Moore than a Legacy: A Father-Son Bond Rooted in America's Pastime

(Reading, PA) - Fightin Phils infielder, Robert Moore grew up attending spring training every year with his dad, Dayton Moore, who began working in Major League Baseball in 1994. Today, the father and son hold a tight-knit bond stemming from America’s favorite pastime.

Dayton Moore began his professional career in the MLB in 1994 as a scout for the Atlanta Braves and was later promoted to the baseball operations department. He became the Kansas City Royals general manager in 2006 through the 2021 season. He was the GM for the Royals during the team’s American League championship in 2014 and 2015 World Series title.

Today, Dayton is a Senior Advisor of Baseball Operations for the Texas Rangers, as he took on the position in September 2022. Dayton and his wife Marianne have three children, Ashley, Avery, and Robert.

“Getting to go to spring training is always what we looked forward to as a family the most,” said Robert in an interview with R-Phils broadcaster, Jake Starr. “He would always bring me around and I would get to hang out on the minor league fields and bring me to Royals games… about 20-30 a year. It was a lot of fun.”

In Robert’s early years, Dayton coached his youth baseball team from 9U-13. As Robert began developing as a young player, Dayton had to balance coaching his son as a father, in contrast to scouting and analytics as an executive.

“I’m always trying to find the right balance,” said Dayton. “At the end of the day, you want to be a great support and encourager for your son and for your children in whatever their passion is… I certainly made my share of mistakes, and when I did make those mistakes I was always quick to ask him to forgive me.”

Dayton emphasized the importance of players' identities off the baseball diamond. “Allow this great game that we all share and love, use it as a platform to grow you in leadership areas and ways that help you become that son, brother, father, and husband someday.”

Fast forward to college, when Robert decided that he did not want to go far from the family’s home in Leawood, Kansas. He attended the University of Arkansas, which is three hours from home. The 22-year-old was the first Razorback in program history to win a Gold Glove Award from ABCA/Rawlings. He played in 142 games for the Razorbacks and slashed.264/.381/.486 with 142 hits, 26 homers and 14 stolen bases over his career.

In June 2022, Robert received a call that every player dreams of receiving. The Milwaukee Brewers were drafting him. “It was pure joy, I celebrated with the family… it's a moment that I’ll remember forever.”

Dayton has made this call to athletes hundreds of times in his career. He reflected on his experience being on the receiving end as a father when Robert got the call. “It's a special special day when you get a chance to draft a player and sign a player and be able to follow them in their evolution through the minor leagues and hopefully the major leagues, so just very rewarding,” said Dayton. “I just want to be a great support for him, always tell him the truth, but you can tell the truth in an encouraging and positive way.”

Robert spent his first two professional seasons playing for the Brewers rookie, Low-A, and High-A teams. Last November, Robert was traded to the Phillies, along with Jersey Shore’s Hendry Mendez, in exchange for Oliver Dunn. Although it was difficult to leave an organization that kick-started his pro-career, he saw a silver lining. He felt wanted and looked forward to the opportunity to meet new people and further develop in a new organization.

Today, Dayton and Robert remain close and prioritize their relationship amidst their busy schedules. Dayton makes it a priority to come visit Robert play two or three times a month. “We’re blessed to love baseball and to be able to share that with one another is very rewarding… This is his career and his dreams and I just want to be a character in his story.”