DETROIT — Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung delivered a special Mother’s Day moment by hitting a two-out, two-run home run in the fifth inning of the Rangers’ 6-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. The home run came with his younger brother, Jace Jung, playing the same position for the opposing team.
Before the game, the brothers shared the field with their mother, Mary Jung, who was honored with the ceremonial first pitch. She walked to the mound with her sons by her side and placed the game ball before Tigers starter Reese Olson took the hill.
“My heart is just exploding,” Mary said during the Rangers’ broadcast. “I couldn’t ask for a better Mother’s Day gift. To be in the same place and watch them live their dream—do what they love—makes me so proud.”
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Josh’s home run marked the first time since Mother’s Day was first celebrated nationally in 1914 that a major league player homered while facing his brother in the same game.
“It’s a pretty cool feat—pretty rare,” Josh said.
The Jungs’ parents, Mary and Jeff, were in attendance for the full three-game series. Both brothers had also started the previous day, when Texas won 10-3.
“To everyone involved—our parents, my brother, his girlfriend—it was just a great moment,” Josh added. “It’s rare for us all to be in the same city now. To be able to play against each other like that, I know my parents are proud. All the sacrifices they made for us—there’s no way to fully say thank you, but hopefully they felt proud watching us play side by side.”
Before the game, the brothers gave their parents custom split jerseys—one half in Texas Rangers blue, the other in Detroit Tigers white. Their mom had already bought a similar jersey herself.
Reflecting on the moment, Josh said, “These are super cool, pinch-me moments. It’ll probably never happen again.”
