Sports Siblings

SI Staff | Apr 24, 2013

Sports Siblings

Staal Brothers

If you want to make it to the NHL, being a Staal brother is a good start. Eric was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2003; Marc by the New York Rangers in 2005; Jordan by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2006; and youngest brother Jared by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2008. On April 25, 2013, Eric, Jordan and Jared started a game on a line for Carolina -- the 10th time in North American pro sports history that three brothers have played for the same team during the same season -- vs. the Rangers. (Marc sat out due to an eye injury.)

Jim and John Harbaugh

Super Bowl XLVII, or the "Har-Bowl", pitted 49ers head coach Jim and Ravens head coach John against each other in New Orleans. The Ravens survived a frenzied comeback by the 49ers for a thrilling 34-31 win at the Superdome. The brothers said for two weeks that this wasn't about them, it was about their teams. They meant it. But John admitted Sunday night: "I thought of it every day. Almost every second."

Rob and Rex Ryan

Born five minutes apart, Rex and Rob Ryan are as close as can be. The two cut their teeth together as defensive position coaches in Arizona before moving on to defensive coordinator positions, and during the season, the two exchange phone calls almost daily. But all that falls to the wayside on game day. Head coach Rex's New York Jets and defensive coordinator Rob's Cleveland Browns squared off Nov. 14, 2010 in Cleveland with the Jets emerging victorious 26-20 in overtime. It was the first installment of the "Buddy Bowl" that one of the Ryan's was a head coach. Rob had held a 3-0 advantage in prior meetings.

Rob, Chris and Dan Gronkowski

Rob, a 2010 second-round draft pick, is a tight end with the New England Patriots. Chris, undrafted, was once a fullback with the Dallas Cowboys. Dan, the next-to-last player selected in the 2009 draft (by Detroit), was once a tight end with the Denver Broncos.

Dizzy and Daffy Dean

In 1934, Dizzy and Daffy became the only brothers in history to combine for 40 wins as teammates in a single season. They'd end up leading the Cardinals to a World Series triumph, combining for each of the team's four fall classic wins with 28 strikeouts and a 1.43 ERA.

Dominique and Gerald Wilkins

Dunking, apparently, ran in the family. Dominique was a two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1985 and 1990), while Gerald dunked in the 1986 and 1987 contest. The two brought their high-flying ways together during the 1998 season when they both played for the Orlando Magic.

Vince, Joe and Dom DiMaggio

The Yankee Clipper won MVP awards in 1939, '41 and '47, helping the Bronx Bombers to a mind-boggling nine World Series titles. Dom was a seven-time All-Star and a lifetime .298 hitter, while Vince made a pair of All-Star teams as a journeyman center fielder during a seven-year career.

Jesus, Matty and Felipe Alou

The brothers from the Dominican Republic enjoyed prominent careers which peaked during the 1960s. On Sept. 10, 1963, as members of the Giants, they became the first trio of brothers to bat consecutively in the same game.

Maurice and Henri Richard

Maurice, nicknamed "Rocket" for his blazing speed on the ice, helped the Canadiens to eight Stanley Cups and became the first player in NHL history to score 500 goals in a career. Henri, nicknamed "Pocket Rocket" for his diminutive 5-foot-7 frame, played 20 seasons in Montreal and joined his older brother in the Hall of Fame with his 1979 induction.

Bengie, Yadier and Jose Molina

Hailing from Puerto Rico, the Molina brothers share the distinction of being the only trio of brothers in major league history to have each won a World Series ring. Bengie and Jose did it together as members of the 2002 Anaheim Angels; Yadier did it with the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals. Considered defensive stalwarts, they have a combined four Gold Gloves between them.

Jack and Bobby Charlton

England won its first and only World Cup in 1966 at Wembley Stadium with a 4-2 victory over West Germany in extra time. Jack (back left) and Bobby (back right) both played the entire game, weeping openly in one another's arms when the victory was complete.

Phil and Tony Esposito

Older brother Phil played 18 seasons as a forward for the Blackhawks, Bruins and Rangers, winning Stanley Cups with Boston in '70 and '72. Younger brother Tony is best known for his long tenure with the Blackhawks, helping popularize the butterfly style prevalent among goaltenders today.

Leon and Michael Spinks

Leon landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated after winning a gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He would defeat Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight championship in a 15-round decision just two years later. Brother Michael, who also won gold at the Montreal Olympics, held various light heavyweight and heavyweight titles from 1981 through 1987.

Phil and Joe Niekro

Phil and Joe used their unorthodox knuckleball pitch to combine for 539 victories, the most by any set of brothers in major-league history.

