Largest Baseball Families
From BR Bullpen
This is a list of families which have had five or members of note in the baseball world. The list is likely incomplete.
[edit] Alomar (6 members)
There were four Alomar brothers to start the family baseball dynasty. Sandy Alomar Sr. played in the majors while Demetrio Alomar, Antonio Alomar and Rafael Alomar played in the minors; the latter two spent time at AAA. Sandy's sons Roberto Alomar and Sandy Alomar Jr. both made multiple All-Star teams.
[edit] Alou/Rojas (7)
Felipe Alou, Matty Alou and Jesus Alou were famous for forming an outfield together at one point. They had over 5,000 MLB hits between them, retiring second to the Waners. Felipe had three children in the baseball world - Moises Alou played over 15 years in the majors while Jose Alou and Felipe Alou Jr. only played in the minors. Mel Rojas was a nephew of the three older Alous and a cousin of the three younger ones and pitched in the majors.
[edit] Bankhead (5)
The Bankheads were one of the most noted families in the Negro Leagues. Sam Bankhead was a major star, while Dan Bankhead became a pioneer in integrating the majors. Fred Bankhead spent 13 years in the Negro Leagues and made one East-West Game. Garnett Bankhead and Joe Bankhead had much shorter careers.
[edit] Boone (6)
Ray Boone hit 151 homers and made two All-Star teams. His son Bob Boone was a four-time All-Star and noted as one of the most durable catchers ever while his other son Rod Boone was a college star who played in the minors. Bob had three sons in professional baseball - Bret Boone and Aaron Boone have made a combined four All-Star teams while Matt Boone never made it to The Show.
[edit] Boyer (5)
Ken Boyer was one of the top third basemen of his era and has been considered good enough to be a Hall of Famer by some sources. His brother Clete Boyer was noted as one of the top defensive third basemen of his time, while Cloyd Boyer pitched in the majors. Ron Boyer and Len Boyer played in the minors.
[edit] Bragan (5)
Jim Bragan coached six years in the majors after managing and playing in the minors. His brother Bobby Bragan both played and managed in the major leagues. Their brother Frank Bragan played in the minors while Peter Bragan owned a minor league team, as did Peter's son Peter Bragan Jr.
[edit] Claesson (5)
Robert Claesson was a pitcher for the Swedish national team and his wife Yvonne Claesson was president of the Stockholm Baseball Club. Their sons Joakim Claesson and Jakob Claesson both pitched for the national team as well while another son, Thomas Claesson, has pitched in the Swedish Elitserien.
[edit] Clarkson/Hackett (7)
John Clarkson was a Hall of Fame pitcher; his brothers Walter Clarkson and Dad Clarkson also played in the majors as did their cousins Mert Hackett and Walter Hackett. The Hacketts were also cousins to Hall of Famers Tim Keefe and Joe Kelley and, it is likely, the Clarksons were also related to Keefe and Kelley. All seven were born in Cambridge, Mass.
[edit] Comiskey/Rigney (6)
Charlie Comiskey was a long-time player and manager in the majors but was noted more for his ownership of the Chicago White Sox. His son J. Louis Comiskey inherited the team from him. Louis's widow Grace Comiskey in term inherited the White Sox, followed by her daughter Dorothy Comiskey. Dorothy was married to John Rigney, a major league pitcher. Chuck Comiskey, Charlie's grandson, and Rigney were co-owners of the White Sox before the team finally passed out of the family's hands.
[edit] Cruz (6)
Jose Cruz Sr. was a star player for the Houston Astros of the 1970s while his brothers Tommy Cruz and Hector Cruz also played in the majors. Jose's son Jose Cruz Jr. later played in the majors and his other son Jose E. Cruz played in the minors, while Tommy's son Cirilo Cruz played in the minor leagues.
[edit] Delahanty (5)
Ed Delahanty was a Hall of Fame outfielder who had one of the highest batting averags in MLB history. His brother Jim Delahanty was one of the better American League middle infielders of the Deadball Era. His other brothers Tom Delahanty, Frank Delahanty and Joe Delahanty all played in the majors at one point.
[edit] Griffith/Cronin/Haynes/Robertson (6)
Clark Griffith was a Hall of Fame pitcher and manager who owned the Washington Senators for decades. His adopted children Calvin Griffith and Thelma Griffith inherited the Senators from him. He was the father-in-law of Joe Cronin and Joe Haynes and the adopted father of Sherry Robertson.
