Inside the connection between NY Giants' Dante Pettis, his father and World Series
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Dante Pettis once dreamed of tracking fly balls just like his five-time Gold Glove-winning father did throughout his 11-year Major League Baseball career.
When he was in college, the New York Giants' wide receiver would visit the ballpark in Seattle whenever Gary Pettis, now the third-base coach of the Houston Astros, was in town.
That's when Dante lived out his fantasy of being just like Dad, shagging flies at the outfield wall, trying to rob home runs while showing off the family gene – even if he ultimately chose the gridiron instead of the diamond.
"I love baseball, it’s definitely still in my blood,” Dante told NorthJersey.com and Paste BN Network this summer. “But I’m a football player now. Still a baseball fan, though, a Gary Pettis fan, for sure.”
Which is why Dante will be watching intently from New Jersey on Tuesday night when his father and the Astros open the 2021 World Series at home against the Atlanta Braves.
He had a few friends over to his apartment last Friday night when the Astros clinched the American League pennant, and promised he'd be rooting like heck for a team that – let's be honest – isn't exactly a popular one around here.
Then on Sunday, one day after he turned 26, Dante went out and delivered for the short-handed Giants.
From throwing that pass to quarterback Daniel Jones, to catching a touchdown from him six plays later, Dante stepped up and made the most of his time in the spotlight of the Big Apple.
This is an emotional time for the Pettis family, given Dante's sudden contributions to the Giants and Gary's return to the World Series one year after announcing he had to leave the game temporarily to fight multiple myeloma, a blood disorder.
Gary returned to the Astros this summer, resumed his full-time coaching duties in late July, and now he's in position to win his second World Series ring in five years.
“My dad's definitely an inspiration for me, no question," Dante said. “He’s coached me all my life.”
That’s why Giants coach Joe Judge made a joke in his post-game news conference following Sunday's 25-3 victory over the Carolina Panthers that Dante might not be welcomed home for Thanksgiving dinner if he didn’t make a good throw on the play that Jones turned into a viral moment with a circus catch.
Of course, Gary and the Astros were not too far from Dante's mind.
When he scored the 5-yard touchdown, Dante offered up a tribute in celebration to Astros shortstop Carlos Correa by pointing to his wrist. That's what Correa did when he hit a home run against the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS, and the gesture meant, "It's my time."
"It's his time, just like it's Carlos' time," Gary, 63, told Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet SW on Monday when asked of Dante's post-touchdown shout out. "I absolutely loved it. The guys loved it."
The journey to football
Pettis gave up baseball as a sophomore in high school because of his commitment to football and basketball. It's not that he lost interest – the opposite actually – but his talent made the choice a relatively easy one.
Gary played for the Angels, Tigers and Rangers in his career, while Dante's uncle Stacey played in the minor leagues for seven years and became a scout for the Mariners and Cardinals.
Three days after Gary and the Astros won the World Series in 2017, Dante set a new NCAA record for punt-return touchdowns when he scored in the second quarter of Washington's 38-3 victory over Oregon.
Dante was a second-round selection of the 49ers in 2018, but he was waived last season after a disappointing start to his NFL career. The Giants claimed him, and he's earned the respect of his teammates and coaches with the way he has developed since.
“Every time Dante gets an opportunity to do something, he does it in a positive way,” Giants wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert said. “Doesn’t surprise me one bit when Dante gets in the game and he’s productive."
Dante spent the first six weeks on the practice squad, but he earned his promotion to the active roster when, as a game-day addition, he had five catches for 48 yards on a stunning 11 targets.
Against Carolina, Dante hauled in all five of his targets from Jones for 39 yards and that touchdown. Not surprisingly, though, his one pass garnered all the attention.
"I thought that was a dime if he would have kept running," Dante said with a laugh, poking fun at Jones and, presumably, his nickname Danny Dimes.
"He made a great catch, so I guess it worked out even better. Yeah, I thought it was a pretty good throw."
Running back Devontae Booker took the handoff from Jones and flipped the football to Dante, who reversed the field looking to throw, which he did. Jones made a lunging grab with his right hand, then settled the ball to his facemask while completing the catch, absorbing a big hit from Panthers safety Sean Chandler in the process.
"Just growing up, I could always throw pretty well," Dante said. "I guess [his father's baseball talent] just carried over."
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