Jackie Bradley Jr. is coming up on 10 years of playing baseball in the majors.
But when he’s done playing baseball, he says he doesn’t want anything to do with the sport. That’s right, in an interview with the Boston Globe Today, Bradley stated “I have other things I want to do with my life.”
His longevity in the game alone is a significant accomplishment, and he still remains one of the best defenders in the outfield. When it’s all said and done, the 33-year-old will walk away from the game as a World Series champ, an all-star, and a Gold Glove winner. Not too many players will get to accomplish what Bradley has done.
But when asked what baseball memories he’ll tell his grandchildren one day,” Bradley’s answer would be shocking to some.
“Nothing,” he said. “I won’t talk about baseball once I’m done with it. I’m not bitter; I just have other interests. Baseball was fun but I liked it for what it was at the time.”
Jackie Bradley Jr. Giving MLB One Last Dance
Bradley did not know what the future would look like going into the 2023 season, but he is making the most of his time playing with the Kansas City Royals.
After he finishes helping to move along the KC rebuild, Bradley will most likely hang up his cleats to focus on his loved ones and possibly spending some time in another country.
“I want to enjoy my family, travel, play golf, and just relax,” Bradley said. “I have plenty of things I enjoy outside of this game.”
“Spain intrigues me,” he said. “I’d love to see my kids get that opportunity. I think living in a place where they learn a new language would be great. I wish I could have done that at their age.”
Bradley seems to already have one field off the diamond and into his golf shoes. And you can see that he and his family intend to join every minute of it. During his career, Bradley has played for four different teams, spending most of his career with the Boston Red Sox. That is where he won a World Series and was named the MVP of the ALCS. It was the peak of his career.
“Good times and some bad times. It’s all part of it,” Bradley said. “Everyone’s life is like that in whatever business you’re in. How it ended in Boston, that’s not something I think about.”
Bradley has had some rollercoaster moments in his career, dealing with injuries and also struggling at the plate at times. But he continues to go out there and play his heart out.
Now that he’s with Kansas City, Bradley wants to add value to a team that’s rebuilding.
“Helping out anyway I possibly can,” Bradley said. “I’m definitely enjoying it. Talking about my experiences and ultimately just being around the guys. It’s fun.
Through 36 games this season, Bradley has six RBI and has appeared in every position in the outfield with the Royals this season, seeing the most action in centerfield. Unsurprisingly, he has not committed an error and has three outfield assists. One thing that Bradley will always be known for is his defensive abilities.
And when his career is over, he will have no regrets from playing.
“Baseball doesn’t owe me anything,” Bradley said. “I had a great time and I still am. But when it’s over, I’ll have a lot of life to live.”
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