Giles brothers remain opponents, for now

By: GREG BALL - Staff Writer | Sunday, May 15, 2005 8:51 PM PDT ∞

LOS ANGELES ---- A day before his first trip to Petco Park since making waves in both San Diego and Atlanta by stating his desire to play alongside his brother, Braves second baseman Marcus Giles was mostly mum on all matters fraternal Sunday.

Giles told Atlanta reporters in February that his older brother, Padres right fielder Brian Giles, who happens to be approaching free agency after this season, wanted to play for the Braves. The younger Giles also reportedly has raised the possibility of suiting up for his hometown Padres, though he didn't express any interest in playing general manager before the Braves' 5-2 victory Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.

"He's a free-agent after this year, so ..." he said, declining to comment further on his brother's contract status or whether he was surprised the Padres hadn't yet offered an extension. "It's just something we'd like to do, for obvious reasons."

A reunion would make the El Cajon natives and graduates of Granite Hills High just the second active pair of sibling teammates in the major leagues ---- the Angels' Bengie and Jose Molina comprise the other.

"We both have talked about (wanting to play together)," Brian Giles said after the Padres' win over the Marlins on Sunday. "We had three goals. One was to get to the big leagues, and one was to win a championship and, if things worked out, to play together.

"It's one of those things where he's kind of locked in over there and things are a little uncertain here."

In the meantime, local baseball fans can watch the brothers face each other this week at Petco Park. The Braves' visit for a three-game series starting tonight will mark just the second time they have opposed each other in San Diego as professionals.

Playing on opposite sides of the field is nothing new for Marcus, 26, and Brian, seven years his senior. Since the younger of the two made his big-league debut in 2001, both have played exclusively in the National League. Getting to do it at home, though, is a little more special, particularly for those close to the family.

"It's good ---- kind of hectic and everything," said Marcus, who plans to stay with his brother during the Braves' stop in San Diego. "It's more for family and friends."

Those rooting for the Giles brothers will get to see a pair of siblings with All-Star credentials who are both having respectable seasons.

Brian enters the series hitting .258 with five home runs and 21 RBIs, and has raised his batting average 65 points this month. Marcus is hitting .294 with 14 doubles in the Braves' first 37 games, and he has shown no ill effects from a broken right clavicle that sidelined him for two months midway through last season.

Atlanta is hoping he can return to the form that made him an National League All-Star during his first full season in 2003. He has hit at least .311 in the two seasons he has had 350 or more major-league at-bats.

"Ever since he's been up here, he's been pretty darned consistent," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "If not for the head injury (suffered in a 2003 collision with Cubs pitcher Mark Prior) and the broken collarbone, he had a chance to be top-10 in MVP (voting), in my view."

Marcus said his injuries are well behind him and haven't affected him this season. If that remains true, he could be primed for another season like his 2003 campaign.

He'll certainly have a fan in the opposing dugout this week.

"I think I'm more proud of him and the way he goes about his business and the success he's had early on in his career," Brian said. "The only thing I wish for him is to be healthy, because I think when he's healthy, he shows everybody that he's a pretty decent player at this level."

Contact staff writer Greg Ball at (951) 676-4315, ext. 2629 or gball@nctimes.com. Staff writer Brian Hiro contributed to this report.