Big Bro’s Outshine Their Lil Bro’s

Seven Major League Hitters
Who Played in the Long Shadow
of Their Older Siblings

BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher

Hank & Tommie

– AARON –

BIG BRO, HANK … LIL BRO, TOMMIE — For every 58 homers baseball legend Hank Aaron hit in the majors, Lil Bro Tommie hit just one (755 to 13). Other statistical comparisons between the two siblings are similar. Between 1962-71, Tommie played parts of seven seasons in the majors – all alongside Hank with the Braves. His rookie season was his best by far: Eight home runs, 38 RBIs, 20 doubles and a .231 average over 141 games. After that, he wasn’t used as much, but still managed to appear on seven Topps cards. Not sure why the Braves kept Tommie around so long. Perhaps because of Big Bro’s influence?

Cal & Billy

– RIPKEN –

BIG BRO, CAL … LIL BRO, BILLY — Like Big Bro, Hall-of-Famer Cal, Billy Ripken was an infielder. They played together on the Orioles for seven seasons. (Billy barely hung on for an additional five seasons with other teams.) While Cal left his mark by setting the major league record for consecutive games played and belting 431 lifetime homers, with 1,695 RBIs, Billy only left a slight scratch. In 2,700 at-bats, Lil Bro hit .247, with 20 homers and 229 RBIs. In hobby history, Billy is best known as the guy who deliberately posed for a baseball card photo with an obscenity clearly visible on the bottom of the knob of his bat (1989 Fleer).

Jose & Ozzie

– CANSECO –

BIG BRO, JOSE … LIL BRO, OZZIE — Jose and Ozzie Canseco were identical twins with Lil Bro born just one minute after Big Bro. Apparently, that minute made a world of difference. While Jose had a “juiced up” career that included 462 home runs, 1,407 RBIs and 200 stolen bases, Ozzie barely made a dent in big league ball. He played in just 24 contests over parts of three seasons, hitting .200, with no homers and four RBIs. According to internet sources, Ozzie has allegedly impersonated Big Bro Jose at some autograph shows. … Apparently, not only identical twins, but also identical jerks?

Graig & Jim

– NETTLES –

BIG BRO, GRAIG … LIL BRO, JIM — Minnesota drafted both Nettles brothers in the second half of the 1960s. Big Bro Graig played in just 121 games for the Twins (1967-69) before being traded. He went on to a 22-year career that included six All-Star games, two Gold Gloves and 390 home runs. Plus, he was a member of five World Series teams. Lil Bro Jim played sparingly for Minnesota (1970-72) and just a handful of games thereafter. Altogther, he hit .220 lifetime, with 16 homers over 587 at bats. He was a minor league manager for many years after his playing days ended. (Big Bro Graig’s Fleer card was a hot commodity in 1981 when the company initially issued it with his first name misspelled as “Craig.”)

Jason & Jeremy

– GIAMBI –

BIG BRO, JASON … LIL BRO, JEREMY — Jeremy Giambi (Lil Bro) had some success in the in the majors, but nothing compared to Big Bro Jason. Over six years, Jeremy played in 510 games, thumping 52 home runs, while batting .263. Jason, on the other hand, finished his 20-year career with 440 homers, 1,441 RBIs, a .277 average and was an MVP winner and five-time All-Star. Both of the brothers’ careers were tainted by admitted steroid use. … Big Bro first appeared on a card as a member of Team USA in the Topps 1991 Traded set. Meanwhile, Lil Bro made his card debut in several 1998 sets.

Eddie & Rich

– MURRAY –

BIG BRO, EDDIE … LIL BRO, RICH — Between them, Eddie and Rich Murray slammed 508 baseballs over the outfield fence in big league play. Unfortunately, for Lil Bro Rich, 504 of those homers came off the bat of Big Bro Eddie. The older Murray is a Hall-of-Famer with stunning stats that also include 1,917 RBIs (11th all-time) and 3,255 hits (14th all-time). … Over parts of two seasons with the Giants – 1980 and 1983 – Rich only hit .216 in 57 games. Lil Bro was included in just two of the major baseball card companies’ sets: 1981 Topps and Fleer.

Tony & Chris

– GWYNN –

BIG BRO, TONY … LIL BRO, CHRIS — In 20 seasons – all with the Padres – Tony Gwynn was a 15-time All-Star. He batted an astonishing .338 lifetime, with 3,141 hits and eight, count ’em eight, batting titles. His Lil Bro, Chris, was less successful. He played in 599 big league games with the Dodgers, Royals and Padres. In just over 1,000 at bats, Chris hit .261. He batted an even .300 in 287 at bats in 1993 … his best year. After their careers ended, Big Bro Tony became a college baseball coach, while Chris was a baseball scout for several years. When looking for Tony’s rookie cards, check out the 1983 Topps, Fleer and Donruss sets. Later, Chris first appeared on a shared “Prospects” card in the ’88 Fleer set.

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