Brad Tweedlie

Bradley Charles Tweedlie

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 210 lb.
• School Western Carolina University
• High School Enfield High School

• Born December 9, 1971 in Long Beach, CA USA

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Brad Tweedlie played in the minors from 1993 to 1999, and then briefly in Nippon Pro Baseball. While he was born in California, he grew up in Enfield, CT and went to high school there. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 3rd round of the 1993 amateur draft, out of Western Carolina University and begane his pro career that year with the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League, going 3-3, 4.30. In his next two seasons, when he was used as a swingman, he struggled, with ERAs of 8.55 between the Charleston Wheelers and the Winston-Salem Spirits in 1994, and 6.16 with Charleston in 1995.

He was moved to the bullpen full-time starting in 1996 but continued to struggle in the Carolina League with Winston-Salem at the start of the season, with a record of 1-5, 6.67 in 33 games, although he did record 11 saves. Still, the Boston Red Sox must have liked something about him as they acquired him in a trade on July 30th, along with Roberto Mejia, in return for OF Kevin Mitchell. And indeed, he immediately began to pitch better, going 2-0, 0.79 with another 7 saves in 11 games for the Sarasota Red Sox of the Florida State League to complete the season. Whereas his K/W ratio had been 22/22 at Winston-Salem, it improved to 9/3 in 11 1/3 innings for Sarasota. He then spent the next three seasons, from 1997 to 1999, in the Eastern League with the Trenton Thunder, but was once again plagued by high ERAs as he posted marks of 5.77 and 5.93 the first two years. He was better in 1999, improving to3.65, to go along with a 6-0 record and 3 saves in 44 games.

Based on that performance, he was signed by the Kintetsu Buffaloes of the Pacific League, but after suffering an injury and losing his best weapon, his fastball, he only appeared in one game in 2000, allowing 5 runs on 4 hits and a walk without retiring anyone, giving him an infinite ERA for his career across the Pacific Ocean. He decided to retire rather than undergo a shoulder operation and a long rehabilitation. In retirement, he returned to Enfield and started a landscaping business. He also served as a pitching coach for his former high school as well as at East Granby High School, where his former high school coach was now working.

Further Reading

• Tim Jensen: "Meet Some Local Ex-Pro Ballplayers: Brad Tweedlie, Enfield", The Enfield Patch, February 14 2022. [1]