Jim Bragan
Encyclopedia
James Alton Bragan was an infielder
, manager and league president in American
minor league baseball
, a scout and coach
at the major league level
, and a college baseball coach during a 40-plus year career in the game. He was the brother of former major league catcher
, shortstop
, manager and coach Bobby Bragan
.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama
, Jimmy Bragan attended Mississippi State University
and played baseball in the Brooklyn Dodgers
farm system from 1950-1957. After his playing career ended, he was the manager of the Bluefield Dodgers in 1957 and then joined the Cincinnati Reds
organization as a scout. He remained a scout with the Reds through 1966 and then spent time as a major league coach with Cincinnati from 1967-1969.
Bragan was the first base coach of the Montreal Expos
in 1970 and the team's third base coach in 1972. He also was manager of the Expos' AAA Winnipeg Whips
for the latter half of 1971, head baseball coach of Mississippi State University in 1975, and a coach with the Milwaukee Brewers
in 1976 and 1977. He was president of the AA Southern League
from 1981-94, one of the most successful periods in that league's history.
In 1994 he was presented with the King of Baseball
award given by Minor League Baseball.
Bragan died in Westover, Alabama
, in 2001 at the age of 72.
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
, manager and league president in American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, a scout and coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
at the major league level
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...
, and a college baseball coach during a 40-plus year career in the game. He was the brother of former major league 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...
, shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, manager and coach Bobby Bragan
Bobby Bragan
Robert Randall Bragan was a shortstop, catcher, manager, and coach in American Major League Baseball. He also was an influential executive in minor league baseball...
.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, Jimmy Bragan attended Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
and played baseball in the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
farm system from 1950-1957. After his playing career ended, he was the manager of the Bluefield Dodgers in 1957 and then joined the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
organization as a scout. He remained a scout with the Reds through 1966 and then spent time as a major league coach with Cincinnati from 1967-1969.
Bragan was the first base coach of the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
in 1970 and the team's third base coach in 1972. He also was manager of the Expos' AAA Winnipeg Whips
Winnipeg/Peninsula Whips
The Winnipeg Whips and the Peninsula Whips were names of a minor league baseball franchise that played in the International League from June 11, 1970, through the end of the 1973 baseball season....
for the latter half of 1971, head baseball coach of Mississippi State University in 1975, and a coach with the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in 1976 and 1977. He was president of the AA Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
from 1981-94, one of the most successful periods in that league's history.
In 1994 he was presented with the King of Baseball
King of Baseball
King of Baseball is a ceremonial title awarded by Minor League Baseball to one person each year in recognition of longtime dedication and service to professional baseball.- Background :The title was first awarded in 1951...
award given by Minor League Baseball.
Bragan died in Westover, Alabama
Westover, Alabama
Westover is a city in Shelby County, Alabama, United States. It was officially incorporated on January 31, 2001 although it was established in 1901 and had a population of 961 when it was incoporporated in 2001....
, in 2001 at the age of 72.