MIAMI – Marlins infielder Connor Norby knew he needed to put on a show during Monday afternoon’s batting practice at loanDepot park with special guests in attendance.
The baseball team from East Carolina University, Norby’s alma mater, locked in on his every swing. One member was especially invested: his younger brother, Ethan Norby.
“I had to show off a little bit,” Connor said. “It was cool. I know a good amount of them, and obviously I know most of the coaches, and a lot of their coaches now I played with at school, and a lot of them have pro ball experience, so it's pretty unique."
Timing was on the Norby family’s side for this reunion.
The Marlins returned Sunday night after a six-game road trip to Minnesota and Tampa Bay, while the Pirates had just finished a three-game weekend series against Florida Atlantic University in nearby Boca Raton. With a few days off before Friday’s first-round game in the American Conference Tournament in Clearwater, the ECU coaches thought it would be the perfect opportunity to catch a Major League game before heading to the west coast of Florida. Connor did the rest, hooking up the group with on-field BP passes.
This wasn’t the first time Ethan, a junior left-hander, was able to catch one of Connor’s Major League games. He did so in 2024 when Connor was still with the Orioles, and again last summer after his collegiate season was done.
“It's pretty crazy,” Ethan said. “I try to keep him a little humble, so I try not to react too much about it, but it's pretty cool to see him live out his dream.”
Connor is a proud older brother. He can rattle off Ethan’s stats – even when he’s not able to watch his start – and often brags about how his younger brother is performing.
Since the brothers are 4 1/2 years apart, they never got to play together. That didn’t stop them from competing against each other in everything from video games to H-O-R-S-E in the front yard.
Naturally, Ethan got compared to Connor every day. Looking back, both acknowledged the benefits of that dynamic.
“I know in high school it bugged him, wearing the same number [No. 1] and same high school coach and everything, but once we got to college, [ECU head coach] Cliff [Godwin], he knew that we were different people,” Connor said. “He knew obviously we were way different players. [Ethan] learned from my mistakes at school, and what to do, what not to do. He came in more prepared than I was, and he was more mature at his age than I was, for sure."
Added Ethan: “It definitely prepared me, because I got to see a lot of it beforehand. He played at ECU as well, so that also helped when I came to college. Just kind of watching the struggles he went through, I guess I got to experience them as well, learn what to do and what not to do, so that was kind of a built-in advantage.”
Very soon, Ethan could continue to follow in Connor’s footsteps. The MLB Draft begins on July 11, and Ethan should be selected at some point over the 20 rounds.
If and when that time comes, Connor anticipates getting to train more with Ethan as they follow similar schedules. Older bro has already imparted valuable advice over the years.
“I think the mental side of the game,” Ethan said. “He's not the greatest at times with it. He can get a little internal, but we're still just going through the game, just playing the game that we played when we were 5 years old in the backyard. It's just on a little bit bigger of a stage.”
Monday night was a bigger stage, with the Marlins hosting the Braves, owners of MLB’s best record.
“It's cool seeing everybody, and I'm glad they all got to come,” Connor said. “Hopefully we get a win tonight and maybe get a couple of hits.”