Not an alumni, but close....

Maybe?

The Prodigal Beat Writer catches up with the Menasha Hinskies. Eric is in his third consecutive World Series. Ryan is part of a Wisconsin High School Football powerhouse.

A text message greeted Ryan Hinske as he rolled out of the sack early Monday morning.

It was from his younger brother, Eric, and the six-word communication was familiar:

"Going back to the Series, bro."

That would be the World Series, bro. For the third straight season, bro. As a member of the New York Yankees, bro.

"He's spraying champagne, and I'm standing in the rain in (football) practice," Ryan said with a chuckle as he thought about Eric hootin' and hollerin' and showering his teammates with bubbly as the Yankees celebrated last Sunday's American League Championship Series triumph over the Los Angeles Angels, a victory that sent the fabled franchise back to the Fall Classic for the 40th time.

"It's hard not to be jealous of my little brother," said Ryan, "but I'm happy for him because he's getting to experience something few in the world get to."

Hinskie was in the World Series in 2008 with the Tampa Bay Rays and in 2007 with the Boston Red Sox.

Thank you, Brett. You got found the last player to appear in three straight World Series with three different teams.

And should he get some playing time in this year's title bout – the series resumes today with the Bronx Bombers looking to grab a 2-1 series edge against Philadelphia – he'll become the first player to have appeared in three consecutive World Series while wearing the uniforms of three different clubs since former slugger Don Baylor in 1986, '87 and '88.

Baylor with the Red Sox, the Twins, and the Athletics.