ARLINGTON, Texas — Rod Barajas, quality control coach for the Texas Rangers and former major league catcher, and his wife, Stacie, have built a unique family legacy both on and off the baseball diamond. Together, they have eight children whose first initials almost perfectly spell out the family name, Barajas, a serendipitous detail that has become a talking point among those close to the family.

The Barajas children are Andrew, 30; Bryce, 25; Aunalilia, 24; Rod Jr., 22; Jace, 20; Aubrielle, 19; Starlette, 14; and Emiko, 13. Although Emiko’s name does not start with a letter from “Barajas,” Rod affectionately refers to her as the family’s “exclamation point.” The couple shared that naming all eight children was not part of a deliberate plan to create an acronym, but rather a happy coincidence that they only became aware of several years ago.

Rod and Stacie agreed early on in their marriage to have a large family, with Rod even mentioning the idea of creating a “virtual baseball team” of their own. The couple has been married for 27 years, navigating the challenges of a nomadic lifestyle shaped by Rod’s professional baseball career. Barajas played for seven major league teams from 1999 to 2012, retiring in 2013 before transitioning into coaching, a role he has held since 2014.

The Barajas family currently resides in Orange County, California. Stacie, who is half Japanese, ensured that each child would have a Japanese middle name honoring her heritage, with Emiko carrying a Japanese first name meaning “beautiful blessing.” Inspired by their diverse backgrounds, the family embraces a blend of cultures and shared traditions.

Despite Rod’s frequent travels due to baseball commitments, he remains deeply involved in his children’s lives. Many of the Barajas children are athletes themselves — Jace pitches at Saddleback College, Rod Jr. is a catcher in the San Francisco Giants organization, Starlette competes in volleyball, and Emiko plays soccer. Rod makes a point of watching their games and maintaining daily communication, often FaceTiming with the younger children after his own games conclude.

Balancing the demands of a professional baseball career with family life has not been easy. Rod acknowledges the difficulty of missing key moments as his children grow, but emphasizes the mutual joy and enrichment they bring to his life, keeping him grounded despite his busy schedule. His approach to parenting is informed by his experience in baseball, teaching his children resilience and adaptation rather than simply focusing on success or failure.

Looking ahead, Rod Jr. recently received his first spring training call-up for a major league exhibition game, sharing a memorable moment on the field with his father when the Rangers visited Scottsdale, Arizona. For the Barajas family, baseball is not just a profession but a shared experience and a source of connection across generations.

As the family continues to support each other’s endeavors, their story reflects the interplay of sports, heritage, and the enduring bonds of family amid the demands of professional athletics.