Drew's 100th homer puts him, brother in elite group

ST. PETERSBURG -- Growing up in Valdosta, Ga., Stephen Drew used to chase his older brothers around the front yard, trying to keep up in their neighborhood pickup baseball and football games. All these years later, he's still catching up.

Drew slugged his 100th career home run in Friday's 5-4 victory over the Rays at Tropicana Field, joining his brother J.D. as the eighth pair of brothers to each hit at least 100 homers in the Major Leagues.

"That's pretty neat," Drew said. "It's pretty special just to get that and have that is pretty unique. Playing this game, you never know if you'll get even 50, so getting 100 is an accomplishment in itself."

The Drews join some select company in the Alomars (Roberto and Sandy), Boones (Aaron and Bret), Boyers (Ken and Clete), DiMaggios (Joe and Vince), Meusels (Bob and Irish), Uptons (Justin and Melvin Jr.) and Youngs (Dmitri and Delmon).

J.D. Drew hit 242 homers over a 14-year career with the Cardinals, Braves, Dodgers and Red Sox, playing his final big league game in 2011.

Another brother, Tim, made it to the big leagues as a pitcher for the Indians, Expos and Braves, and actually surpassed a 100-homer mark himself; in 11 professional seasons, he surrendered 114 (98 in the Minors).

"It's good to have an older brother, just in general, that's played the game and you can talk to," Drew said. "Most guys don't get that opportunity and I have that. It's definitely an advantage."

The 32-year-old Drew has hit three homers this season, matching his total from the 46 games he played last season with the Yankees. Drew said he is encouraged to be off to a better start this year.

"It's just having good ABs and getting a pitch that I can drive," Drew said. "So far, it's been that way. It's just a good feeling to put some good swings and finally have some good results."