Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras has garnered another well-deserved All-Star selection, the third one of his career. He's spoken at length about what his All-Star success has meant to his affinity for his team and the City of Chicago.
But now the moment is made even more special now that his brother, William, has also made the team amidst a stellar season as the catcher for the defending champion Atlanta Braves. The younger Contreras made the list as the injury replacement to Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper. The Cubs catcher was vocal about what the moment will mean to him.
Via Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune:
“It will be amazing to spend the time with my brother on the same field,” Willson said before Tuesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at Wrigley Field. “That’s something we haven’t done since we were kids.”
While both players have obviously flashed big league ability, their age gap has placed them in different points of their careers. But while the older Willson has a wealth of experience to share already, he believes there's merit in letting the younger Contreras figure things out for himself.
William, 24, is a first-time All-Star, but Willson, 30 — who earned his third All-Star start — doesn’t plan to advise him on what to expect. He prefers to let his brother soak in the environment.
“I want him to get that figured out all by himself,” Willson said. “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.”
Both their parents will reportedly make the trip to Los Angeles to witness the spectacle. With two sons being deemed worth of being amongst the sport's elite, the pride likely doubles as well.
“They deserve it more than I do, especially my mom and dad,” Willson Contreras continued. “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.”
Given that they star in the same position, it's unlikely that they ever team up on a true MLB roster. That makes their All-Star Game team-up that much more special.
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