Banana Ball just made its biggest player acquisition in the league\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
MLB World Series champion and former Boston Red Sox All-Star Jackie Bradley Jr. was the No. 1 overall pick in the inaugural Banana Ball Draft on Thursday, joining the Indianapolis Clowns.<\/p>\n
Bradley, who last played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals in 2023, said he decided earlier this week to join Banana Ball. He is the first ex-MLB player to commit to playing in the league full-time.<\/p>\n
The former Gold Glove Award-winning outfielder made his Banana Ball debut<\/a> in July during a game at Fenway Park, the historic home of the Red Sox.<\/p>\n More than 100 current or former MLB players have participated in Banana Ball games in recent years, league founder Jesse Cole said in an Instagram video<\/a> announcing Bradley.<\/p>\n The Clowns, Bradley\u2019s new team, was added to the Banana Ball league in October. The franchise, which disbanded in 1989, has history dating back nearly a century, when it played 12 seasons in the Negro Leagues from 1943-54. <\/p>\n The Clowns were the Negro Leagues\u2019 version of the exhibition basketball team Harlem Globetrotters, and the team \u201cexcelled as ballplayers and comedic geniuses,\u201d per MLB.com<\/a>. MLB legend Hank Aaron signed his first professional baseball contract with the Clowns in 1953 for $200 per month.<\/p>\n Bradley said he\u2019s looking forward to embracing the Clowns\u2019 rich history.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like this was another opportunity to not only the league, but to be able to help the people behind me to … hopefully, catapult other African American ballplayers to want to play the game,\u201d Bradley told ESPN<\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite joining the Clowns and Banana Ball, Bradley said he hasn\u2019t ruled out a return to MLB if the opportunity arises.<\/p>\n \u201cIf there\u2019s an opportunity [to go back to the majors], I would obviously weigh that,\u201d he said. \u201cIf that\u2019s for my family, then I\u2019m not going to rule out any opportunities. But it\u2019s not something that I\u2019m striving for. I\u2019m very content with how my career has unfolded. I\u2019ve been truly blessed. I\u2019m just enjoying the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Bradley played 12 seasons in MLB for the Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and Royals from 2013-23. He earned his lone career All-Star selection in 2016 with Boston, and helped lead the Red Sox to winning the World Series in 2018. He also earned a Gold Glove Award that same season.<\/p>\n For his MLB career, Bradley hit .225 with 109 home runs, 449 RBI and a .684 OPS in 1,181 games.<\/p>\n Banana Ball returns to Cleveland<\/a> from Sept. 25-26, 2026, at the Cleveland Guardians\u2019 home Progressive Field.<\/p>\n \u201cBradley going to Banana Ball begs a couple of questions,\u201d said Marc Bona, a features writer for cleveland.com \/ The Plain Dealer who has written four books on sports. \u201cCan this be the start of a trend? And equally important, how will a career .225 hitter do with all the zaniness around him?\u201d<\/p>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n