonal quality is there. As a kid who spent a lot of time with his dad during Sr.’s playing career, it’s no surprise that his personality and the way he treats people is reminiscent of his father’s behavior.

I was lucky enough to spend time around Jr. when he was in the Brewers organization back in the early 2000s. He was a career .238 batter whereas Dad was a .338 hitter. He obviously couldn’t compare as a hitter, but the way he carried himself made Dad proud.

Every single time I see Mr. Padre airing on the network, I tune in just to see and hear Tony. He was that charismatic. He made everyone within listening distance smile. Watching and listening to Jr. call a game is almost is a very enjoyable experience and not just because he sounds like his dad. He’s his own man, but had two great role models.