Trade paves way for on-field family reunion
David Adler
@_dadlerPHOENIX -- What better place than American Family Fields of Phoenix for a cool baseball family moment?
Brothers Owen and Noah Miller got to play against each other during the Dodgers¡¯ 11-3 Cactus League victory over the Brewers on Saturday afternoon.
Owen, the older brother at 27, has three big league seasons under his belt and is entering his second season as a utility infielder with the Brewers. He started the game at first base for Milwaukee. His 21-year-old brother, Noah, is a Dodgers middle infield prospect who was drafted 36th overall (by the Twins) in 2021.
"It was our first time ever playing against each other," Noah said after the game. "So it was a pretty cool, pretty exciting moment. It's just a Spring Training game, but, hopefully, someday we'll be able to do it in a regular-season game -- or a playoff game.¡±
The Miller brothers got to share the field when, with Owen playing first, Noah entered the game as a pinch-runner in the top of the sixth inning, then stayed in the game at shortstop. It was actually Noah's first game action for the Dodgers.
"I've heard nothing but great things about the Dodgers organization, so I know he's in good hands," Owen said. "I think [Noah's] got a really good opportunity over there, and it's cool to see him in the Dodger blue."
Owen and Noah's parents got to see them in action, too -- and that Miller family day was only possible because the Dodgers just traded for Noah in the deal that sent Manuel Margot to the Twins earlier this week. The Twins play their Spring Training games in Florida.
"Everything happened really quick," Owen said. "Our parents had it booked that they were coming to Arizona and then Fort Myers after. Next thing you know, in a span of four days, all of a sudden we're playing against each other in Arizona."
It also took a little luck that Noah got put onto the half of the Dodgers' split squad that came to American Family Fields of Phoenix, instead of staying home to face the Cubs at Camelback Ranch. Noah didn't even have to ask his way onto the trip.
"I was just put on it," Noah said. "I didn't think it'd be this early, but I'm glad it was. And it was a great experience."