More on Milton Bradley

More on the Bradley confrontation from Paul Sullivan in a Trib blog.

The Cubs are claiming the spat is over and I believe it is. Bradley and Piniella both did/said things in a situation ripe for confrontation and ended up having a confrontation.

Milton Bradley spoke to Cubs beat reporters before Saturday’s game and confirmed that manager Lou Piniella called him a "piece of [expletive]" during their confrontation Friday at U.S. Cellular Field.


To me, Bradley is masking his feelings for the comment. I think Bradley does truly respect Lou Piniella as a manager and it has been a struggle (from the left side of the plate) for Bradley that he hasn't really faced before, so I believe the comment does "hurt" Bradley.

"The last time someone called me a piece of [expletive] I tore my ACL," Bradley said, referring to an argument with umpire Mike Winters at the end of the 2007 season. "So, I mean, I've learned how to deal with that. I'm fine. You know, it's Lou Piniella."

In my opinion it was more a heat of the moment thing (Bradley & Lou), although I believe Bradley did deserve some strong, pointed, and choice words to describe his behavior. As for Milton comparing it to the Mike Winters thing, I think the situations are totally different and in a way it is Bradley again being self-centered in his comparison. Bradley is basically trying to say he has all this new found restraint. Bradley, if you have restraint I suppose it was shown in not reacting to Lou's comment, but what you did to Winters was unprofessional just as what Winters said to you was conduct totally unbecoming of an umpire and the Winters situation has no real merit in comparison to this Piniella spat.

"To me, Lou Piniella is somebody. If its a motivating tactic and he's taking a different switch since people are saying he didn't have fire, then I understand. I take a lot of heed in what he has to say. It matters. I take it to heart and I'm better for it."


That quote right there makes me have a new respect for Bradley. To me it shaves off some of his cry baby attitude and shows that he really is trying to deal with all the pressure of playing (and struggling) for the Cubs.

In regards to the gatorade cooler thing, Bradley had this to say:
Has Bradley been singled out for something that teammates Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster and Carlos Marmol have also done?

"Like I've said, I don't have the same set of rules as other people," he said. "I've committed mistakes in my past to where you don't get the leeway other guys might get. To a certain extent, I guess that's fair."

It has been a pattern with you Milton, even for little things. Then the Sully post goes on to describe Bradley's 3 or 4 broken helmets this year.

Bradley said he has broken 3-4 helmets this year, adding "it's nothing drastic."

Maybe I don't know baseball equipment, but it sounds a tad high to me. I mean how many helmets do you get per year? I know its the majors but I think you would try not to waste so many helmets.

Bradley said he and Piniella still have a relationship and have no problems and I believe Bradley when he says that. Lou spoke in the heat of the moment and he did apologize to Milton so I'm sure the two have hashed things out.

Lastly, some people in the Cubs organization think White Sox security/clubhouse guys may have leaked the p.o.s. (piece of sh-t) comment to the media.

The Cubs are concerned over alleged leaking of the confrontation between Bradley and Lou Piniella by White Sox security. The Sox are denying the accusations. Is Bradley upset it was leaked?

"Usually people who work in clubhouses don't quote things to reporters," he said. "That's part of [their] job. Players say things every day that no one would want to read in the papers -- managers, coaches. It's part of the game. If you're going to have some kind of an exchange like that, there are going to be swear words, and there's going to probably be regrets. As long as the two men hash it out together that's what's important, and you move on."

Now I don't agree with any type of leak like that although as a fan I love the gossip aspect of it and seeing as how Bradley and Piniella seem to have hashed things out, I think all is well...well, except for the Cubs overall disappointment this year.

The Sox won today, so we've got to get back on the horse of victory tomorrow.

Final Score: 8-7 White Sox > Cubs.
Winning pitcher: Bobby Jenks Losing Pitcher: Sean Marshall (his baserunner even though Ascanio gave up the final hit)

Lowe