Cleveland Indians: Bradley Zimmer does not show any brotherly love

Cleveland Indians outfielder Bradley Zimmer has had a few chances to face his brother over this season. As Kyle Zimmer is a reliever for the Kansas City Royals, and the two teams face off 19 times per season, it would make sense that they would have the occasional matchup.

On Monday, Bradley Zimmer bested his brother. He belted his brother’s second pitch of his appearance deep to right for his eighth homer of the season, becoming just the fourth player in modern history to hit a home run against his brother.

Cleveland Indians outfielder Bradley Zimmer joins exclusive list

With that blast, he joined George Stovall (1904), Rick Ferrell (1933), and Joe Niekro (1976) as the only brothers to belt a home run off of their brothers. Stovall’s homer was the first of his career, and in Niekro’s case, it was the only homer he hit in his career. Ferrell was not exactly a noted power hitter either, with just 28 homers over the course of his career.

Zimmer’s home run will be remembered for another reason as well. Since the Indians finish the year on the road, and will be changing their name for the 2022 season, this is the last home run hit at home under the current name.

Bradley Zimmer, much like his brother, had been a highly regarded prospect at one point. He was a consensus top 100 prospect in 2016 and 2017, someone expected to be a potential five tool player in the Indians outfield. The expectation was that he would be a star, another piece that could lead the franchise back to the Promised Land.

Although he never reached those heights, he has been a solid enough piece in Cleveland when he has played. He has settled in as a fourth outfielder, providing a bit of pop and speed off the bench, his inability to make consistent contact holding him back. Those contact issues were not a problem in one plate appearance however, as he took his brother deep to cap off an Indians’ victory.

Cleveland Indians outfielder Bradley Zimmer did not show any brotherly love on Monday. With his home run off his brother, he joined a very exclusive list.