Ron, Brent, Duane, Darryl, Brian and Rich Sutter

During the '70s and '80s, no less than six Sutter brothers reached the NHL. The Alberta natives played more than 5,000 games and brought home a combined six Stanley Cups.

Cal and Billy Ripken

Considered one of the greatest shortstops in history, Cal made 19 All-Star teams and shattered Lou Gehrig's longstanding record for consecutive games played. Billy was a light-hitting but defensively sound infielder, perhaps best known for his infamous 1989 Fleer baseball card featuring an expletive visible on the knob of his bat.

Phil and Steve Mahre

The fraternal twins dominated alpine skiing during the '70s and '80s, with strong performances on the World Cup and Olympic stages. Phil and Steve took home the gold and silver medals, respectively, in the slalom at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.

Jason and Jeremy Giambi

The brothers Giambi played alongside one another with the Oakland A's during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Jason won an MVP award in 2000, while Jeremy is best remembered for not sliding at the plate during Game 3 of the 2001 ALDS against the Yankees. Both brothers however, were implicated in the Mitchell Report in 2007.

Charles and Ed O'Bannon

Ed, a senior power forward, and brother Charles, a sophomore small forward, comprised two-fifths of the starting lineup for the UCLA team which won the 1995 NCAA men's basketball tournament. Known for their trademark shaved heads and explosive style of play, the O'Bannon brothers have been credited with returning UCLA basketball to national relevance during the mid-'90s.

Sterling and Shannon Sharpe

In 1992, Sterling became one of seven players in history to lead the league in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and receptions in the same season. He made five Pro Bowls with the Packers before a neck injury cut his career short in 1994. Brother Shannon won a pair of Super Bowls with Denver and a third with Baltimore before retiring as the NFL's all-time yardage leader among tight ends.

Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko

The towering Ukranian brothers have emerged as two of the most imposing heavyweights of their generation, each holding the championship belts during stretches over the past decade.

Cheryl and Reggie Miller

Following a standout career at UCLA, Reggie became the NBA's all-time leader in three-point field goals and won a gold medal the 1996 Summer Olympics. Sister Cheryl, considered one of the greatest women's players in history, was a four-time All-America at USC and won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Tiki and Ronde Barber

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Ronde won a Super Bowl during the 2002 season and became Tampa Bay's all-time interceptions leader this past year. Identical twin Tiki retired from the New York Giants in 2006 as the franchise's all-time leader in rushing yards and receptions.

Rob and Scott Niedermayer

Scott had already won three Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils by the time the defenseman went to Anaheim as a free agent in 2005. There, Scott teamed with brother Rob to win a title with the Ducks in 2007, becoming the first brothers to win the Cup together since Brent and Duane Sutter with the Islanders in 1983.

Pau and Marc Gasol

From NBA Rookie of the Year to All-Star to MVP of the 2006 FIBA World Championship, Pau's growing resume continues to impress. He's now in his sixth season with the Lakers while brother Marc is in his fifth with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Bobby and Terry Labonte

The Labontes remain the only brothers in NASCAR to each win a series championship. Terry won Winston Cups in 1984 and 1996, while Bobby brought home the title in 2000.

Brook and Robin Lopez

The twin 7-footers, whose mother competed in the Olympics as a swimmer, are now in the NBA after starring college at Stanford.

Serena and Venus Williams

As two of the most successful women's players of their generation, Venus and Serena have combined to win 23 grand slam singles titles, while each has spent a significant stretch ranked No. 1 in the world.

Livan and Orlando Hernandez

In 1997, Livan helped lead the Marlins to the franchise's first World Series title as a rookie pitcher. A year later, half-brother Orlando dominated the American League during his rookie season with a 12-4 record and 3.13 ERA, firing seven shutout innings in Game 2 of the World Series against San Diego.

Pedro and Ramon Martinez

Always humble, Ramon repeatedly told Dodgers brass that his brother, Pedro, was an even better pitcher than him. That was saying something as he won 20 games and was an All-Star in 1990. Too worried about Pedro's small frame though, the Dodgers traded away Pedro, who would go on to win three Cy Youngs with the Boston Red Sox. The brothers would be reunited again during Ramon's two years with the Red Sox in 1999 and 2000.

Eli and Peyton Manning

The sons of signal-calling patriarch Archie Manning became the first siblings to win back-to-back Super Bowl MVP awards.

