Brothers of Summer

Two brothers from West Hills, one working in Phoenix, Ariz., and the other in Clearwater, Fla., are taking small steps on a rarely traveled path that could lead to a special moment in baseball history.

Jimmy Wolf, 28, is a promising umpire in the Arizona Instructional League. Randy Wolf, 21, is a top pitching prospect in the Florida Instructional League.

Both dream of making the major leagues--together.

“It would be pretty remarkable,” Jimmy said.

“It would be cool,” Randy said.

It would be a historic moment.

The only brothers to appear in the same game as umpire and player in modern baseball history are the Haller brothers. Bill was the plate umpire and Tom was the catcher for the Detroit Tigers during a game against the Kansas City Royals in 1972.

“He used to say, ‘Come out swinging. It will make it easier on both of us,’ ” Tom said of Bill from his home in Indian Wells. “I wasn’t going to give him a chance to make a tough call.”

Bill, an American League umpire for 21 years, said Baltimore Manager Earl Weaver didn’t like him umpiring against teams that might help his brother’s club.

“That . . . Weaver didn’t like himself,” he said from his home in Brownstown, Ill.

The Wolf brothers have a real chance to make it based on early reviews.

Jimmy was promoted to the double-A Texas League last summer. Randy, a second-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Phillies, was 4-0 with a 1.58 earned-run average in Class-A Batavia, N.Y.

“A month or two after he was here, managers were making comments that he was a very good umpire,” said Tom Kayser, president of the Texas League. “I’ve been in baseball since 1976, and I’d rank him with the top that’s come through. Jim has a presence on the field that’s not confrontational and doesn’t make situations worse.”

Randy, a two-time City Section 4-A player of the year from El Camino Real High and All-American pitcher at Pepperdine, gave up 29 hits in 40 innings in his rookie season.

“With what we saw in a half season, if he continues to show the same ability to pitch and same positive attitude, he has a chance to move in the system at a pretty good pace,” said Mike Arbuckle, the Phillies’ director of scouting.

Jimmy faces the more difficult task reaching the majors. There are only 64 big-league umpires, and even if you reach triple A the wait can be years.

“It’s like trying to get on the Supreme Court,” Randy said.

“It’s just sticking it out and not giving up,” Jimmy said.

Jimmy was a catcher at El Camino Real and Pierce College. He needed to earn money while going to school and started umpiring for Westhills PONY baseball. Then he paid $2,000 to attend an umpires’ school in Florida. He was rated among the best in his class and started working in the minor leagues in 1994.

His steady, easygoing manner fits well in an emotional setting.

“I try to defuse the situation,” he said. “If someone has a question or different view, I’m a good listener.”

Randy jokes that he already has his response--”That’s brutal”--if Jimmy were squeezing him at the plate during a game.

“If he had to umpire me, the strike zone would probably be the size of the ball,” Randy said.

What would their mother, Judy, do with Jimmy behind home plate and Randy on the mound?

“No comment,” she said. “I know Jimmy is the better umpire--I’ll swear to that. Why can’t they have a real job?”

The Wolf brothers love pro baseball and its lifestyle.

“You get to sleep until 1 o’clock, then go eat and go to the field every day,” said Randy, nicknamed “Count Dracula” for his sleeping habits.

“Every town has a mall and I’ve seen it,” said Jimmy, who had several 1,000-mile drives umpiring in the Texas League. “And some towns have two malls and I’ve seen both. I look for cigar stores.”

The Wolfs maintain a close relationship. Even though they’re separated by many miles, they are chasing similar dreams.

“I’m extremely proud of him,” Jimmy said. “He’s come so far. I remember playing Whiffle ball and paint ball with him. At first, I used to kick his butt. Then, over the years, he started winning and kicked my butt.”

Said Randy: “It’s weird. The sport my brother stuck to was baseball, and I always competed with him and always wanted to be as good as him.”

If the moment ever happens when each reaches the majors, they have already decided to share it with another special person--their father, James.

James Wolf died in 1994, Randy’s senior year at El Camino Real. He was the biggest baseball fan in the family.

“I know he’s proud to see both of his sons in professional baseball,” Jimmy said. “I wish he was here to see his face, but it’s satisfying knowing he’s watching.”

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Eric Sondheimer’s local column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at 818-772-3422.