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Mary Jung took her place in the stands, a proud figure behind home plate.
Clad in a custom jersey that represented both her sons — Jace Jung of the Detroit Tigers and Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers — Mary radiated joy as she supported them during their historic first major league matchup. This unforgettable moment unfolded on May 10 at Comerica Park, fittingly coinciding with Mother’s Day weekend.
Her jersey ingeniously showcased the colors and logos of both teams, with the left half dedicated to Jace and the Tigers and the right half honoring Josh and the Rangers.
“You can see it on her face—she can’t stop smiling,” Jace remarked. “She’s in her happy place.”
This match marked a sentimental milestone as the Jung brothers faced off for the very first time in their careers. Previously, they had shared the diamond during high school — with Josh being a senior and Jace just a freshman — but never had they stood on opposite sides in a game.
Until this unforgettable day.
“Today feels special, especially for our family,” Jace expressed with excitement before the game. “It’s going to be an experience filled with emotion. Of course, I want to win above everything else.”
“It’s all about bragging rights,” Josh chimed in, adding a playful competitive edge to their encounter.
As the clock ticked on May 10, their game unfolded with the Rangers clinching a decisive 10-3 victory over the Tigers, handing Josh his inaugural major league bragging rights over his younger brother. Both brothers started the game at third base and occupied the ninth spot in their respective batting orders.
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In a quaint moment of sibling rivalry, the brothers engaged in a playful game of tic-tac-toe etched into the dirt during a lull in the game.
Alas, the game within the game had no true victor.
“He marked O first, while I only got to put one X down,” Jace later shared, revealing how Josh initiated the light-hearted contest mid-inning. “It was destined to end in a tie since he went for the center.”
And so the game began: Josh placed an O in the middle, Jace countered with an X in the bottom corner, and Josh solidified his spot with an O in the bottom center.
“I knew I had to mark the top next,” Jace remarked. “But since I was preoccupied with defense, it was clear we were heading for a draw. I warned you before we started; if he occupies the middle, it’s game over for either of us!”
Yet the brothers could have completed their playful game.
So, why did they halt?
Jace hesitated.
“I got nervous about finishing it,” he admitted, reflecting on his challenging start to the season with a .108 average over 15 games, while Josh boasted a .257 average in 31 games played. “I thought, ‘I should keep my focus on the game.’ I glanced back to the dugout and just felt like, ‘I can’t continue.’”
This light-hearted moment during a high-stakes MLB game beautifully illustrated the brotherly bond they share—a rivalry filled with laughter and love, even extending to their video game matches off the field.
But there’s another narrative thread that weaves through their lives.
Together, they champion each other through their separate journeys in baseball.
Living under one roof during the offseason, the close-knit duo regularly chats via FaceTime throughout the season, especially to critique their swings and offer supportive advice.
“We know each other so well,” Josh remarked. “Understanding each other’s swings helps us grow. We’re candid about each other’s weaknesses, and that open communication is invaluable for both of us.”
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Interestingly, both Jung brothers share a curious habit—they wear just one batting glove on their bottom hand.
In their childhood, they supported each other by sharing glove packs; Jace, a left-handed hitter, donned the right glove, while Josh, a righty, took the left. Remarkably, they continue this quirk even now in the big leagues, a nostalgic nod to their roots.
The delightful coincidence is that their first MLB matchup unfolded on the heartwarming occasion of Mother’s Day weekend.
“Mom always had dinner ready when we got home,” Jace recalled, speaking fondly of Mary’s unwavering support, who cheered them on from the stands alongside their dad, Jeff, on May 10. “She attended every practice and game, whether it was local or interstate, always on the move for us through summer baseball.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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