The MLB World Series 2023 has ended on a high note for many. It saw the rise of the Texas Rangers, with their series-clinching win in Game 5, winning the first franchise World Series. Shortstop Corey Seager earned the MVP title for the second time in his career. Within just 8 years in the majors, Seager has made some significant achievements on the diamond. But did you know that he also has a brother with similar talents?
Born to former slugger Jeff and his wife Jody Seager, Kyle is the elder brother to Corey and Justin. The brothers grew up watching the New York Yankees play while idolizing Derek Jeter. Corey just won another World Series title with the Rangers after his 2020 Dodgers win. What about his brother?
For Which MLB Team Did Corey Seager’s Brother Kyle Play?
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The Seattle Mariners selected Kyle in their third draft of the 2009 season, and the oldest Seager brother spent his entire career in Emerald City. Although he wasn’t deemed a “big-time” prospect by the Mariners or any other team, he didn’t shy away from proving them otherwise.
On April 23, 2014, Kyle became the first player in MLB history to hit a game-tying homer in the seventh inning or later after scoring a walk-off homer against the Houston Astros. Five years later, he hit a staggering three homers and had six RBIs, clinching an 11-6 victory against the Detroit Tigers.
That day, he became the 11 player in the Mariners’ history to hit three homers in a game. He also tied with Ken Griffey Jr. for most multi-homer games in a single season in baseball’s history for his five homers with the Mariners. With both brothers being gifted like that, fans might wonder whether they had the chance to face each other off in a game or not.
Has Corey Seager Played Against His Brother?
They did! The 2020 MLB season saw the brothers facing off against each other while Corey was still with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the Mariners vs. Dodgers game that took place in Dodger Stadium on August 18, Kyle hit two doubles and a solo homer for the Mariners in the top of the third inning; Corey hit a three-run homer in the inning before.
The brothers etched their name as the second pair of siblings to ever play and score homers on opposing teams since Jason and Jeremy Giambi’s stint in 2003.
Does Kyle Seager Still Play Baseball?
Well, not anymore. Kyle Seager was drafted into the big leagues in 2011. That was four years before Corey’s introduction to the MLB scene. They both played for their high school team and were named Player of the Year in separate years. Kyle recently stepped down from the game in 2021, choosing to spend his time focusing on his family instead.
Kyle Seager’s Highs and Lows in Baseball Career
The older Seager has 242 career homers along with 1395 hits and 807 RBIs with a .251 batting average. He may be retired but Seattle remembers the slugger for winning both the All-Star and Golden Glove Awards in 2014. It was the same year he hit a three-run walk-off homer against the Astros. But his time on the team hasn’t been as beautiful as it could’ve been.
Two years after his walk-off play, Kyle was left off the All-Star team despite having staggering records. He had one of the best seasons in ’16, hitting a career-high .859 OPS, 6.9 WAR, 30 homers, and 99 RBIs. Being left off the All-Star consideration list after being called one of the best 3Bs in the American League seems a bit ironic, given the efforts he never failed to put into his form during his time on the team.
Kyle soon got over that disappointment after saving James Paxton’s no-hitter in Toronto in 2018. A left hand surgery forced Seager to miss the first two months of the season in 2019. He hit one of the lowest records of his career that year after coming back, with 23 homers, 63 RBIs, and a .239 batting average across 106 games.
Read More: Who is Corey Seager’s Wife Madisyn Seager: Background, Ethnicity, Profession
Interestingly enough, that was the same year when he played the legendary multi-homer game against the Tigers. Kyle and Corey’s face-off happened the next year, in August. He played his last game on October 3. On November 2, Kyle’s wife, Julie Seager, announced his retirement from the game on his behalf.
An Emotional Ending to His Career Just Like His Idol Derek Jeter
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The Mariners did not reselect Kyle despite his consistent record on the team when they declined to accept the $20 million deal he offered in 2021. Just a day before his birthday on November 3rd, he became a free agent. Sports Illustrated ranked him 13th on the Top Free Agents list. But he had already made up his mind for retirement by then.
The “19th most valuable position player in all of baseball” exited the MLB scene in a very similar way to his idol, Captain Clutch. Both of them played for one team their whole lives. Both of them received multiple standing ovations and respect from the fans upon their exit. Much like Derek Jeter, Seager took to social media to finalize his decision to leave the game.
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Well, the elder Seager can rest peacefully at his home now; his brother Corey carries on his much-revered flag, as proven in this season’s World Series.
Watch This Story: Corey Seager’s Emotional Victory Celebration With Wife – A Two-Time World Series MVP Triumph
