'Super surreal': Jace Jung powers Tigers to sweep with brother Josh in stands

CHICAGO -- A fan sitting in the suite level of Guaranteed Rate Field pulled out his phone to take a picture in the second inning on Monday. Tigers third baseman Jace Jung was digging into the batter’s box for his first at-bat against White Sox starter Davis Martin.

This was not an ordinary Tigers fan capturing that moment. It was Jung’s older brother, Josh -- the Rangers’ third baseman -- who was on the South Side on Monday enjoying a rare and unique opportunity to watch Jace play live from the stands. Texas opens a three-game series against the White Sox on Tuesday but had concluded its set against Cleveland on Sunday.

With Monday an off-day in Chicago for the defending World Series champions, Josh knew exactly where he'd be spending it.

“Might not ever get this opportunity again,” Josh told MLB.com. “Besides playing against each other and competing, I don't know if this will ever happen again. The fact that it worked out and he just debuted a couple weeks ago, it's super special.”

Jace hit a single to center field in that second-inning at-bat. He then delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh, part of his 2-for-4 night in Detroit’s 6-3 win over Chicago that finished off a four-game sweep. The Tigers (66-66) are .500 for the first time since the morning of June 6 (31-31).

“It was special to have him here today,” Jace said.

Jace was in college at Texas Tech when Josh last was able to watch one of his games in person. It’s understandable, as both have had busy schedules in recent years while ascending the professional ranks. Texas selected Josh in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft, and he made his Major League debut on Sept. 9, 2022.

The Tigers drafted Jace in the first round in '22. They selected his contract from Triple-A Toledo on Aug. 16, and he made his MLB debut that night against the Yankees. Around that time, the brothers realized Monday night was a possibility.

Josh and Jace got together on Sunday night for a fantasy football draft. They also played Fortnite and got breakfast together before Monday’s game.

“We hadn’t seen each other since February, so that was super cool,” Josh said. “We play Fortnite together all the time, but it's different actually being in person than hearing yourself on a [microphone]. Just super cool, super surreal. Just getting to actually be a fan and watch him, and not be on the other side competing, it’s a lot of fun.”

“We won't get a chance to really sit down and watch each other unless something like today happens, or one makes the playoffs and one doesn't,” Jace said. “It’s just one of those unique things that doesn't happen often, but you’ve gotta enjoy it when it happens.”

Jace attended every Rangers postseason game last fall, Josh said, rooting him on during Texas’ march to a World Series title. Once Detroit promoted Jace to the Majors, it was important for Josh to show his support.

“You don't really get the opportunity ever to do this, to just be a fan of your brother,” Josh said.

That support was evident in the fourth. Jace made a sliding stop on a Korey Lee grounder at third base and threw him out at first.

“Get up!” Josh urged in support, before clapping as Jace completed the play.

In another unique twist to Monday, Martin was Jace’s teammate at Texas Tech.

“The fact that we have it lined up where we have three guys, two playing, one watching, was really, really cool,” Martin said.

Jace and Josh have bonded through baseball through the years, and that bond reached a new level with Jace’s promotion to the Majors. Now they can share their experiences and give each other feedback and advice off of those moments.

“To have somebody else in the trenches that's literally been your best friend your entire life, it's pretty special,” Josh said.

And so is the brothers’ bond, both on and off the field.

“Our bond has grown a lot with the game of baseball, and we've learned so much from each other,” Jace said. “We love being around each other. We hang out in the offseason, do all this stuff in the offseason together, and we just grind together.

“When we see results happen for each other on the field, we're really happy for each other. I think that's unique.”