Aledoans gathered by the hundreds at the Bearcat Baseball Field on Monday, Dec. 4, to celebrate one of their own.
Cody Bradford made his return to Aledo following a remarkable rookie campaign with the Texas Rangers that saw the 25-year-old make his first Major League start, his first playoff appearance, and win his first World Series all in a matter of six months time.
“I can’t thank coach (Chad) Barry and his wife, Mrs. (Sunshine) Barry enough,” Bradford said during the event. “Sunshine did such a good job putting this event on. They made it really easy on my wife and me. They told us where to be and when. The rest they put on.
“We’re just so grateful to come back to a community that shows this much support.”
The event kicked off with hundreds of fans, friends, family, and media swarming the gates of Tim Buchanan Stadium as they made their way down the path to the baseball and softball complex. People lined the roadway as Bradford and his wife, Madi, waved to the crowd from the back of a pickup, courtesy of long-time Aledo baseball supporter, Moritz Chevrolet.
Once the parade concluded, people filled the stands and the grounds around the baseball field where it was standing room only to greet Aledo’s prodigal son.
“We weren’t sure how many people to expect,” said Chad Barry. “I figured there would be several. But this community always does that. They support their kids. They support their extracurricular programs. It doesn’t matter if it’s the band or the football team.
“So, to see one of their own come through this program and do the things has been able to do, and to come back for us to celebrate with him, I think it means the world to this community. I think they’re showing him that tonight.”
During the ceremony, Aledo mayor, Nick Stanley read a proclamation from the city, hereby making Dec. 4 Cody Bradford Day in Aledo.
What happened next came as a shock to the lanky left-hander.
Aledo baseball coach Chad Barry took to the mic, informing Bradford and all the members of Bearcat Nation on hand that Bradford’s high school number, 18, is officially retired.
“Oh, my gosh,” Bradford exclaimed. “That’s insane. I was not expecting that. It’s a true honor. I hope that’s motivation for guys coming up that they can do it too.”
Barry presented a framed Aledo baseball jersey sporting No. 18 to Bradford before directing his attention to the right-field wall. On the wall just below the scoreboard is a commemoration of Bradford’s time and accomplishments during his prep baseball career at Aledo.
While retiring his number came as a surprise to Bradford, for coach Barry it’s been an aspiration from early in his coaching career he hoped to fulfill one day.
“I’ve kind of had that in my mind as long as I’ve been coaching,” coach Barry recalled. “If I ever had a kid that made it to the majors, I almost felt like that was worthy of retiring a number. And then winning a World Series on top of that in your rookie season, I think it’s got to happen.”
When Bradford called early in the morning the day before he made his Major League debut back in May, coach Barry knew the time had come. He just couldn’t have imagined the ride this season would be from May to November.
“At that point, I felt like the things I want for this program, and the things I want the kids to get out of this program, he was an example of when he was here,” the coach stated. “He wasn’t necessarily the best athlete. He wasn’t necessarily the best player. But, you weren’t going to find anybody that was going to outwork him. Somebody that believed in himself, somebody that managed his time well, that put in the time.
“Whatever he did, he worked very hard at to try to be the best he could be. That time, effort, and work ethic, you’re seeing the fruits of that labor. To me, that right there is exactly why I do what I do.
“I couldn’t be more happy for him. Nobody deserves it more than him,” coach Barry added.
Bradford is currently taking some time off before ramping up his off-season program in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, Bearcat baseball will start preseason practice shortly after the first of the year.
With Aledo baseball players lining the basepath, Bradford offered some encouragement before heading into the upcoming season.
“Good luck to those guys,” Bradford said. “I hope they work really hard when people are watching and work even harder when people aren’t watching. That’s what really makes the difference in high school and to make it to the next level.
“Hard work can take you a long way. If you put your trust in the right places – put your trust in God – He can open up an infinite amount of doors that you never thought was going to happen.”
In addition to the announcement by coach Barry, two more announcements were made.
Aledo High School is starting a scholarship in his name. It will go to a baseball player annually with the best grade point average.
Also, proceeds from T-shirt sales at Monday’s event will benefit the Miracle League of DFW. It was the charity of choice by the Bradfords.
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