Shortly earlier than Sunday’s recreation in Los Angeles, a textual content message popped up on Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras’ cellphone.
His youthful brother, William, despatched him a photograph of an envelope — the one gamers obtain when they’re invited to the All-Star Game.
William, who received a World Series ring final 12 months with the Atlanta Braves, not solely will be a part of Willson on the National League staff for subsequent week’s recreation at Dodger Stadium, however for the primary time since 1992, a pair of brothers will begin an All-Star Game collectively. Willson was voted in by followers because the beginning catcher, whereas William is changing the injured Bryce Harper because the NL designated hitter.
Knowing what awaits them subsequent week, Willson thought again to when he was a child enjoying baseball on the patio with William at their residence in Venezuela utilizing a stick and plastic ball.
“It will be amazing to spend the time with my brother on the same field,” Willson stated earlier than Tuesday’s recreation in opposition to the Baltimore Orioles at Wrigley Field. “That’s something we haven’t done since we were kids.”
William, 24, is a first-time All-Star, however Willson, 30 — who earned his third All-Star begin — doesn’t plan to advise him on what to anticipate. He prefers to let his brother soak within the atmosphere.
“I want him to get that figured out all by himself,” Willson stated. “I know how I felt the first time that I went to the All-Star Game, and it was a great experience. I know that he will me ask whatever questions he needs to ask over there, but I want him to find out himself.”
The All-Star Game provides one other chapter to a memorable season for the brothers. In late April, they shared a big-league subject collectively for the primary time through the Cubs’ three-game sequence in Atlanta. Before one recreation, Willson and William memorably exchanged lineup playing cards, prompting Willson to develop into emotional speaking in regards to the second after the sport.
Then on June 18, the Contrerases performed in opposition to one another at Wrigley Field, each getting the beginning behind the plate.
“We’re blessed,” Willson stated. “Those are blessed moments. … There’s no specific word to describe how I feel and how my family feels. This is the first time that I’ve got my whole family in the USA and everything happened, like, back-to-back. Hopefully it keeps coming.”
Their dad and mom, Wuiliam and Olga, and different brother, Willmer, are anticipated to hitch them in Los Angeles for the All-Star festivities.
“They deserve it more than I do, especially my mom and dad,” Willson stated. “They did everything that they could do to raise three kids in a poor neighborhood, and that’s not an easy job. They deserve it more than I do to go there.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com