Happy Baseball Birthday...Tom Bradley

Today's Happy Baseball Birthday! wishes have a local Jacksonville flavor.

Tom Bradley turns 66 years young today.

Bradley played college baseball at Maryland and pitched in the big leagues from 1969-1975, for the California Angels, Chicago White Sox, and San Francisco Giants.

In 183 appearances Tom finished with a 55-61 record, with a 3.72 ERA.

"The controlled breaking pitch that (Johnny) Sain teaches already has saved me in a couple of games and it's certainly easier on my arm, and easier to control than the full curve or regular slider." - Tom Bradley in Baseball Digest (August 1971)...from Baseball Almanac

I first became familiar with Tom Bradley when I moved to Jacksonville 32 years ago.

Bradley was the Manager of the Jacksonville University Men's Baseball team, and for 12 years he guided the Dolphins to a 432-291-5 record.

JU has always put a competitive team on the field, and Bradley was the man who started the building of the foundation that is Dolphins baseball.

Over the years the Dolphins have played in 14 NCAA Baseball Regionals...that's a pretty big deal when you have to go against Florida, Florida State, and Miami every year for ballplayers.

JU has had 34 All-American's, and have sent 9 players to the big leagues.

You can follow Dolphins Baseball on Twitter here... @JUBaseball

Happy Birthday Tom...Go Dolphins!