Dan Connolly

Know Your O’s: Brad Brach on the Padres, his wife’s music career, Springsteen and pizza

By Dan Connolly

Posted on June 27, 2016

In his three seasons in Baltimore, Brad Brach has not only become a key member of the Orioles’ bullpen, he’s become one of the best relievers in baseball.

Through his first 34 games this season, he allowed just five earned runs (1.05 ERA). As an Oriole, the 6-foot-6, 30-year-old right-hander is 17-5 with a 2.49 ERA in various bullpen roles.

His under-the-radar acquisition in November 2013 – the San Diego Padres traded him to the Orioles for minor leaguer Devin Jones, who is out of pro baseball – is one of the best moves of the Dan Duquette Era.

In this segment of “Know Your O’s,” Brach talks about his return to Petco Park this week for the first time since being traded by the Padres.

Brach was born and raised in Freehold, New Jersey. So it’s inevitable that we also would discuss pizza and Bruce Springsteen, Freehold’s most famous son.

The music discussion doesn’t end there, though. Brach and I talk about his favorite performer, pop-country singer/songwriter Jenae Cherry, Brach’s wife. The reliever tells the story about when he first met her in Nashville – it’s pretty funny, knowing his personality – and the song she wrote for him on their wedding day.

Brach reveals a little bit about his own musical career; he’s a recorded artist of sorts.

Take a look.