Mother of top Rays prospect continues tradition for MLB debut

Taj Bradley Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Mother of top Rays prospect continues special tradition for MLB debut

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Apr 12, 2023 10:49 PM ET

On Wednesday, Taj Bradley realized a lifelong dream when he made his Major League debut for the Tampa Bay Rays.

To help make the milestone even more special, Bradley's mother, Ana Mosley, was in attendance. It happened to be her birthday. Mosley called her son's debut the "best gift he could give." It also allowed her to carry on a tradition that began with Bradley's very first game.

In attendance at Tropicana Field, Mosley revealed to Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports that she has kept score for every one of her son's games.

As if a MLB debut isn’t exciting enough….Today is Taj Bradley’s mom’s birthday.

Her son is making his MLB debut on her birthday.

She said it’s the “best gift he could ever give.”

And she’s keeping a scorecard. Has kept one every game since he started playing baseball. pic.twitter.com/YSGmNo6UeJ
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) April 12, 2023

The bond between Bradley and his mother is a strong one. In a recent Q&A with MLB.com's Joe Trezza, Bradley said his mother was the most significant off-the-field influence on his career.

"I'll always say it's her," Bradley said. "We moved to Atlanta when I was four, her and my two brothers, and it was just us for the longest time. Seeing how she raised us, how she kept her composure and the things she instilled in us to make us who we are today, it was huge."

The 22-year-old lived up to his status as the Rays' top pitching prospect on Wednesday, earning the win in a 9-7 Tampa Bay victory. Bradley allowed three earned runs on five hits while posting eight strikeouts over his five strong innings on the mound.

Proud parent content >>>> pic.twitter.com/9pH0R19XZ5
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 12, 2023

With this one in the books, Bradley became only the second pitcher since 1900 to debut for a team on a 10-plus game win streak, joining Mike McQueen of the Atlanta Braves in 1969, per ESPN Stats and Info.

The Rays improved to 12-0 after Wednesday's victory, continuing their scorching start to the 2023 campaign.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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