Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. plans to debut a new look for Saturday’s game against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park.
Bradley told WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford on Thursday’s episode of “The Bradfo Show” podcast that his Red Sox teammates have convinced him to unbraid his trademark cornrows in favor of an afro. The 24-year-old hasn’t gotten his haircut in almost two years, so the change should be an extremely noticeable one.
“A lot of the guys on the team have talked with me and they want to see the ‘fro,” Bradley told Bradford. “They want to see what the hair looks like when it’s out and untamed, so you have to give them when they ask for.
“It’s going to be epic. I’m looking forward to showing you all what it looks like,” Bradley added. “I’ll make sure that it’s blow dried out for you, because I have curly hair, so if I wash it, it’s not going to look as big. But if I dry it and actually pick it out, it has some distance.”
Bradley always had short hair growing up. The former first-round pick admitted Thursday that he tried to grow out his hair several times when he was younger but failed because he always reached an “awkward stage” in which he no longer could deal with the burden.
Now, Bradley says, long hair is part of who he is. And he can’t wait to unleash the ‘fro, even if it might create somewhat of a hassle when it comes to finding the appropriate headwear.
“There’s definitely going to be adjustments,” Bradley said. “I did the Juan Pierre-style — as in the hat under the helmet — because early on in the season my helmet was falling off a lot. I tried to make some adjustments, and having the hat under my helmet, it worked. It kept my helmet on for the most part.
“Now with the hair out, I’m going to have to get a different hat size, different helmet size and the helmet might come off, but good thing I have a lot of hair to protect it.”
Bradley could have busted out the new hairdo at any point, but Saturday’s game against the Tigers was selected for the big debut because John Lackey — one of the biggest advocates of the style change — will be on the bump for Boston.
“Whatever the cowboy says, he gets,” Bradley said.
