Bill Bradford

From BR Bullpen

William D. Bradford

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 2", Weight 180 lb.

Debut April 24, 1956
Final Game April 24, 1956
Born August 28, 1921 in Choctaw, AR USA
Died August 22, 2000 in Fairfield Bay, AR USA

[edit] Biographical Information

A United States Navy veteran of World War II, Bill Bradford was 27 years old when he signed his first professional contract in 1949. He was discovered pitching in a semi-pro league in Sacramento, CA, where he had been since being discharged from the Navy.

Bill was signed by the Yakima Bears of the class B Western International League where he went 13-9 with a 3.96 ERA. Bill would pitch seven seasons in the minors before the 1956 Kansas City Athletics liked what they saw. The Athletics would purchase Bradford from the PCL San Francisco Seals for $75,000. Bill had been with the Seals from 1951 through 1955.

Bill made his major league debut at age 34 for the Kansas City A's in 1956, allowing two runs in two innings in his only appearance in the major's. He was sent back down and spent until 1958 in the high minors, before deciding to call it a career.

Besides his early semi-pro years, Bill spent 10 seasons in pro baseball from 1949 through 1958. Bradford's minor league work sheet shows that he appeared in 351 games, winning 90 and losing 77, pitching 1,432 innings, giving up 1,462 base hits and 516 base on balls for a 3.53 career ERA.

After leaving the game, Bill would return to his native state, where he worked in law enforcement and sold real estate in Fairfield Bay, AR, where he died, August 22, 2000, at the age of 78.