He was the brother of MLB catcher, shortstop, manager and coach Bobby Bragan, also a minor league president.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Jimmy Bragan attended Mississippi State University and signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950.

When his eight-year playing career ended, he became the manager of the Class D Bluefield Dodgers in 1957 and then joined the Cincinnati Reds organization as a scout.

He remained a scout with the Reds through 1966 and then joined the major league club as first base coach from 1967–69 on the staff of Dave Bristol.

The league subsequently created the Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year Award in his honor.