Huge ovation a reminder Red Sox fans have soft spot for Jackie Bradley Jr. originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Jackie Bradley Jr. has ridden the rollercoaster over nearly a decade in Boston, from the highs of a Gold Glove, All-Star appearance and ALCS MVP to the lows of a .198 batting average and his departure in free agency.
The prodigal outfielder has returned, however, and before Friday’s home opener, Red Sox fans let him know just how much they’ve missed him. Bradley received by far the loudest ovation of any player during pregame introductions, a fact that both surprised and touched him.
“That was exciting,” Bradley said. “To have that type of support, it means a lot. It lets you know that a lot of people are in your corner.”
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It has been quite a journey for the former first round pick, who was selected 40th overall in the 2011 MLB Draft, the last run by Theo Epstein. He debuted in Yankee Stadium in 2013 and memorably walked three times, including two off CC Sabathia.
“It feels like yesterday,” Bradley said. “I remember.”
He started the All-Star Game in 2016 and appeared poised for stardom, but it never arrived. While Bradley’s Gold Glove-caliber defense never waned — he finally earned the award in 2018 — his bat fluctuated like a seismograph, with periods of volcanic eruption interspersed between stretches of relative silence.
When he joined the Brewers in free agency last year, his Red…