Time to return to Moneyball 2012 which I have neglected for so long that the feature started out as Moneyball 2011 and it is been at least 5 months since we posted on the subject.
Chad Bradford is one of Billy Beane's diamond in the rough trade pick ups. The other thing that we find out about Bradford in Moneyball is that Bradford is a sindwinding righty. Anytime an issue emerges with his pitching Bradford lowers his delivery slighty until at the time of "Moneyball" Bradford is actually dragging his knuckles on the ground when he pitches.
2003 Topps #29 Chad Bradford (image swiped from Baseball Card Database)
Bradford's tenure with the A's lasted until 2005 when he was traded to the Boston Red Sox. He eventually found his way to the Tampa Bay Rays and contributed to their 2008 American League Championship team. Bradford made it to the postseason 7 times over a 12 year career.
2 degrees of Separation
I once met a college teammate of Chad Bradford. Just some guy I met in a bar. I am pretty sure he really knew Bradford, because who the hell is ever going to bring up that they played baseball with a set up reliever. This happened several years ago - the bar has changed hands a few times since then - and all I remember about the conversation is that Chad Bradford was pretty much on the same level as the rest of the pitchers on the University of Southern Mississippi team, Then one year he shows up and has 5 more MPH and became an MLB prospect. It was also mentioned that Bradford was trying to hang on long enough for his major league pension to kick in. I believe to get across the pension bridge you need to have 10 years of major league service, which Bradford should have cleared.
Chad Bradford 2012.
Tonight Bradford is representing the A's at the MLB draft. He has been retired since 2009. According to his Wikipedia page he is currently coaching in his native Mississippi.
Other draft Reps include HoFs Frank Robinson, Fergie Jenkins, and Tommy LaSorda.
The Phils will be represented by their Hall of Famer, Pat Gillick along with Bill Giles. Phils alums Pat Corralles and Bob Boone will be the Reps for the Nationals.
Moneyball 2011-2012
Links to previous MB 2011-2012 posts
etc
Here is a link to a Moneyball and Collecting related article in Beckett that I first saw referenced by Chris Olds via Twitter.
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