Chad Bradford
Encyclopedia
Chadwick Lee "Chad" Bradford (born September 14, 1974) is a former Major League Baseball
(MLB) relief pitcher
. He was well known for his extreme submarine
-style pitching, and his success in MLB despite his unconventional delivery and the slow speed at which he threw the ball (his fastball was only in the mid 80-mph range) led to him figuring prominently in the Michael Lewis
book Moneyball, which in 2011 was made into the film of the same title
. Bradford is played by actor Casey Bond
in the highly acclaimed film.
. His father had suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed, so that he could only throw underhand when playing catch with his son. Author Michael Lewis
speculates that memories of his father's throwing motion may have contributed to the development of Bradford's pitching style.
According to Michael Lewis's Moneyball, Bradford attended Central Hinds Academy in Raymond, Mississippi. The Baseball Cube differs, stating that Bradford went to Byram High School. (The two sources are not necessarily inconsistent; The Baseball Cube categorizes players by the high school from which they graduated.) Unlike most players who become major leaguers, he had not exhibited outstanding athletic talent through the early years of high school. But his high school coach suggested he try sidearm pitching after learning some tips about the approach from a professional player. This technique brought him enough success to get a spot on the teams of Hinds Community College
and the University of Southern Mississippi.
He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox
in , but elected to stay in college through 1996. The White Sox—the only major league team that had even scouted him—re-drafted him in the 13th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut in while 23 years old.
In , Bradford made only a short stop in the majors with the rest of the season spent with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights
. He was successful as a September call-up in and pitched in the American League Division Series
. Following the season, the White Sox traded him to the Oakland Athletics
for catcher
Miguel Olivo
.
From to , Bradford was a specialty reliever for the Athletics, having success against right-handed hitters, but getting hit by left-handed
hitters. His ERA
stayed around 3.00 for his entire career until 2004 when he had a setback. It was said to be because of his mounting back pain which eventually forced him on to the disabled list
.
In July, , the Boston Red Sox
acquired Bradford from Oakland in a trade for outfielder
Jay Payton
. Bradford, on the disabled list since undergoing lower back surgery March 7, was activated after the All-Star
break. For Boston, Bradford had a 3.86 ERA with a 1.414 WHIP
in 23⅓ innings.
After the season, he became a free agent
and was signed by the New York Mets
where he was reunited with Rick Peterson
, his pitching coach from the Athletics. He had a very solid year in as a right-handed specialist out of the bullpen, posting a 2.90 ERA in 70 games.
On November 28, 2006 Bradford signed a three-year, 10.5 million dollar deal with the Baltimore Orioles
.
On May 31, 2008, Manny Ramirez
hit his 500th career home run
off of Bradford. On August 7, 2008, Bradford was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named later. Bradford pitched in the 2008 World Series
, allowing one hit in two innings for Tampa Bay.
Bradford remained with the Rays into 2009; however, he began the season on the disabled list after injuring his elbow in spring training. Bradford returned in June but shortly thereafter returned to the disabled list, this time after injuring his back while warming up. Bradford was sidelined again at the end of the season with various pains. When on the mound, he was of questionable effectiveness, allowing 22 hits in 10 innings. Largely because of recurring injuries, Bradford told the St. Petersburg Times after the season that he was considering retirement. With no media attention and no interest from major league clubs, Bradford quietly retired and went to work as a coach in Mississippi.
In 24 career postseason games, Bradford posted a 0.39 ERA, allowing just one run.
After facing over 1,500 batters, Bradford has only given up 28 Home Runs.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
(MLB) relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. He was well known for his extreme submarine
Submarine (baseball)
In baseball, a submarine pitch is one in which the ball is released underhand and just above the ground, with the torso bent at a right angle and shoulders tilted so severely that they rotate around a nearly horizontal axis...
-style pitching, and his success in MLB despite his unconventional delivery and the slow speed at which he threw the ball (his fastball was only in the mid 80-mph range) led to him figuring prominently in the Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis (author)
Michael Lewis is an American non-fiction author and financial journalist. His bestselling books include The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine, Liar's Poker, The New New Thing, Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, Panic and Home Game: An...
book Moneyball, which in 2011 was made into the film of the same title
Moneyball (film)
Moneyball is a 2011 biographical sports drama film directed by Bennett Miller and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film is based on Michael Lewis' 2003 book of the same name, an account of the Oakland Athletics baseball team's 2002 season and their general manager Billy Beane's attempts to...
. Bradford is played by actor Casey Bond
Casey Bond
Casey Bond is an American actor, and former professional baseball player for the San Francisco Giants organization. He has appeared in the television series Gene Simmons Family Jewels, numerous commercials and print ads, and played the role of Chad Bradford in the 2011 film Moneyball.- External...
in the highly acclaimed film.
Early life
Bradford was born in Byram, MississippiByram, Mississippi
Byram is a city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 7,386 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a census-designated place . It is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was incorporated for a second time in its history on June 16, 2009.-History:Byram...
