The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees star players shared a common bond in 2018. They both watched their respective team lose the World Series, but an even more painful defeat for them was seeing each other on the other side of newlyweds — Mookie Betts met his wife at the wedding of Yankee great Alex Rodriguez.
Jackie Bradley Jr. attended Mookie Betts’ wedding in December and wound up celebrating more than a marriage.
During their time together with the Boston Red Sox, Jackie Bradley Jr. became close friends with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts. From 2014 until 2019, they shared the same outfield before parting ways.
Betts was traded to the Dodgers before the 2020 season, while Bradley was signed as a free agent by the Milwaukee Brewers a year later. Bradley was invited to Betts’ wedding in December, and the two have stayed close. Bradley got some exciting news on the wedding night, which served to spice up the festivities.
Jackie Bradley Jr. is set to return to the Boston Red Sox for his second season.
Jackie Bradley Jr. of the Boston Red Sox in action during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia on September 27, 2020. | Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Bradley joined the Red Sox in 2013, and was named the team’s opening-day center field starting. He was assigned to Pawtucket after a rough start to the season to help break out of a 3-for-31 slump and make place for David Ortiz, who was dealing with an Achilles issue.
Bradley went back and forth between Boston and Pawtucket a few times that season before establishing in as the starting center fielder for the Red Sox for the most of the 2014 season.
Bradley, who is most known for his defensive abilities, burst into the scene offensively in the opening month of the 2016 season, hitting safely in 29 consecutive games. He ended the season with career highs in home runs (26) and RBI (87), as well as his lone participation in the MLB All-Star Game.
He was a Gold Glove winner in 2018. Bradley tested free agency after the 2020 season, and the Brewers signed him to a two-year, $24 million agreement.
Bradley hit.163 in 387 at-bats during his one season with the Brewers. He hit six home runs and drove in 29 runs in total. The Brewers sent Bradley back to the Red Sox on December 1, 2021.
Mookie Betts’ wedding was attended by Jackie Bradley Jr., who got an unexpected phone call.
*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden} html,bodyheight:100% img,spanposition:absolute;width:100% ;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyhe spanheight:1.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/1.5 sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow
Even after departing the Red Sox, Bradley and Betts have stayed friends. Betts married his longtime girlfriend Brianna Hammonds on Dec. 1, 2021. The night before Major League Baseball’s players went on strike was December 1.
Former Red Sox teammates Bradley and JD Martinez were among those in attendance. Despite the fact that the wedding had a no-cellphone policy, Bradley claimed a phone call he got that night gave him even more cause to rejoice.
“It all occurred so quickly,” Bradley told Mass Live, “but at the time I really didn’t have full time to digest it since I was at a wedding.” “As a result, I was concentrating on it.” So here’s what happened. I’m truly leaving the wedding. So now it’s time for the reception. It was really Markus’ (Mookie’s true name) wedding.”
Bradley said that he had to travel to a designated place to phone his wife and children to check on them.
“I receive a call five seconds after I hang up the phone,” he remarked.
Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns was on the other end of the call. Stearns notified Bradley that he would be returning to the Red Sox in exchange for Hunter Renfroe.
“It’s back to the Red Sox,” he said. ‘Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wo He said, “I mean, I didn’t really have much to say.” “I was a little taken aback.”
Bradley had a lot more fun that night than he had anticipated.
*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden} html,bodyheight:100% img,spanposition:absolute;width:100% ;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyhe spanheight:1.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/1.5 sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow
Bradley hung up and quickly dialed his wife’s number to inform her of the news. Then he chatted with Chaim Bloom, the Red Sox’s chief baseball officer.
He returned to reception after putting his phone away.
He tracked out Martinez and informed him of the situation.
He stated, “I gave him (Martinez) a hug.” “‘Hey, teammate,’ I said. ‘It’s wonderful to see you again.’
Bradley said he tried to relax and take everything in stride, but it was a lot. He was at a friend’s wedding when he learned that he would be returning to Boston.
“The remainder of the night was certainly enjoyable,” Bradley added. “For a little time, I attempted to shove it to the side.” But that was a lot to take in at once.”
RELATED: David Ortiz Is Disappointed That Former Red Sox Teammate Manny Ramirez Isn’t Going to the Hall of Fame With Him
