Chad Bradford, a former Hinds Community College baseball standout and member of the Hinds Sports Hall of Fame, is in his third season as the Eagles pitching coach.
Bradford, who is featured prominently in the best-selling book and movie, “Moneyball,” for his unique submarine-style pitching delivery and his success in Major League Baseball, was a Byram High School standout who played for former coach Rick Clarke at Hinds in 1994 and 1995, helping lead the Eagles to two consecutive National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series appearances.
Bradford, who went to the University of Southern Mississippi after his time at Hinds, was drafted in the 13th round of the 1996 MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox.
He was traded after the 2000 season to the Oakland A's, where he spent the 2001-2004 seasons. Bradford then spent the 2005 season with the Boston Red Sox, the 2006 season with the New York Mets, the 2007 and part of the 2008 season with the Baltimore Orioles and part of the 2008 and entire 2009 season with the Tampa Bay Rays before retiring following the 2009 season.
Bradford appeared in 24 postseason games throughout his career, posting an incredible 0.39 ERA and allowing only one run.
The highlight of his postseason career came when he competed in the 2008 World Series with the Rays.
Bradford finished his major league career with a 36-28 record, 3.26 ERA and 313 strikeouts in 515.2 innings pitched.
He currently lives in Raymond with his wife Jenny, and the couple has two sons, Keller and Walker, and a daughter, Lanie.
