Edward Wayne Spiezio was born in Joliet, Illinois. He was a third baseman who played from 1964 through 1972 for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox.

His father, Edward Wayne Spiezio, Sr., an ironworker, was an all-around athlete. In particular, his father loved baseball and played semi-professionally. According to Sports Illustrated, his dad Edward Sr. put a catcher’s mask on Ed at an “alarmingly young age,” and stood him at the edge of the infield. He then hit blistering grounders over and over to his son. A daily two-hour session in the batting cage was also part of the training session. His father pitched and provided a running critique of his young son’s hitting. “Coil like a snake,” he instructed young Ed, “and then when the ball is close, explode.”

Strong quick wrists, an open, positive demeanor, and unwavering confidence made young Ed Spiezio an outstanding baseball prospect. Cardinals Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst once told The Sporting News that Spiezio was the “the finest looking young hitter” he had ever seen.

Ed spent five years with the Cardinals, played on three National League championship teams and two World Series winners (1964 and 1967). Notably, he also collected the first hit, first home run, and scored the first run in San Diego Padres history. This took place at Opening Game on April 8, 1969. In two separate years, he finished in the top 10 in MLB in range factor for a 3B.

He is the father of Scott Spiezio, a former MLB player… both of the Spiezio’s have won two World Championships, and both have won with the Cardinals.

(excerpted from Wikipedia, BR Bullpen, and SABR)