Five years ago, the Miami Marlins made an intriguing move by signing not one, but two brothers with the name Victor Mesa. The Mesa brothers, Victor Victor Mesa and Victor Mesa Jr., came from a baseball-rich background. Their father, also named Victor Mesa, had a successful career playing in the Cuban National Series and even won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics. In 2018, both sons defected from Cuba and caught the attention of the Marlins.
The Marlins wasted no time in securing the talents of the Mesa brothers. They signed Victor Victor for an impressive $5.25 million and Victor Jr. for $1 million. At just 17 years old, Victor Jr. joined the Marlins organization and has remained a promising prospect. Last year, he showcased his skills in centerfield, hitting 18 home runs, driving in 76 runs, and stealing 10 bases at Double-A Pensacola.
His older brother, Victor Victor, was considered the more highly touted prospect at age 22. Known for his contact hitting and exceptional speed, Victor Victor seemed destined for success. However, his career took a surprising turn when he abruptly left the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Miami's Triple-A team, without an explanation. He was placed on the restricted list in July of last year and ultimately struggled to find success.
Despite his initial potential, Victor Victor struggled to live up to expectations. While he showcased impressive numbers in Cuba's top league, batting .357 with 40 stolen bases and minimal strikeouts, his performance in the United States didn't measure up. In 290 professional games, he had a average of .233 with 181 strikeouts. Although he stole an impressive 69 bases, his lackluster .289 on-base percentage in the minors hindered his progress.
Victor Victor's younger brother, on the other hand, continues to receive positive reviews as an athlete. With a solid physique and a smooth left-handed swing, Victor Jr. has shown potential despite his .254 average in 403 games as a professional. Scouts believe that his natural instincts for the game will eventually shine through, leading to better pitch selection and overall improvement. At just 22 years old, he still has plenty of time to develop into a regular outfielder.
While Victor Victor seemed to lose his way in the game, his father, Victor Mesa Sr., enjoyed a successful career both as a player and a manager. Known for his flamboyant style on the field, he played a key role for the Cuban National Team, consistently hitting around .400 in international tournaments. As a manager, he became renowned for his fiery demeanor and unconventional strategies, which often paid off. His popularity with fans was undeniable.
Throughout the history of baseball, many sets of brothers have made their mark in the major leagues. Some became legendary figures, while others had more modest careers. The Mathewson brothers, Christy and Henry, are a prime example. Christy Mathewson is now a Hall of Famer with an impressive record, while Henry only played three games as a pitcher.
Other notable brother pairs include the Alomar brothers, Roberto and Sandy, the DiMaggio brothers, Joe, Vince, and Dominic, and the Hernandez brothers, Livan and Orlando. Each of these pairs made significant contributions to the game of baseball.
However, there is only one set of brothers who are both enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame as players: Paul (Big Poison) and Lloyd (Little Poison) Waner. These outfielders were teammates on the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1927 to 1940. Paul, the older brother, boasted an impressive career with a .333 batting average, 113 home runs, and numerous other accolades. Lloyd, although not as statistically impressive, still had a solid career with a .316 batting average and over 1,200 runs scored.
Before the era of the Wright brothers' famous airplane, there were the Wright brothers of baseball. George and Harry Wright, both Hall of Famers, played in the early years of the sport. George was the first batter in the first recognized 'Major League' game in 1876, and Harry had a successful career as a player and manager. George became a pioneer in the sport, getting involved in various aspects of baseball and even contributing to the creation of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In the vast history of baseball, the presence of brothers is not uncommon. The story of the Mesa brothers, Victor Victor and Victor Jr., is just another chapter in this ongoing narrative. While one brother faced challenges and struggled to find his place, the other retains the potential to fulfill his dreams in the game. Only time will tell how their story unfolds.
