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)

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Milton Bradley

Milton Bradley. Oh, Milton! We have witnessed the return to your old ways. Bashing Gatorade machines (much like your fellow Cub teammates, great camaraderie), screaming in the dugout, and on, and on. Lou Piniella had enough and sent Bradley home early. Or, in Lou’s own words, “I told him to take his uniform off. He threw his helmet and smashed the water cooler and there was water flying all over. I told him to take his uniform off and go home. I followed him up to the clubhouse and we exchanged some words. I don't like when those things happen, but I was tired of watching it." Lou Piniella also said Bradley's actions have been a "common occurrence." Well, that is just Bradley, but you have to draw a line in the sand somewhere. "I've looked the other way a lot and I'm done with it,” Piniella said. Well, I hope the Cubs are also done with it. I know I am. I believe that Cubs management needs to lay down the law to Mr. Milton Bradley. Fine him, suspend him, and move on. Team fines are easy to levy, but I think (I think) for a team suspension of an active player, you have to place him on the restricted list. If Bradley was placed on the RL (restricted list), the team wouldn’t have to pay him, so I think a two-day RL trip would suffice. Unfortunately, Bradley hitting well against lefties this season and the Sox are scheduled to start two lefties the next two games in Mark Buehrle and John Danks. (The Cubs are also on track to face Pirates lefty Zach Duke on Monday the 29th.)


More from Carrie Muskat

More from the Trib/Paul Sullivan
On Milton being all alone in the world

On Milton leaving


More from Bruce Miles/The Daily Herald

More from Gordon Wittenmyer/The Sun-Times


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Around the News - Lowe Style

Here are some articles and links I found interesting:

All City Baseball Announcers


http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-26-cubs-white-sox-broadcastejun26,0,2259566.story?obref=obinsite

By Dan McGrath | Tribune staff reporter | June 26, 2009

TV play-by-play: Len Kasper, Cubs.

TV analysis: Steve Stone, White Sox.

Radio play-by-play: Pat Hughes, Cubs.

Radio analysis: Bob Brenly, Cubs.

3 out of 4 Cubs is great and as an added bonus, Stone was the Cubs TV analyst for years and years.

The Ricketts Deal is allegedly progressing
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-cubs-sale-momentum-090626-,0,670429.story

Reinsdorf has made a bid for an NHL team according to sources
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/chi-27-reinsdorf-jun27,0,1273128.story

Apple flip flops on 'Hottest Girl' app
http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/iphone/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=218101614

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