Jackie Bradley Jr. becomes first ex-MLB star to commit full time to Banana Ball - ESPN

The Indianapolis Clowns selected former 11-year major leaguer and 2018 World Series champion Jackie Bradley Jr. with the first pick in the inaugural Banana Ball player draft Thursday night, making him the first former MLB player to commit to participate full time in Banana Ball.

The former Boston Red Sox outfielder, an All-Star in 2016 and Golden Glove winner in 2018, told ESPN that his decision to play Banana Ball came together «days ago.»

With his oldest daughter being a big fan of Banana Ball, Bradley made an appearance for the Savannah Bananas during a July game at Fenway Park. He called it a great appearance that ultimately led Jesse Cole, founder of Banana Ball, to reach out to him about joining the Clowns.

A post shared by Jackie Bradley Jr. (@jackiebradleyjr)

The Clowns have a rich history, serving as the Negro Leagues' version of the Harlem Globetrotters as an exhibition team and signing Hank Aaron to his first professional contract. They were also one of the first teams to roster women, such as Mamie Johnson, Toni Stone and Connie Morgan.

The team launched in 1935, was eventually disbanded in 1989, and had been inactive until Cole announced in October that it would be part of the inaugural 60-game season of the Banana Ball Championship League in 2026. Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, said last month that the partnership between the league and museum is «a tremendous opportunity, to not only entertain, but educate fans about the rich history of the Negro Leagues while paying homage to the team that helped influence Banana Ball.»

Bradley emphasized the Clowns' role in «bridging pre-integration Black baseball to the modern baseball.» He called it a perfect fit to join them, saying he