MLB Babble

In yesterday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cub Milton Bradley was told to strip out of his uniform and leave the game by manager Lou Piniella. In the top of the sixth inning, Bradley flied out to left field. He then came into the dugout and attacked the water cooler and threw his helmet. Piniella, witness to the incident, approached Bradley and told him to leave the field. He then followed him down the tunnel and exchanged further words.

After the game, Piniella said, “This has been a common occurrence and I’ve looked the other way a lot and I’m tired…” But Piniella went on to say that Bradley will be in the lineup tomorrow.

Yesterday I talked about how closers’ inappropriate elation on the mound detracts from the game. As much as I stand by that claim, I believe Bradley’s tantrum is representative of an even bigger problem in baseball. K-Rod at least accomplished something; Bradley erred and did not know how to control his rage.

This is unacceptable. If you make an out, you go into the dugout, you go out to the field, you talk to your teammates about the pitcher, you do whatever you have to do, so that next time you step up to the plate you are better prepared to face the pitcher. Throwing helmets and taking out the proverbial water cooler solve nothing.

And just like the K-Rod thing, you’re disrespecting the game; that’s the biggest offense. People criticized Ken Griffey Jr. when he turned his hat around during batting practice because it was a slap in the face to the traditional game of baseball. That may be, but it pales in comparison to the offenses of the Mets closer and the Cubs right fielder.

Bradley has a reputation in baseball for his short temper. This is a guy who has been accused of throwing his bat at umpires and attempting to charge into press boxes to ‘speak’ with announcers, among other allegations.

Bradley has much talent. He is a very good fielder, a competent hitter, and a solid base runner. But he is a cancer. Just as the Philles dealt Scott Rolen because he was poisoning the clubhouse and, more famously, the Red Sox dealt Manny Ramirez for his notorious actions, Bradley needs to be dealt as well. The way Piniella spoke of him, you can tell the two do not have a good relationship. And I doubt that, all of a sudden, Milton Bradley is going to change his ways.

But he must. For it is just a matter of time before the Cubs’ brass is fed up. And then he will have to move on to another team. And don’t think he won’t bring his poison with him.

The saga is never-ending with cancers like Milton Bradley.