The Milton Bradley-Lou Piniella brouhaha erupted and then more or less resolved itself over the weekend, with the name-calling apparently ending on Saturday and the rapprochement beginning (now they're searching for the leaks). But before we let all of that go, I have to focus for a second on one part of this, and that's one of the things cited in Saturday's Sun-Times article detailing the meltdown:
From the front office to the clubhouse, Cubs personnel sympathize with Bradley's frustration, and nobody blames him for struggling. But an apparent preoccupation with his individual issues over the team's efforts to shake a first-half malaise has worn on teammates, even down to things as simple as working close pitches for walks with runners on base when putting the ball in play with less than two outs might score a rare and needed run.
Is this really a valid reason to be angry at Bradley? That he's trying to get on base? It's be one thing if he were ignoring bunt signs or something (not that I'd bunt with Bradley, but hey, directions are directions) but trying to get on base is pretty much an unequivocal positive, isn't it?
I think the final takeaway from all of this is that, for all of his craziness, there is a pretty rational and self-aware dude somewhere inside of Milton Bradley. Here he is on Saturday, when asked whether Piniella's yelling at him was unfair given that there are a lot of hotheads on that Cubs team:
"Like I've said, I don't have the same set of rules as other people. 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."
(thanks to reader Arun Gupta for catching the on-base bit)
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what a yahoo...but I'm glad the Cubbies have to deal with him
No, no, no! Craig! Bad blogger! Bad blogger! Large city newspaper columnists know better than you! They have clubhouse sources and stuff!! Hasn't Geoff Baker taught you anything??
Bad Craig! Bad!
It's the Cubs, who cares. It'll just be another excuse in their big box of excuses for why the didn't win anything this year.
Yes, it's a valid reason to be angry with Bradley. He's not paid $7M a year to watch good pitches go by and draw walks. There are cheaper options if you want a guy who can get on base. A high OBP is great, but walks rarely drive in runs, which the Cubs are seriously lacking. Why was he signed? To be a left-handed bat in the middle of the order to drive in runs, not take his base and hope the next guy can do it. Besides, if Lee is batting behind him it's gonna be a double play anyway...
The Cubs are horrible with RISP this year, and I think it's because the attitude is to draw walks rather than swing the bat. But, maybe he'll turn it around and have a monster second half. Lee has been hitting well lately after a horrible start, and Ramirez should be back soon. I understand that Bradley is still "adjusting" to the NL, but we're almost at the All-Star break now and he hasn't shown any improvement.
Umm, dude - you don't walk on "good pitches." That was kind of Craig's point.
Unless you're being sarcastic, in which case more humor would be a good idea.
If you don't have anyone to hit behind you then you will draw more walks. Swinging at borderline pitches is not a good strategy just to try and 'make something happen'. Take the walks and put the pressue on the pitcher. This crappy team has way more issues that Bradley. Look at their bullpen.
he's an animal!!!!
we could have had soooo many other guys. why the hell did we sign him!
The same sentiment has been brewing in Oakland for the past several years. Since 2002 (when Fangraphs' batted ball data began) here's how the A's have ranked in MLB in % of swings at pitches out of the zone: 1st, 8th (T), 2nd, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 3rd. Many A's fans are also tired of watching players taking pitches with runners on base, and I can understand the argument. Obviously, getting on base is great. But it can be frustrating to watch Jack Cust or Milton Bradley draw walks with a runner on third and less than two outs late in a one-run game.
Then again, if you watch a game while watching PitchFx, you'll see the various angles from centerfield are deceiving, and taken pitches that appear hittable often aren't.
I think most Cubs fans disliked this deal from the get-go. So there was no honeymoon period for him. Just a courthouse wedding and then back to the Wafflehouse for work.
Why did they get rid of DeRosa and sign this clown?
Go Brewers!!!
I used to think Jim Hendry was the best GM the Cubs ever had. I still say that's true and explains why the Cubs have not won a World Series in over 100 years. Look at his "high profile" signings...Soriano - mediocre and a head case of sorts, Bradley, a monsterous headcase. They overshadow his success with Lilly. The Cubs have the third highest payroll in baseball and a proven manager. No more excuses...just win or get the hell out!
I hope Bradley can straighten himself out. The Cubs offensive production is way down from last season. I know Ramirez is coming back in July, but you can't wait till he gets back. The Cubs need him swinging the bat with authority. They are paying him big bucks. I hope he has a better 2nd half of the year.
Bradley is a 'bad seed' and poison to any ballclub he has been on. His antics in Los Angeles were unacceptable. He doesnt accept responsibility for his actions and never has. He needs professional help and he wears out his welcome in any city. What a shame for an athlete who has great skills. Grow up Milton...get the help you need and change your damn attitude!
As a Texas Ranger fan, the Cubs can give him back to us if they don't want him! He was great for Texas last year and lord knows we can use his bat this year. Waive him and let us take him back!!