PHOENIX - Two-time All-Star outfielder Justin Upton was with his parents at his Scottsdale, Ariz., condo late Wednesday night when he received the news, and by Thursday afternoon, the family still was numb, with their lifelong dream turning into reality.
Manny and Yvonne Upton now get to see their two sons, Justin and B.J., playing together for the first time since high school.
This time with the Atlanta Braves.
Justin Upton was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks along with third baseman Chris Johnson to Atlanta. The Diamondbacks received third baseman Martin Prado and four prospects: pitcher Randall Delgado, shortstop Nick Ahmed, pitcher Zeke Spruill and first baseman Brandon Drury.
"A great day for the family,'' Manny Upton said. "A dream come true.''
The Uptons, three years apart (B.J., 28, Justin 25) always hoped one day they would play on the same major-league team before they retired. Yet, for it to happen in the prime of their careers, is beyond their wildest imagination.
"We have wanted to play together since we were little,'' Justin Upton told USA TODAY Sports, "but we didn't think it would be possible until later in our careers.
"It really hasn't sunk in, and it probably won't until we hit spring training. Right now, I'm just excited and happy for my family.''
B.J. actually informed Braves GM Frank Wren during dinner in November after signing a five-year, $75 million free-agent contract that he badly wanted to play one day with his brother. Wren, who had already engaged in preliminary trade talks with Arizona, laughed, and said he would try to make it happen.
"He said it was possibility,'' B.J told USA TODAY Sports, "but I thought it was far-fetched. Here we are, a month and half later, and it's reality. We definitely hoped we could do this sometime in our career, but for it to happen so early, it's a real blessing.
"It's going to be great. I know we'll be pushing each other, that's what we've done our whole careers.''
Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers, who had two sets of brothers while the GM in San Diego - Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez, and Brian and Marcus Giles - believes the brotherly tandem can bring out the best in one other.
"I know it's a very tight-knit family, and everything I gather,'' Towers said, "they're probably going to push one another and enjoy roaming the outfield together. It could difficult for the manager if one brother is struggling, but I think it will be a good thing.
"There was a lot of pressure on Justin here. He was the face of the organization, the rising star, and everybody was kind of jumping on his back. The expectations were through the roof. The team struggled, and it was always seemed like it was because of Justin.
"Now, having the opportunity to go to a different place, where he's going to fit in with star players over there, and reunited with his brother, I think it's going to take the pressure off him.''
Certainly, with an outfield of B.J. in center, and flanked by Justin in left and Jason Heyward in right, the Braves believe their outfield is as talented as any in baseball.
"I feel with the extra push from each other,'' Justin Upton said, "there's no question we can be the best outfield in baseball. But I'm not going to give us that label until we prove it."