BOSTON -- Jackie Bradley Jr. forged a bond with South Carolina Gamecocks faithful through three years of understated leadership, fence-climbing defense and College World Series highlights amid team forays to Omaha, Nebraska, steakhouses. So it's no surprise that when he encountered some growing pains in his transition to the Boston Red Sox outfield, his former mentor tried to extend a helping hand.
During Bradley's lengthy stretch of sub-.200 hitting in 2015, former South Carolina coach-turned-athletic director Ray Tanner reached out with regular texts and phone calls to inquire about the kid's mental state. He was always available with an encouraging word or an offer to listen in the event that all those 4-3 rollovers and soft pop flies were preying on Bradley's emotions.