Alex Bregman Explains Family Link To Red Sox Great Ted Williams

Alex Bregman spent his first nine seasons with the Houston Astros, but the 30-year-old has always had a lifelong tie to the Boston Red Sox — and an interesting one.

Bregman’s grandfather, Stan Bregman, was a lawyer and chief legal counsel for the Washington Senators and helped the franchise lure Red Sox legend Ted Williams to manage the club in the early 1970s. Williams spent four seasons at the helm and Bregman’s father, Sam Bregman, too, shared a few moments with “Teddy Ballgame.”

“My dad grew up sitting on Ted Williams’ lap,” Bregman told reporters Sunday, as seen on NESN. “So honestly, I hadn’t really thought of (ever playing for the Red Sox) in the last little while. … It’s really cool.”

The Red Sox drafted Bregman in the 29th round of the 2012 MLB draft, but the New Mexico native instead elected to attend college at LSU. There, Bregman catapulted his value as a prospect and three years later got selected second overall in the first round of the 2015 draft by the Astros. Bregman’s belief in himself paid off as he went on to become a pivotal cornerstone behind four Houston World Series appearances for a nearly decade-long run, bringing him full circle back to Boston.

Bregman agreed to a three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox to close the door on a longer-than-expected free-agency period. The signing provides Boston with its much-needed right-handed bat, a longtime respected veteran with loads of postseason experience (99 games) and completes the franchise’s offseason on a strong note. Boston added starting pitching in the form of Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler and Patrick Sandoval, brought in relief flamethrower Aroldis Chapman and made Bregman its cherry-on-top signing.

It’s been four years since the Red Sox last booked a playoff appearance, and competing for championships is all Bregman did for most of his Houston stint.

Boston manager Alex Cora, who got his big league coaching start with Houston in 2017, alongside Bregman’s side for his first title, vouched for their reunion all offseason. Cora has spoken highly of Bregman for years, even comparing the two-time All-Star to another Red Sox legend: Dustin Pedroia.

“I think in 24 hours, his teammates, the coaching staff, the front office have seen why I’ve been talking about him for a long period of time,” Cora said, per NESN. “This kid gets it. He caught my attention in 2017 and throughout the years, he keeps evolving, he keeps getting better and the most important thing, he wants to win. That’s it. For him, it’s his family, it’s baseball and winning, and I’m excited to have him here now.”

Bregman hasn’t suited up in a Red Sox uniform officially, but like Williams, Bregman is a terror in the batter’s box at Fenway Park.

In 21 career games at Fenway Park, Bregman has slashed .375/.490/.750 with seven home runs, nine doubles and 15 RBIs. Bregman’s 1.240 OPS is the highest ever among players with at least 75 plate appearances at the 113-year-old ballpark, putting Bregman ahead of Hall of Famer Frank Robinson (1.118).

“The atmosphere is incredible,” Bregman said of Fenway Park. “Living on every pitch. Definitely a tough place to play on the road.”

Bregman will now prepare to call Fenway Park home, officially in a few weeks. In the meantime, Bregman and the Red Sox will continue undergoing spring training camp as the Boston newcomer gets acclimated with his new teammates and coaches.