. His father had suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed, so that he could only throw underhand when playing catch with his son. Author Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis (author)
Michael Lewis is an American non-fiction author and financial journalist. His bestselling books include The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine, Liar's Poker, The New New Thing, Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, Panic and Home Game: An...
speculates that memories of his father's throwing motion may have contributed to the development of Bradford's pitching style.
According to Michael Lewis's Moneyball, Bradford attended Central Hinds Academy in Raymond, Mississippi. The Baseball Cube differs, stating that Bradford went to Byram High School. (The two sources are not necessarily inconsistent; The Baseball Cube categorizes players by the high school from which they graduated.) Unlike most players who become major leaguers, he had not exhibited outstanding athletic talent through the early years of high school. But his high school coach suggested he try sidearm pitching after learning some tips about the approach from a professional player. This technique brought him enough success to get a spot on the teams of Hinds Community College
Hinds Community College
Hinds Community College is a community college with its main campus located in Raymond, Mississippi, about five miles west of Jackson, the state capital. The Hinds Community College District includes Hinds County, Claiborne County, part of Copiah County, Rankin County, and Warren County...
and the University of Southern Mississippi.
Professional career
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in , but elected to stay in college through 1996. The White Sox—the only major league team that had even scouted him—re-drafted him in the 13th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut in while 23 years old.
In , Bradford made only a short stop in the majors with the rest of the season spent with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
. He was successful as a September call-up in and pitched in the American League Division Series
American League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series...
. Following the season, the White Sox traded him to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Miguel Olivo
Miguel Olivo
Miguel Eduardo Olivo Peña is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners. He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:...
.
From to , Bradford was a specialty reliever for the Athletics, having success against right-handed hitters, but getting hit by left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
hitters. His ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
stayed around 3.00 for his entire career until 2004 when he had a setback. It was said to be because of his mounting back pain which eventually forced him on to the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
.
In July, , the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
acquired Bradford from Oakland in a trade for outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Jay Payton
Jay Payton
Jason Lee "Jay" Payton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He has played for the New York Mets , Colorado Rockies , San Diego Padres , Boston Red Sox , Oakland Athletics Baltimore Orioles and the Colorado Rockies in 2010. He bats and throws right-handed. Payton is an opposite-field...
. Bradford, on the disabled list since undergoing lower back surgery March 7, was activated after the All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
break. For Boston, Bradford had a 3.86 ERA with a 1.414 WHIP
Walks plus hits per inning pitched
In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base...
in 23⅓ innings.
After the season, he became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
and was signed by the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
where he was reunited with Rick Peterson
Rick Peterson
Erick Harding "Rick" Peterson is a former pitcher and pitching coach in Major League Baseball. He was a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, but is most notable as the pitching coach for the Oakland Athletics and New York Mets...
, his pitching coach from the Athletics. He had a very solid year in as a right-handed specialist out of the bullpen, posting a 2.90 ERA in 70 games.
On November 28, 2006 Bradford signed a three-year, 10.5 million dollar deal with the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
On May 31, 2008, Manny Ramirez
Manny Ramírez
Manuel "Manny" Arístides Ramírez Onelcida is a retired Dominican-American professional baseball outfielder. He was recognized for great batting skill and power, a nine-time Silver Slugger and one of 25 players to hit 500 career home runs. Ramirez's 21 grand slams are third all-time, and his 28...
hit his 500th career home run
500 home run club
In Major League Baseball , the 500 home run club is a term applied to the group of batters who have hit 500 or more regular-season home runs in their careers. On August 11, 1929, Babe Ruth became the first member of the club. Ruth ended his career with 714 home runs, a record which stood from 1935...
off of Bradford. On August 7, 2008, Bradford was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named later. Bradford pitched in the 2008 World Series
2008 World Series
The 2008 World Series was the 104th World Series between the American and National Leagues for the championship of Major League Baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies as champions of the National League and the Tampa Bay Rays, as American League champions, competed to win four games out of a possible...
, allowing one hit in two innings for Tampa Bay.
Bradford remained with the Rays into 2009; however, he began the season on the disabled list after injuring his elbow in spring training. Bradford returned in June but shortly thereafter returned to the disabled list, this time after injuring his back while warming up. Bradford was sidelined again at the end of the season with various pains. When on the mound, he was of questionable effectiveness, allowing 22 hits in 10 innings. Largely because of recurring injuries, Bradford told the St. Petersburg Times after the season that he was considering retirement. With no media attention and no interest from major league clubs, Bradford quietly retired and went to work as a coach in Mississippi.
In 24 career postseason games, Bradford posted a 0.39 ERA, allowing just one run.
After facing over 1,500 batters, Bradford has only given up 28 Home Runs.
Sources
- Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game. Lewis, Michael. W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 2003. ISBN 0-393-05765-8