James Joseph Brady Jr. (March 2, 1936 – August 18, 2024) was an American economist, university educator and administrator, and pitcher in professional baseball.

[2] As a baseball player, the 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), 185 lb (84 kg) Brady was signed off his college campus as an undergraduate by the Detroit Tigers as a $37,500 "bonus baby" in 1955.

Detroit's farm system director, John McHale, was a Notre Dame alumnus and Brady promised his father he would return to college to complete his education when he signed his contract.

[2] Under the terms of the bonus rule then in effect, however, Brady was forced to spend the first two years of his pro career on a Major League roster.

Nicknamed "Diamond Jim" because of his bonus status, Brady missed the 1955 season due to an injury, then made his MLB debut on May 12, 1956, hurling a perfect ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox in a 7–6 loss at Briggs Stadium.