Oh, brother! Zimmer homers off Zimmer
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It's every younger sibling's dream -- coming up to the plate against your big bro and going deep. Cleveland outfielder Bradley Zimmer can officially say he did so in the big leagues after hitting a solo shot off his older brother Kyle during Monday afternoon's 8-3 win over Kansas City.
The Royals reliever left an 84.5 mph slider over the plate and 28-year-old Bradley, two years younger than Kyle, did not miss it. It was his eighth homer of the season but probably one he'll remember for a long time.
"I’d say it’s a mix of emotions," Bradley Zimmer said. "I don’t necessarily pride myself just because I hit that off of my brother. Hopefully, someday, we’ll be on the same team. I’d like to be on the same team. It was fun. It was a little, I guess, redemption. He got me the first time, so I had to make it even."
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According to the Elias Sports Bureau, a brother homering off a brother has only happened three other times in AL/NL history in the modern era (since 1900):
Oct. 7, 1904: Naps' George Stovall off Tigers' Jesse Stovall
July 19, 1933: Red Sox's Rick Ferrell off Indians' Wes Ferrell
May 29, 1975: Astros' Joe Niekro off Braves' Phil Niekro
The younger Zimmer faced his brother two other times this season, striking out once and walking once. They shared a fun moment walking off the field after that free pass when Bradley gave Kyle a friendly shove near home plate.
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In the brothers' first big league meeting on July 11, it was Kyle Zimmer who came out on top. Bradley came to bat after his big brother had given up three consecutive hits, and at that moment he was looking to take advantage.
“He’s on the ropes. You got to bury him there,” Bradley said at the time. He ended up striking out on a 95 mph fastball. Clearly Kyle thought the fastball was his bread and butter against his brother again on Monday, starting him off with consecutive heaters. Kyle took the first for a ball and swung through the second, but he was not fooled by the offspeed pitch that came next.
Now the brothers are even, and even if they don't get to face each other again in the next three days as these two teams finish off their season series, there will certainly be a lot to discuss over Thanksgiving dinner.