[edit] Gourriel/Degado (6)
Lourdes Gourriel was a member of the Cuban national team for over 15 years and a two-time batting titlist in Cuba. His brother, Luis Enrique Gourriel, had a long career on the island. Lourdes' son Yulieski Gourriel has been one of the top Cuban sluggers in the early part of the 21st Century and his other son Yunkiesky Gourriel has been a starter in Cuba. Lourdes' uncle José R. Delgado was a member of the Cuban national team for a time. Delgado's son Yoannys Delgado has joined the family line on Sancti Spiritus.
[edit] Hairston (6)
The first three-generation African-American MLB family was led by Sammy Hairston, who only had a handful of games in The Show. His sons Jerry Hairston Sr. and Johnny Hairston played in the majors while Sam Hairston Jr. appeared in the minors. Jerry's kids Jerry Hairston Jr. and Scott Hairston also played in the big leagues.
[edit] Harris/Reniff/Rodebaugh/Clark (7)
Joe Harris was a productive major league player of the 1910s and 1920s. His brothers Dave Harris, Jack Harris and Tom Harris played in the minors. Great-nephew Hal Reniff played in the majors, while two other relatives - Ed Rodebaugh and Dick Clark - appeared in the minor leagues.
[edit] Iorg (6)
Garth Iorg and Dane Iorg played in the major leagues while a third brother, Lee Iorg, made it to AAA. Garth's sons Eli Iorg, Isaac Iorg, and Cale Iorg play(ed) in the minor leagues.
[edit] Keough (5)
Marty Keough was a major league outfielder for 11 years and his brother Joe Keough spent six years in the big leagues. A third brother, Tom Keough, played 8 games in 1954. Marty's son Matt Keough pitched nine seasons in the majors and four in Japan (where his dad had played one year). Matt's son Shane Keough has played in the minors.
[edit] Lansford (5)
Carney Lansford won one batting title and was second another year. His brother Jody Lansford played briefly in the majors. A third brother, Phil Lansford, was a first-round draft pick who never made it past A ball. Carney's sons Jared Lansford and Josh Lansford are active in the minors as of 2007.
[edit] Mantle (6)
Hall of Fame center fielder Mickey Mantle had four relatives who played minor league baseball - cousin Max Mantle, brother Roy Mantle, brother Ray Mantle and son Mickey Mantle Jr.. Third cousin Ryan Mantle was drafted in 2008.
[edit] Manush (5)
Hall of Famer Heinie Manush had four known relatives that played professional baseball. Brother Frank Manush, and George Manush, Earle Manush and Harry Manush who are all presumed to be brothers as well.
[edit] Mota/Baez (6)
Manny Mota was one of the most acclaimed pinch-hitters in baseball history and a long-time star in the Dominican Winter League. His sons Jose Mota and Andy Mota played in the majors. A third son, Gary Mota won a MVP award in the South Atlantic League, while a 4th son, Tony Mota, played in the minors. Manny's cousin Jose Baez played in the majors.
[edit] Murray (5)
Eddie Murray was a Hall of Fame first baseman. His brother Rich Murray also played in the major leagues, while older brother Charles Murray hit 121 minor league homers over 7 seasons. Two other brothers, Venice Murray and Leon Murray, also played in the minors.
[edit] Narron (5)
Sam Narron played and managed in the majors while his brother Milt Narron hit .300 three times in six years in the minors. Their nephew Jerry Narron played and managed in the majors while Jerry's brother John Narron played and managed in the minors. Sam's grandson Sam Narron also played in the big leagues.
[edit] Narleski (5)
Bill Narleski was a major league infielder for parts of two years. His son Ray Narleski was a top relief pitcher of the 1950s while another son, Ted Narleski, played in the minors. Another son, Bob, had a son, Bill Narleski, who played in the minors and for Team USA. Ray's son Steve Narleski reached AAA.
[edit] Nilsson (7)
The most prominent Australian baseball family may have been the Nilssons. Dave Nilsson was the first major league All-Star from Australia. His brother Gary Nilsson played in the minors while brother Bob Nilsson was on the Australian national team. A fourth brother, Ron Nilsson, played in the Australian leagues. Bob's son Jay Nilsson has played in the minors as well as Gary's son Mitch Nilsson. Ron's son Daniel Nilsson played with the Australia Youth AA team in 2009.
