Derrick Hall: Archie Bradley is the D-backs’ emotional leader
Sep 21, 2017, 11:37 AM | Updated: 11:38 am
Arizona Diamondbacks' Archie Bradley (25) slaps hands with catcher Chris Hermann, left, after the final out of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Paul Goldschmidt is known for his quiet leadership, both on the field and in the clubhouse. Archie Bradley has taken a slightly different approach.
The Diamondbacks’ reliever is not afraid to share his opinion and get emotional. It showed during Wednesday night’s win over the San Diego Padres when Bradley drove in two-runs with a single and reached third on an error.
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Team president and CEO Derrick Hall said he has never seen Paul Goldschmidt that happy during a game.
“That tells you how important Archie is to this team and how much they love the guy,” Hall said. “He has really been the personality and the life. He’s been the guy that’s the cheerleader all year long. For him to come up in a situation where he can deliver two RBIs and end up on third base pointing at the dugout, he was so excited. The team was for him too.”
Hall said Bradley has become one of the team’s leaders, and Wednesday night was just another example.
“That is who he is, that is who this team is, and we have said it all year and it is true, it is not just lip service,” Hall said. “They really care about each other and they love their leaders, and Archie has truly become one of the leaders on that team.”
Not only has Bradley led off the field, firing guys up in the bullpen or in the dugout, the 25-year-old right hander has led by example on the field too. “The Beard” has not allowed a run in 10 straight appearances and 23 of his last 24.
Bradley’s 1.17 ERA this season leads all major league relievers entering Thursday’s action, and his 4.1 bWAR also ranks first among all relievers and 18th among all pitchers.
