Edgar and Adrian Gonzalez

Edgar Gonzalez. (image by SD Dirk via flickr)

As kids, Edgar and Adrian Gonzalez played out their fantasies of becoming major leaguers on the streets of Tijuana using a miniature bat and baseballs made out of crumpled paper.

Their dreams became a reality last year, when 30-year-old Edgar joined little brother Adrian on the San Diego Padres roster. It was a dream gig for los bros Gonzalez, who grew up rooting for Padres Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn and moved to San Diego in 1990. "We always joked around that we were going to be playing for the Padres in the big leagues," recalls 26-year-old Adrian. The sons of an air conditioner salesman who also played for the Mexican national baseball team, Edgar and Adrian had distinct experiences in the pros after graduating from Eastlake High in Chula Vista, CA.

Adrian Gonzalez.

A second baseman, Edgar attended San Diego State University and spent nearly a decade in the minors before getting called up, while Adrian, a six-foot-two first baseman, was drafted by the Florida Marlins right out of high school. After being traded to the Padres, the younger Gonzalez eventually developed into a key piece of the team's offense, earning his first All-Star selection last year. Adrian, who says Edgar's major league debut was "long overdue," credits his big brother as an inspiration: "His work ethic and perseverance made him a role model for me."

Upon learning he would join Adrian on the Padres, Edgar made sure he first called his mother to tell her the news. Their older brother, David Gonzalez, Jr., says it was just a matter of time: "My dad has always said that we know two things – air conditioning and baseball."