Bradley George Boxberger is an active Major League Baseball player who pitched for the San Diego Padres (2012-2013), Tampa Bay Rays (2014-2017), Arizona Diamondbacks (2018) and Kansas City Royals (2019-today). Brad, his nickname, was originally drafted out of Foothill High School by the Kansas City Royals in the 20th round of the 2006 Baseball Draft , but chose to play baseball at the University of Southern California . Rod Boxberger, Brad's dad, also played baseball at USC , winning the Most Outstanding Player of the 1978 College World Series, and getting drafted in the first round on of the 1978 draft ! Like father, like son: Brad matched his dad when the Cincinnati Reds (pictured below on his rookie card) selected him in the first round of the 2009 draft !

Brad Boxberger Rookie Card | 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Baseball Card (#BDPP96)
Baseball Almanac Collection

Did you know that Brad Boxberger threw an immaculate inning ( 9 Pitches — 9 Strikes — 3 Outs ) on May 8, 2014 , one of the rarest pitching feats in baseball history? Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price had loaded the bases in the sixth inning, Boxy relieved him, then threw exactly nine pitches, nine were strikes, and Price commented after the game, "If ever I leave the game with runners on, Box is the guy I want to come in. That was incredible. I don't know if that's ever been done in baseball, coming in with the bases loaded, nobody out, and throwing nine strikes and getting three punch-outs. That could be a part of history and I really appreciate it." The historic video:

Brad Boxberger Immaculate Inning | May 8, 2014 | MLB Advanced Media, L.P.

Did you know that Brad Boxberger, on August 25, 2018 , became the first player in Major League to spell his name in emoji on his jersey during a regular season game? During Players' Weekend, the ballplayers are allowed to customize their jersey, gloves, and spikes. Boxberger, instead of using his name, had a box emoji and burger emoji on the back of his jersey (image below), making some unique baseball history .

In 2015, Brad Boxberger led every American League pitcher in games saved ( Top 25 ), besting some elite closers including Huston Street , Zach Britton , Andrew Miller , and Greg Holland .