Marat Safin and Dinara Safina

Dinara enjoyed a breakout performance in the 2009 French Open despite falling short against Ana Ivanovic in the final. Older brother Marat is a former World No. 1 who collected a pair of Grand Slam titles at the U.S. Open (2000) and the Australian Open (2005). They are the first brother-sister combo in tennis to both earn a No. 1 ranking.

John and Patrick McEnroe

By all accounts Patrick had a great tennis career. He won 16 career titles and served as the Davis Cup captain when the team won the Cup in 2007. Compared to his brother John however, Patrick's accomplishments lose their luster.

George and Ken Brett

George may be the most memorable, but three other Brett brothers played professional baseball. Bobby and John (not pictured) played minor league ball, while Ken became the youngest pitcher to ever pitch in the World Series when he appeared in relief in Game 4 of the 1967 World Series. Like his brother, Ken was an outstanding hitter, especially for a pitcher. In 347 career at-bats he slugged .406.

Champ and Boss Bailey

Originally drafted by the Lions, Boss signed a five-year contract with the Broncos in 2008, joining brother Champ in the defensive backfield. The two became the fourth pair of brothers to play for the Broncos, and joined Dave and Doug Widell and Eldon and William Danehauer as the only brothers to play for the franchise concurrently.

Brett and Aaron Boone

The Boone baseball bloodline runs deep. Bret and Aaron's father, Bob, was a former catcher and manager; their brother Matt played for the Cincinnati Reds minor league team; and grandfather, Ray, also played in the major leagues. Aaron and Bret were able to play together, and during the 1998 season, the Reds made history by starting the only infield ever composed of two sets of brothers: Aaron and Brett and Barry and Stephen Larkin.

Thomas and Julius Jones

Julius, drafted by the Cowboys in 2004, is the younger brother of Thomas, who was drafted by the Cardinals in 2000. During the 2006 season the two became the first pair of brothers to ever rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.

Bob and Mike Bryan

The male equivalent of Serena and Venus, the brothers Bryan depend on one another, neither having won a singles title during their career. As a tandem however, they are lights out. They've won a record 83 tour titles and have won Grand Slam doubles titles at the French Open, U.S. Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Roberto and Sandy Alomar

Another baseball family, brothers Sandy and Roberto both played in the majors only after father, Sandy Sr., blazed the trail for them. Both played on the Indians from 1999-2000 with Jaret Wright, whose father, Clyde, played with Sandy Sr. with the California Angels from 1969-73.

Michael and Brian Laudrup

The Laudrup's are considered the greatest Danish football players in history. Brian won the Danish Footballer of the Year award a record four times, and Michael was officially named the best Danish footballer of all time by the DBU in November 2006. The two announced their international retirement following Denmark's World Cup elimination in 1998.

Phil and Gary Neville

Simply said, the Neville's are an athletic bunch. Phil captained Everton and played for England alongside Gary, who captained Manchester United. Their sister, Tracey, played netball; their father, Neville, played cricket for Lancashire; and their mother, not wanting to be left behind, was a receptionist for Bury F.C.

Daniel and Henrik Sedin

Learning to trust your teammates can be difficult. When your teammate is your identical twin though, it becomes infinitely easier. Henrik and Daniel have played together for their entire career, and their styles perfectly compliment one another: Henrik is the playmaker, and Daniel buries pucks in the net.

Horace and Harvey Grant

Identical twins Horace and Harvey were drafted into the NBA a year apart from one another in 1987 and 1988. Harvey was never the rebounder that Horace was, but both donned the iconic goggles during game time.

Jon and Brent Barry

Of all the sports family, the Barrys might be the best. Father Rick was a Hall of Famer; Brent won an NBA title with the Spurs; brothers Jon and Drew played in the NBA, while eldest brother Scooter played collegiate basketball; and stepmother Lynn also played basketball while in college.

Paul and Morgan Hamm

Twin brothers Paul and Morgan both won silver medals at the 2004 Olympics in the gymnastics team all-around competition. Paul won the gold in the men's individual all around as well, though the medal was disputed due to a scoring issue.

Hank and Tommie Aaron

Everyone knows `Hammerin Hank,' but few remember his younger brother Tommie. The two became the first brothers to appear together in a League Championship Series as teammates in 1969 when the Atlanta Braves took on the New York Mets. Though Tommie only has 13, the brothers hold the record for most career home runs between two brothers (768).

Jose and Ozzie Canseco

Jose was a member of the `Bash Brothers,' but his real brother, Ozzie, never hit a major league home run. The two did play together with the Oakland A's in 1990, and they later appeared together in a courtroom in 2002.

Published Apr 24, 2013

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