Dust Devils manager Fred Ocasio was splashing around in the pool with his son when I called him today. It was his last day at his home in Tucson, Ariz., before he departed for Tri-Cities the next day.

He sounded happy. I'm sure it had something to do with hanging out with his son, but I think he's pretty excited to begin the Northwest League season.

We talked about this being his 11th season in Tri-Cities ("When you think about it," he said, "I should have bought a house that first year. I would have paid it off by now.") and how the area around Gesa Stadium has grown since the Dust Devils first arrived in 2001.

In a way, it's a little like how Ocasio has helped build the Dust Devils tradition up to where it is today. It was slow going in the beginning, with only a few players — Jeff Francis was the biggest name — making it to the bigs through the first five seasons.

But once that first slew of players had a chance to get some seasoning in the minors, a slow and steady trickle have reached the bigs every year.

So far, I've counted 31 players from the Dust Devils — not including rehab players — who have made it to the majors. And it's not going to stop anytime soon. Over the last two months alone, five players — Bruce Billings, Charlie Blackmon, Rex Brothers, Juan Nicasio and Aneury Rodriguez — have broken through, and I would be shocked if a few more don't make it before the season is over.

Freddie is as proud of that fact as any. He was there when they were at the beginning of their career, helping them work through struggles and find new ways to approach the game.

"It's great. Tonight we're waiting for the Rockies to play. In a half hour we're going to watch (former Tri-City starter Juan) Nicasio pitch," Ocasio said. "It's exciting because you had them, and now they're in the big leagues. That's what we're here for.

"Now you look at them and think, 'I remember when that guy couldn't throw a strike' or 'That guy couldn't lay down a bunt, and now look at him."

That's why I think being a manager sometimes is a lot like being a father. Ron Gideon, who managed here from 2002-2005, believed that was one of a manager's most important jobs. To not only teach them to handle themselves on the field but to be there for them off of it.

But it is fun when you win, too.

"When you win, it makes things easier. When you lose, it makes things tough. It's a long year but guys get better," Ocasio said. "I'm looking forward to going out there and having fun with the guys. We want to develop players, but we want to develop winners.

"We want to help the Rockies win a championship."

And one of these days, it might be a former Dust Devil at the center of a World Series title.