Kumar Rocker is set to make his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers this Thursday, and his dad, Tracy Rocker, the defensive line coach for the Tennessee Titans, will be there to cheer him on. This marks a historic moment as Kumar will become the first player of Indian descent to step onto the MLB field.
Tracy’s journey as a parent has been impactful; his wife, Lalitha, has family roots in the U.S. going back to 1965 when her parents immigrated here.
After the game, Tracy plans to rush back to Nashville to ensure he’s on time for the Titans’ practice leading up to Sunday’s home opener against the New York Jets.
Support for Kumar and Tracy has poured in from the Titans’ community as well. “I’m thrilled for the Rocker family,” said Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. “He’s both a great coach and an incredibly proud father at this moment.”
Kumar’s path to the big leagues hasn’t been easy. He was a standout at Vanderbilt University and was selected 10th overall by the Mets in 2021 but didn’t sign due to medical issues. The Texas Rangers drafted him third overall in 2022, and after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023, he’s worked his way back with impressive results.
“He’s had a tough journey, but his hard work shows,” said Rangers manager Bruce Bochy. “His numbers are impressive, and we’re excited to see him get this opportunity.”
Throughout 10 minor league games, Kumar has maintained a stellar 1.96 ERA. In his last two rehab starts with Triple-A Round Rock, he notched 18 strikeouts over 10 innings. Overall, he has 47 strikeouts and only four walks in 29.2 innings across his minor league appearances.
“Forget being a coach; right now, he’s just one proud dad,” Wilson added. “For him to watch his son make his MLB debut after all the struggles he’s faced is a remarkable moment.”