Career
Bradley played high school baseball and football in Macomb, Illinois for the Macomb High Bombers. Due to his success there, the Macomb High School baseball field was later dedicated in his name. Also a talented football player, he played college football at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri and was their starting quarterback from 1978 through 1980.
One of the most decorated athletes in MU annals, Bradley lettered in football at MU from 1977-1981, and in baseball in 1979-1980-81.
Bradley quarterbacked the Tigers to three bowl games. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the 1981 amateur draft and made his Major League debut on September 2, 1983, as a pinch hitter against the New York Yankees.
Bradley became Seattle"s regular left fielder in 1984, batting.301 in 124 games. In 1985 he hit.300 in 159 games and was selected to the American League All-Star team
Bradley was a productive player in Seattle, never hitting below.297 in four full seasons while also stealing 107 bases.
On April 29, 1986, Bradley was Roger Clemens" 20th and final strikeout as the pitcher set a major league record for strikeouts in a game. In December 1987, the Mariners traded Bradley and Tim Fortugno to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Mike Jackson, Glenn Wilson, and minor leaguer Dave Brundage. Bradley hit a respectable.264 in his only season with the Phillies.
Almost one year to the day since arriving from the Mariners, the Phillies, desperately in need of pitching help, dealt Bradley to the Baltimore Orioles for Gordon Dillard and Ken Howell.
Back in the more familiar American League, Bradley"s batting average rose to.277 in his first season in Baltimore. In mid-season 1990, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Ron Kittle.
Shortly after retirement, he was hired as the baseball coach at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. He also taught classes there, including upper level classes on sports history.
In September 2009, Bradley was named as a volunteer assistant coach of the University of Missouri softball team for the 2009-2010 season.
He is currently a Special Assistant to the Executive Director for the Major League Baseball Players Association.