[edit] O'Neill/Nowak (5)
Steve O'Neill was a major league catcher for 17 years, finishing among the AL OBP leaders three times and winning a World Series. He won another World Series as a manager. His brother Jack O'Neill caught five seasons in the majors; brother Jim O'Neill was an infielder for two years in The Show and Mike O'Neill pitched four seasons in the majors. Steve's son-in-law Hank Nowak played in the minors for almost a decade, reaching the highest classification of the time.
[edit] Paciorek (8)
Tom Paciorek was a long-time major league outfielder. His brother John Paciorek was noted for the highest average ever in the majors (3 for 3, 1.000) while brother Jim Paciorek played in the majors and Japan. A fourth brother, Mike Paciorek, played in the minors. Tom's son Tom Paciorek Jr., John's sons Pete Paciorek and Mack Paciorek, and Jim's son Joseph Paciorek all played in the minor leagues.
[edit] Perez (6)
Brothers Pascual Pérez and Melido Pérez both pitched no-hitters that were later wiped from the books due to their being shortened by rain. A third brother, Carlos Pérez, played in the majors. Three other brothers - Valerio Pérez, Vladimir Pérez and Reuben Pérez - played in the minors.
[edit] Quinn/Hemond (15)
Bob Quinn was an executive in baseball for many years and served as a General Manager. His son John Quinn was general manager for two teams. John's sons Bob E. Quinn and John Quinn Jr. both were honored as Minor League Executive of the Year by The Sporting News while John's daughter Susan Quinn worked in the front office of the California Angels. John's other daughter Margo Quinn married Roland Hemond, another future General Manager. Roland and Margo's son Bob Hemond became a minor league executive and owner of the collegiate summer league team Hannibal Cavemen of the Prospect League. While another son, Jay Hemond worked as scouting coordinator for the Florida Marlins, was field manager for teams in two different independent leagues, and appeared in Field of Dreams as an actor, while also serving as the film's baseball trainer. He is currently Manager and Director of Baseball Operations for the collegiate summer league team Hannibal Cavemen of the Prospect League. His son Zane is his assistant in charge of game charts. Roland and Margo's elder daughter, Susan Hemond Dent, worked in baseball television production for the San Diego Padres, where she met and then married then Padre trainer, Dick Dent. Bob E. Quinn's son, Bob Quinn, Jr., is currently CFO for the Milwaukee Brewers.
[edit] Roenicke (5)
Gary Roenicke was a power hitting outfielder who played from 1976 to 1988. His brother, Ron Roenicke, and son, Josh Roenicke, played in the majors as well. His other sons - Jarett Roenicke and Jason Roenicke - played/play in the minors, respectively.
[edit] Roof/Haas (10)
Phil Roof played 15 years in the majors. His brother Gene Roof played in the majors as did cousin Eddie Haas. All three also became managers after their careers ended. Phil and Gene had several brothers in the minors - David Roof, Adrian Roof and Paul Roof, while Eddie's brother Lou Haas also played in the minor leagues. Gene's son Shawn Roof also played in the minors. Two of Gene's sons, Jonathan Roof and Eric Roof, were drafted but have not played professionally yet.
[edit] Tolleson/Adair (5)
Wayne Tolleson's brother, Mike Tolleson, played a year in the minors. His father, Jim Tolleson, played in the minors in the 1950s, and his son, Steve Tolleson, is a current minor leaguer (through May, 2009). His cousin Rick Adair pitched in the minors and has coached for many teams.
[edit] Tracy (5)
Jim Tracy played and managed in the majors. His father Jim Tracy Sr. was a minor league pitcher. His sons Chad S. Tracy and Brian Tracy followed him into the pros and another son, Mark Tracy, has also been drafted.
[edit] Urbanus (5)
Han Urbanus was one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the Dutch Hoofdklasse, setting many records. Han's brother Charles Urbanus Sr. and his son Charles Urbanus Jr. both made the Dutch Baseball Hall of Fame. Han's other son Johan Urbanus was briefly in the Hoofdklasse. Charles Jr.'s son Nick Urbanus made his Hoofdklasse debut in 2009.
[edit] Waller (5)
Ty Waller played in the majors. His brothers Kevin Waller and Reggie Waller played in the minors. His nephews Derric Waller and Gerric Waller played in the minors as well.
[edit] Yang and company (about 15)
The Amis people of Taiwan have produced a whole slew of professional baseball players who are all related. They include Chung-Shou Yang, Yao-Hsun Yang, Chien-Fu Yang, Tai-Shan Chang, Chih-Yuan Chen, Sen Yang, Tung-Yi Yang and about 10 others.
