Vince Bradford played 2 pro baseball seasons, then football

Vince Bradford played his first two professional seasons and looked around. The outfielder saw himself behind his teammates. He also saw himself moving to a different sport, football, according to The Tulsa World.

"I think I was just a little bit behind and I realized that I couldn't catch up," Bradford told The World in September 1996. "I realized it would be better for me to stop playing baseball and come back to football, which I think I was better at."

Bradford returned to football and to college, going to the University of Arkansas to play linebacker. Bradford went on to play football in Europe. He never saw the majors - or the NFL.

Bradford's career began in 1990, taken by the Tigers in the third round of the draft out of Malvern High School in Arkansas.

Coming out of Malvern, Bradford gained enough attention to be thought of as a first-round pick. His football interest - and a letter of intent he signed to go to Arkansas - led him to drop to the third round.

Bradford's baseball prowess also gained him notice from a baseball card manufacturer. Bradford made the 1990 Little Sun High School Prospects set. The card noted his football achievements, making All-State all four years in the sport. He also excelled in track and basketball.

Bradford signed with the Tigers and started at rookie Bristol. In 52 games, he hit just .100, knocking in a single run. He returned for 1991 but did little better. He hit .128, ending his brief baseball career.

Bradford soon found himself at Arkansas playing weekside linebacker. After his eligibility maxed out, Bradford got invited to NFL camp, but he didn't make a roster.

Bradford then went on to play in NFL Europe, joining the Rhein Fire from 1998 to 2000.

• Tulsa World, Sept. 15, 1996:Gridirons, Diamonds Far Apart for Bradford

More: The 1990 Bristol Tigers

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,437
Made the Majors: 995-40.8%
Never Made Majors:1,442-59.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 415
10+ Seasons in the Minors:252

More 1990 Minor Leaguers:

 - Denis Boucher played in majors for Blue Jays, Expos, 1/19/18
 - Eric Boudreaux played 6 seasons, made AAA with Phillies, 2/11/11
 - Rafael Bournigal played good defense, saw 7 ML seasons, 11/5/18

 - Mark Bowden started, relieved over decade in pros, 2/13/15
 - Ryan Bowen earned reputation as hard-luck majors pitcher, 1/5/12
 - Brent Bowers made bigs, coached, resigned in ump matter, 1/22/17
 - Jim Bowie saw 6 ML games with Athletics over 12 seasons, 7/25/10

 - Joe Boyce hit big Boise HR, saw 5 seasons over decade, 11/4/23

 - Tommy Boyce had big night for Salt Lake, saw 3 seasons, 4/10/22
 - Clete Boyer played in bigs, coached, had game perception, 4/13/11