cott R. Galvin-Imagn Images

Former Red Sox Outfielder Is Not Retired... Yet

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated Mar 11, 2025 6:00 PM ET

Jackie Bradley Jr. was an electrifying center fielder for the Boston Red Sox in his heyday. While Father Time seems to have caught up with Bradley Jr., he has not officially retired from the MLB.

Here’s what he had to say about retirement:

“It set in for me,” Bradley Jr. told the WEEI radio show. “The wife and kids still want me to go. Physically, I definitely could (still play). Mentally, I’m not sure I’m there, but it’s been fun.”

“I’ve been appreciative for everything I’ve went through and the moments that I’ve had… There was never a place that I didn’t play where I didn’t feel like it was top-notch.”

Among those top-notch organizations is Boston, where Bradley Jr. spent nine of the first ten years of his career from 2013-2022.

He was never famed for his bat, despite having multiple 20-home run campaigns, including a 26-HR outburst in 2016, his lone all-star season.

It was his remarkable range in center field that allowed him to navigate even the trickiest of fly balls and crazy caroms off the walls. It was his powerful arm that held runners at bay for years. He only won one Gold Glove, but anyone who watched him knew his true defensive value.

The 2018 ALCS MVP spent time with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021 before returning to the Red Sox. Then, he wrapped up his MLB run with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022 and the Kansas City Royals in 2023.

Just last year, he spent his age-33 season on the Syracuse Mets, the triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, and on the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League.

If his numbers are any indicator (.176 MLB batting average and .513 OPS since 2021), Bradley’s Big League playing days are likely over. However, having not officially signed his retirement papers, the door is still open.

His recent discussion on WEEI makes it sound like he is ready to move on, but until those papers are signed, nothing is out of the question.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: