Krynzel all smiles after chance to see his son make pro debut

Spencer Patterson

Friday, June 30, 2000 | 10:17 a.m.

Relaxing at home on June 16, the last thing on Dan Krynzel's mind was another long trip.

After all, he'd just flown back from Milwaukee, where he had watched his son David -- a Green Valley High product -- sign with the Brewers and interact with coaches, players and legends.

But as he studied David's upcoming schedule with the Pioneer League's Ogden (Utah) Raptors, Dan Krynzel suddenly realized he simply couldn't miss his son's professional debut.

So Krynzel jumped in the car with daughter Shannon and began a 14-hour trek to Butte, Mont., where the Raptors would open a four-game set the following night.

"I didn't want to miss it but when I found out it was a 14-hour drive, I wasn't sure," Dan Krynzel said. "Then I realized I had to see him play."

The decision proved a good one, as Krynzel saw David lead off, play center field and pick up his first pro hit (in just his second at-bat).

The self-employed Krynzel had such a good time, he opted to stay with the Raptors for the better part of two weeks, taking in 10 games and collecting a set of memories that will last a lifetime.

"When I quit playing ball, I wanted to have children who played professional baseball," Krynzel said. "To see it actually happen to one of them was extremely exciting."

Earlier this month, David Krynzel was selected No. 11 overall by the Brewers, becoming the third-highest draft choice in Southern Nevada history.

Krynzel and his father flew to Milwaukee, where the former Gators star received a $1.95 million signing bonus. He also got a chance to meet some of his big league heroes, including Hall of Famer Rod Carew -- who pitched batting practice to the Henderson resident.

"I couldn't believe Rod Carew was throwing to my kid," Dan Krynzel said.

David also got to meet Brewers front-office personnel and the team's current roster of players, including former Valley High star Tyler Houston, who shagged fly balls with Krynzel in the County Stadium outfield. He met with the media and talked with Brewers manager Davey Lopes.

But it was a former player with a .200 career batting average and 14 career home runs who captivated the Green Valley graduate most of all, according to his father.

"Bob Uecker, who does the Brewers radio games, walked up and David just started smiling. That guy is hilarious even when he isn't saying anything," Dan Krynzel said. "Later he interviewed Dave on the radio and it was extremely funny."

When the festivities in Milwaukee ended, David reported to Ogden while his father returned to Las Vegas. Two days later, they were reunited in Montana, where Dan Krynzel watched as his son took the field for the first time as a professional.

"It was almost like it wasn't real," Dan Krynzel said. "I couldn't believe it was happening."

Krynzel excelled from the outset, batting .368 with 12 RBIs in his first two weeks with his club. Touted as the fastest high schooler in the draft, he proved his speed with his first career home run -- an inside-the-park grand slam.

Krynzel is living with a host family in Ogden. His typical day involves a rigorous four-hour practice before games, with his team off just four days during the season.

He makes just $850 a month -- the standard salary for all rookie ballplayers. But his father hopes to supplement that income with some wise investing.

"Basically, I'm his business manager," Dan Krynzel said. "My philosophy is that the money he's going to spend is the money he makes off his investments, not the bonus money itself."

As for the rest of the 18-year-old's decisions, Dan Krynzel plans to leave those up to his son.

"I'll let him do his thing," Dan Krynzel said. "He's on his own now."