Brothers Compete Against Each Other In Bulls Home Opener

WRALSportsFan

Brothers Compete Against Each Other In Bulls Home Opener

Apr 14, 2006

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DURHAM, N.C. — It was a perfect night for baseball on Friday, topped off with a fireworks display. The sold-out crowd at Durham Bulls Athletic Park was treated to quite a game. And for two players, the game was something of a family affair.

When the Durham Bulls took the field against the Toledo Mudhens for their home opener, it was a first for two players -- Toledo Mudhens DH Ryan Raburn and his brother, Johnny, a utility player for the Bulls. It's the first time the two brothers have to root against each other, since they're on opposing sides for the first time in a professional baseball game.

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All-American Takes Mound At Bulls' Home Opener

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“We were looking forward to it,” said Johnny Raburn. “We talked on the phone about it, did a little trash talking, that's about it.”

Trash talking aside, the Brothers Raburn say they are very close. They played baseball together growing up. They see their separate journey on separate teams as an expansion of their baseball family.

“We both understand how baseball works,” said Ryan Raburn. “You go through your ups and downs. It helps to have someone in the same sport you can call and talk about things or try to figure it out for yourself.”

The Raburns hope that the daily grind in the minor league trenches could pay off one day if they get to the majors leagues, like some other famous baseball playing siblings.

“You know, Ripken and his brother, Canseco and his brother,” said Ryan. “Hopefully, one day we can get back and play on the same team.”