Bream boys making name for themselves
JACKSON TWP — Sid Bream played on a couple of National League pennant winners during a 12-year major league career.
His sons know something about championship hardware as well.
Tyler Bream, a 2008 Seneca Valley graduate who just completed his junior season as a third baseman at Liberty (Va.) University, was part of a state championship team with the Raiders in 2007.
Younger brother Austin is a junior first baseman on the current Seneca Valley team that captured the WPIAL crown earlier this week.
Their baseball success has been keeping Dad busy.
While watching Austin play in the WPIAL semifinals, Sid was receiving text messages on how Tyler was faring in the Big South Tournament last week.
“It's a little crazy, but it's a lot of fun,” Sid Bream said. “Baseball was never pushed on these guys, but they grew up around the game and they took to the game.
“Both are athletic kids and they love sports.”
Neither particularly remembers his father's big league career. Tyler was five years old in 1994, when his father played his final professional season.
“My dad is a phenomenal dad,” Tyler said. “We could have pursued any interest we wanted and he would have supported us. That interest just happened to be baseball.
“He watches Austin play during the week, then comes down to wherever we were playing on weekends.
“There was never any added pressure playing ball with the last name Bream. But there were expectations. Every time I'd move up a level, it was like, ‘There's the new kid. His dad was in the majors. ... He must be good,'” Tyler added.
Regardless of the reason, Tyler and Austin Bream are good.
Despite a bit of an off-year this spring, Tyler may be selected in Monday's amateur draft. He hit .252 with three homers and 33 RBI, striking out 51 times in 226 at bats.
But as a freshman and sophomore, he hit .337 and .357, respectively, with a combined 114 RBI, 91 runs scored, 38 doubles and 17 home runs.
“He's had his struggles this year, but baseball will do that to you,” Sid Bream said. “Tyler can play this game. He'll continue to get better.”
A business management major, Tyler has never been a teammate of Austin's. They are four years apart in age and since moving on to college ball, big brother has rarely even seen little brother play.
“I keep in touch with how he's doing. And I know he's coming here,” Tyler said.
Sid Bream was an All-American baseball player at Liberty from 1979-81. Tyler and Austin's uncles, Sheldon and Dave, also played there.
Tyler is a teammate of cousin Doug Bream — who hit .349 this season. And Austin is already committed to going there.“Liberty has become a part of our family,” Sid Bream said. “That's about so much more than baseball. We like the Christian values and what the school stands for.”Austin Bream, who bats sixth in the Seneca Valley lineup, said he's fortunate to know his collegiate destination so early.“Any baseball player wants to play college ball,” he said. “I've never felt any differently than any kid who doesn't have a father who played pro ball.“My dad worked with me on the fundamentals of the game when I was a little kid, but a lot of fathers do that with their sons.”Austin plays basketball with the Raiders and may move to the outfield next year.“He's probably the most athletic one in the family,” his father said. “Austin not only grew up with my last name, he had to follow in Tyler's footsteps everywhere he played.“But he's always been a grounded kid who knows how to be himself.”Raiders coach Eric Semega is just happy the Bream boys grew up in the Seneca Valley district.“No. 1, they are great people,” Semega said. “They're always respectful and they love the game. Sid prepped them well, helped coach their Little League teams, then left the coaching to their other mentors as they got older.“He allowed his sons to learn the game from different people in different ways. That's good for any kid.”Tyler and Austin continue to develop as players. Tyler admits he's a “free swinger” who needs to cut down on his strikeouts.“I definitely need better plate discipline if I'm going to succeed at the next level,” he said. “The spiritual side of this (Liberty) school, influencing me as a Christian in knowing what to live for, is more important than happening to have a competitive baseball program at the Division I level.“I'll take my shot at pro ball. If it doesn't work out, I know God has a plan for my life.”Austin isn't quite as focused in on his individual playing career — yet.“Just help the team win championships ... That's what I'm here for,” he said.So far, so good.
