George Bradley

George Washington Bradley (July 13, 1852 – October 2, 1931), nicknamed "Grin", was an American professional baseball player who was a pitcher and infielder. He played for multiple teams in the early years of the National League, the oldest league still active in Major League Baseball (MLB). Bradley is noted for pitching the first no-hitter that is officially recognized by MLB, on July 15, 1876, for the St. Louis Brown Stockings against the Hartford Dark Blues. As a player, he was listed at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) and 175 pounds (79 kg); he threw and batted right-handed.[1]

For other people named George Bradley, see George Bradley (disambiguation).
George Bradley
Pitcher / Third baseman
Born: (1852-07-13)July 13, 1852
Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died: October 2, 1931(1931-10-02) (aged 79)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 4, 1875, for the St. Louis Brown Stockings
Last MLB appearance
August 8, 1888, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics
Win–loss record171–151
Earned run average2.43
Strikeouts671
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Baseball career

Bradley is credited as throwing the first official no-hit, no-run game in major league history.[2] He pitched for the St. Louis Brown Stockings in the clubs victory over the Hartford Dark Blues on July 15, 1876. The score ended 2–0 without a hit being allowed by Bradley. That year, he completed 63 of the 64 games for St. Louis, winning 45 and leading the league with a 1.23 earned run average. Additionally, he also threw 16 shutouts, setting a record which has not been broken to date, although was tied in 1916, 40 years later, by Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander.[2]

After 1876, Bradley was not as effective as a pitcher and played mostly other positions after 1879. He was involved in professional baseball for 30 years, 19 of them with the Philadelphia Athletics. In 1883, he was the team's regular third baseman and also went 16–7 on the mound to help the A's win the American Association championship.[3]

In 1887, he served as a player-manager for the Nashville Blues of the Southern League.[4]

Later life

Bradley became a Philadelphia police officer following his baseball career.

He died at his home in Philadelphia,[1]on October 2, 1931.

At the time of his death at age 79, he was retired on a pension from the police department which he had only begun receiving in September 1931.

Bradley was interred at the Northwood Cemetery in Philadelphia.[1]

See also

References
  1. "George Bradley Stats". Baseball-Almanac.com. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
  2. Ivor-Campbell, Fred. "George Bradley". baseballbiography.com. Retrieved 2010-10-22.
  3. "1883 Philadelphia Athletics". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2010-10-22.
  4. Traughber, Bill. "Looking Back: Nashville Blues." Nashville Sounds. April 26, 2004. Retrieved on March 22, 2008.
  • Philadelphia Public Ledger, Sunday Morning, Oct. 4, 1931, P.6
  • MacMillan Baseball Encyclopedia Digital Edition (1996)
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