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Milton Bradley’s rocky moments with Chicago Cubs — chicagotribune.com

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Here’s the article written by the Trib’s Paul Sullivan:

April 16: After getting standing ovation at Wrigley Field before his first home at-bat, Bradley is called out on strikes and ejected by plate umpire Larry Vanover, who alleges Bradley made contact with bill of his cap. Later suspended by MLB for infraction.

April 22: Booed by Cubs fans for not running out ground ball in his first start at home, then refuses to talk to media afterward.

April 23: Asked how his injured groin feels after game, Bradley cracks, “I feel like 30 million bucks” while walking away from reporters.

May 24 : Tells Tribune that umpires have vendetta against him: ” ‘We’re going to get him any time we can. As soon as he gets two strikes, we’re going to call whatever and see what he does. Let’s try to ruin Milton Bradley.’ “

June 12: Throws ball into bleachers after making two-out catch against Twins, allowing run to score. “Sue me,” he defiantly says afterward.

June 26: Tells Tribune he feels like he’s “afloat on an island” because his teammates have isolated him: “They say all the right things, but it’s just b.s.” Later creates dugout scene after popout and gets into confrontation with manager Lou Piniella, who calls him “piece of (expletive)” and sends him home.

July 12: Declares himself “back” after poor first half and says “negative” media is only thing stopping Cubs: “Don’t read the newspaper. Don’t watch TV. Just play, because we have everything we need right here. If we stay together in here, cut out all the outside b.s., we’ll be fine. There’s way too much hoopla, there’s way too much talk. There’s way too much speculation.”

Aug. 26 : Suggests he has been victim of racial abuse in interview with beat writers. Asked for specifics, he facetiously shouts: “America doesn’t believe in racism.” Also rips Chicago waiters for “bad-mouthing” him.

Sept. 17: Takes himself out of game without pinch runner ready, refuses to answer questions afterward, repeating: “What else ya got? What else ya got?”

Sept. 19: Takes himself out of starting lineup and refuses to pinch-hit, leading to heated confrontation with hitting coach Von Joshua. Beforehand, he complained of “negativity” in organization in Daily Herald interview.

Sept. 20: Suspended for final 15 games and sent home by GM Jim Hendry. Cubs players stand by Hendry’s decision. “Sometimes you just have to look in the mirror and realize that maybe the biggest part of the problem is yourself,” Ryan Dempster says.

Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune

December 17: Milton is no longer a Cub!!!!
Thankfully we no longer have this cancer in our clubhouse, bad mouthing Cub fans. The $9 million dollars we received from the Mariners is worth it alone, not even including Carlos Silva. I’m partial to Silva because althought he’s been a dismal signing for the Mariners and has an even worse contract than Bradley, he at least has some upside. Plus he is a fomer Minnesota Twin, and to once belong to that organization is a value. I mean even if this guy is terrible, we push him to our bullpen or release him, although since this was Hendry’s mistake he may put more time into developing a project. Either way, the best news I’ve heard all year is the whiny, self-centered, undesercving Milton Bradley is no longer blessed to play in Wrigley Field in front of the greatest fans in the world. WE DESERVE BETTER, Cub fans!!!

Happy Offseason,
-S

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